Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Maxwell, David Harvey, 1786-1854 and Maxwell, James Darwin, 1815-1892
- Abstract:
- The Maxwell mss., 1811-1852, consists of the papers of David Hervey Maxwell, 1786-1854, physician and trustee of Indiana University.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (1 standard)
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Maxwell mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
David Hervey Maxwell, 1786-1854, was a physician and trustee of Indiana University. He was born on September 17, 1786 at Maxwell's Station in the Kentucky Territory, the son of Bazaleel and Margaret Anderson Maxwell. He was educated in Danville, Kentucky and studied medicine under Dr. Ephraim McDowell. On September 21, 1809 he married Mary E. Dunn, and in 1810 they moved from the Kentucky Territory to the Indiana Territory. Maxwell served as a surgeon during the War of 1812 and practiced medicine in Hanover and Madison, Indiana until 1819, when he moved to Bloomington. Maxwell served as a delegate to the 1816 convention to determine Indiana's statehood, and he also played an active role in shaping Indiana's Constitution. A former slave owner, he advocated for the prohibition of slavery in Indiana as well as for the establishment of a state education system. He later lobbied for the State Seminary to be located in Bloomington, Indiana, earning him the nickname "Father of Indiana University." From 1835-1836, he was a member of the State Board of Internal Improvements. Maxwell also served as Postmaster of Bloomington from May 31, 1841 to December 30, 1845, as well as from 1849-1852. He was a member of the IU Board of Trustees from 1820-1837 and 1839-1852; he also served as president of the board from 1820-1837 and 1841-1852. He died in Bloomington on May 24, 1854 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.
- Scope and Content:
The papers consist principally of letters, contracts, etc., 1836-1838, in connection with his work as President of the state board of Internal Improvement. Included are letters from John Beard, Thomas Holdsworth Blake, David Burr, John G. Clendenin, Isaac Coe, John Douglass, Daniel R. Dunihue, Robert Henry Fauntleroy, Mason C. Fitch, James Galletly, Samuel Hall, William Hendricks, William Hendricks, Jr., Tilghman Ashurst Howard, George L. Kinnard, Jonathan Knight, John Locke, Williamson Dunn Maxwell, B. F. Moore, James Morrison, Noah Noble, William Tod Otto, Robert Dale Owen, H. M. Pettit, John Sering, Daniel Sigler, Jesse Lynch Williams, and John Johnston Woodburn. Also included are Maxwell's records, 1825-1829, and 1849-1852, as Postmaster of Bloomington, Indiana; a few letters relating to Indiana University; and some personal papers, chiefly bills and receipts.
Some papers of and relating to James Darwin Maxwell, 1815-1892, physician, trustee of Indiana University, and son of David Hervey Maxwell are also in the collection. Among the papers is a memorandum book of accounts, prescriptions, and a trip to Philadelphia and attendance at Jefferson Medical College, 1836-1844. The trip to Philadelphia and attendance at the medical school has been published in the Indiana Magazine of History, XLVI, pp. 74-81, March 1950.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged following original order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Stacks
Indexed Terms
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Maxwell mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu