Collection ID: C69
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Collection context

Summary

Abstract:
William Lowe Bryan was an Indiana University alumnus, professor, and president. This collection includes correspondence, genealogical information, notes, a single journal from 1886, and published and unpublished writings and speeches. Correspondents include family and friends as well as numerous well-known political figures such as Winston Churchill, U.S. Senator Homer Capehart and Eleanor Roosevelt. Frequent correspondents include brother Enoch Albert Bryan, Frank and Sara S. Elliott, Evangeline Lewis, Ruth McNutt, and Herman B Wells.
Extent:
6 cubic feet (6 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English unless otherwise indicated.
Preferred citation:

[Item], William Lowe Bryan papers, Collection C69, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

William Julian Bryan was born 11 November 1860 in Monroe County to John Bryan, a Presbyterian minister, and Eliza Jane Phillips Bryan. After attending the public schools in the county, Bryan entered the Preparatory Department of Indiana University in 1877. While a student at IU, he was active in many activities, including the university baseball team (where he earned his letter) and the student newspaper, The Daily Student. He graduated in 1884 with a degree in ancient classics. Following graduation, he was appointed English instructor in the Preparatory Department. Within a few months he was invited to join the faculty of the Greek Department and in 1885 he was named Associate Professor of Philosophy.

Bryan continued his studies and in 1886 he received his Master's degree in Philosophy. His interests shifted to psychology, however, and from 1886-1887 he went to Germany to study at the University of Berlin. When he returned he was named full professor and granted money to conduct research on human reaction times. Bryan opened the Indiana University Psychological Laboratory in January 1888. In 1891, Bryan decided to study under G. Stanley Hall at Clark University and received his PhD in psychology in 1892. Bryan went on to become a leader in the movement for the scientific study of children.

Upon returning to IU after his studies with Hall, he was appointed Vice- President of the University. In 1902 he was named the tenth President of the University. Bryan oversaw the development of the institution for 35 years. During his tenure the schools of medicine, education, nursing, business, music, and dentistry were established, in addition to many graduate programs and several satellite campuses throughout the state. During his presidency, the university grew from 1,335 students and 65 faculty members to 7,005 students and 330 faculty members.

Bryan married Charlotte Lowe in July, 1889. They took one another's names and thereafter Bryan was William Lowe Bryan. Charlotte graduated with a Bachelor's in Greek in June 1889. After their marriage, she continued to study on her own and collaborated with Bryan on two volumes of selections from Plato for teachers. Throughout her life, Charlotte was often ill and Bryan frequently turned down social invitations so that he could stay with his wife. Charlotte died in 1948, shortly before her 81st birthday. Bryan passed away in 1955 at the age of 95.

Scope and Content:

The William Lowe Bryan papers comprise 6 cubic feet organized into three series: Correspondence, 1883-1955; Memoirs, remembrances, and misc., 1830-1960; and Writings and speeches, 1885-1955.

The Correspondence series is by far the largest series of the collection and spans 1883-1955 and includes both incoming and outgoing correspondence, although the vast majority of the correspondence in the collection is that received by Bryan. Correspondents include family and friends as well as political figures, such as Winston Churchill, Indiana governors George Craig and Henry Schricker, U.S. Senator Homer Capehart and Eleanor Roosevelt. Prominent correspondents from Indiana University include Herman B Wells and his mother Bernice, Bill Armstrong, Joseph Franklin, George Heighway, Ruth McNutt, and Nellie Teeter.

The Memoirs, remembrances, and misc. series, 1830-1960, includes genealogical information, records of personal property, notes Bryan wrote so as not to forget certain events or situations, and a journal from 1886.

The final series, Writings and speeches, 1883-1955, consists of a small number of both published and unpublished writings and speeches by Dr. Bryan. Several of the writings are religious pieces, such as "Answer of Easter" and "Jesus Christ and the Roman Empire"

Acquisition information:
Accessions 3117 and 0785
Processing information:

Processed by Dina M. Kellams

Completed in 2001

Accession 0785 added in 2004

Online content

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], William Lowe Bryan papers, Collection C69, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-1127
archives@indiana.edu