Collections

William Gering was an associate professor of speech and theater at Indiana University South Bend from 1964 until his retirement in 1988. Beginning with his academic career as a graduate student at Indiana University in the early 1960s, Gering displayed an interest in researching the life and career of David Starr Jordan, Indiana University's President from 1885 to 1891. The collection consists of Gering's research notes and writings on Jordan. The research itself primarily focuses on the period of Jordan's life from his time enrolling as a student at Cornell University in 1869 to his 1891 departure from Indiana to become Stanford University's first President.

Materials relating to William Miles' 1992 documentary, Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II.

William R. Ringer graduated from Indiana University in 1920. After earning his JD at the University of Michigan, he went on to have a successful legal career. This small collection consists primarily of diaries and journals maintained while Ringer was an Indiana University student.

The Williams, Diane mss., ca. 1986-2008, include the correspondence, papers, and drafts of American short story writer, Diane Williams.

William "Bill" Shirk Poorman (born 1945) is a retired American escape artist, actor, entrepreneur, and longtime Indianapolis radio personality. He uses his middle name (also his mother's maiden name), Shirk, as his professional surname. He is frequently billed as the "Modern Day Houdini" for his elaborate and death-defying stunts. Between 1976 and 1980, Poorman set eight world records, including the fastest escape from a straitjacket and the fastest jail break. His work as an escape artist inspired him to write, produce, and star as a fictionalized version of himself in the 1983 film "The Escapist". This collection contains material related to the production of "The Escapist" and Poorman's career as an escape artist.

The Williams, Jonathan mss., 1738-1869, consist of letters and papers of Jonathan Williams, 1750-1815, merchant and soldier, grand-nephew of Benjamin Franklin and first superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The Williams, J.S. mss., 19th cent. consist of reminiscences of John Samuel Williams, 1857-1940, Indiana schoolteacher, titled Skeletons from a Homespunner's Closet.

The Williams, K.P. mss., 1820-1958, consists of letters and papers of Kenneth Powers Williams, 1887-1958, professor of mathematics at Indiana University and author of Lincoln Finds a General.

The Williams - Kuhn mss., 1921-1932, are the pen and ink cartoons of Gaar Williams, 1880-1935, and Charles H. Kuhn, 1892-1989, both cartoonists for The Indianapolis News at one time.

The Williamson, H. mss., 1924-1956, are letters from Henry Williamson, 1895-1977, author of Shallowford, North Devon, England, to Ann Thomas; writings by Williamson, and a Synopsis of the Years, 1931-1948, by Ann Thomas.

The Williamson mss., 1885-1940, consist of correspondence and papers of George Charles Williamson, 1858-1942, author, relating to the Sette of Odd Volumes, a London society of which Williamson was a member.

The Williams, Orlo mss., 1924-1952, are letters to Orlo Williams, 1883-1967, author, from Thomas Stearnes Eliot, 1888-1965, poet.

The Williams, Oscar mss., 1920-1966, consists primarily of correspondence, 1927-1966, notebooks, agreements, anthology material, poetry, and financial records of American poet and anthologist, Oscar Williams.

The Williams, R. mss., 1862-1866, are Civil War letters to and from Rudolph Williams, 1844?- , and William H. Rudulph, 1840?- , both of whom served in Company K, 111th regiment, Ohio infantry.

The Williams, Samuel mss., 1796-1919, consist of letters and papers of Samuel Williams, 1786-1859, and his son, Samuel Wesley Williams, 1827-1928.

The Williams, W.C. mss., 1909-1955, consist of letters from poet William Carlos Williams, 1883-1963, to his wife Florence (Herman) Williams, 1890-1976, during their courtship years and those periods of separation caused by travel or hospitalization.

The Williams, W.C. mss. II, 1913-1978, consist of letters from poet William Carlos Williams, 1883-1963, to his son William Eric Williams, 1914-1995, most of which were written while William Eric was a college student, and of letters to Williams's widow, Florence (Herman) Williams, 1890-1976, or to his publisher at New Directions Press, James Laughlin, 1914- , pertaining to requests for Williams material by editors and researchers.

The Williams, W.C. mss. III, 1884-1995, consist of letters to poet William Carlos Williams, 1883-1963, and his wife, Florence (Herman) Williams, 1890-1976, from their son William Eric Williams, 1914-1995, most of which were written while William Eric was in the armed forces, and of letters to Florence Williams, or to Williams' publisher at New Directions Press, James Laughlin, 1914- , pertaining to requests for Williams material by editors and researchers. Also included are a number of condolence cards and letters sent after Williams' death.

The Williams, W. mss., 1788-1857, consist of the letters and The Journal of Penrose, Seaman by William Williams, 1727-1791, painter and novelist.

William Tinsley was an architect from Dublin, Ireland; he is well-known in his profession for designing part of the original Indiana University Bloomington campus. This collection consists of a journal written by William Tinsley and two of his children, Charles and Harvey.