The Bicknell mss., 1828-1881, are the papers of George Augustus Bicknell, 1815-1891, of New Albany, Indiana, professor of law at Indiana University, 1861-1870, and a member of Congress from Indiana, 1877-1881.

Among the papers are a volume of his poems, 1828-1844; three of his diaries, 1833-1836, one of which is an account of a trip through the Middle West; a treatise on privity in all its branches, 1838; a volume containing a list of plants grown at his New Albany home and other garden records, 1859-1873; speech delivered before the Bible Society of the First Presbyterian Church, New Albany, Indiana, 1871; address to young men on religious, moral, and political duties; lecture on the teachings of the Bible in regard to slavery; eulogy on Judge John Steele Davis, who died on July 6, 1880; speeches made as a congressman relating to the Geneva award, 1878; amending the constitution for the election of president and vice-president by a direct vote of the people, 1881; treaty-making power; increasing commercial relations between the United States and the Argentine Republic; and interest on tonnage duties. Included are also a private log on naval life and a China cruise, 1866-1867, by his son George Augustus Bicknell, 1846-1925, rear admiral; questions and answers dealing with sailing vessels and a list of officers attached to the USS Potomac by Henry Logan Chipman, 1833-1839; a letter from Elisha Hallowell, 1858, to Bicknell; and a letter from Horace Heffren to the committee on pensions, 1879.