Manuscripts for: Edith Wilson
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division
, Washington, D.C.:
--Edith Bolling Galt Wilson Papers, 1833-1961, 27 ft. (ca. 19,000 items): These extensive papers cover the life of the controversial First Lady. They include family and general correspondence, diary notes, drafts, and correspondence concerning her book My Memoir (1938), financial and legal papers, genealogical material, memorabilia, and printed matter. Most of the correspondence is of a social nature from leaders in American political and social life. Correspondents include Newton D. Baker, Ray Stannard Baker, Bernard M. Baruch, Charles R. Crane, Josephus Daniels, Norman H. Davis, Cleveland H. Dodge, Gary T. Grayson, Charles S. Hamlin, Marquis James, Jess H. Jones, William McAdoo, Cyrus H. McCormick, Francis B. Sayre, Adlai E. Stevenson, Arthur Sweetser, and Henry White. Presidents and wives of presidents represented as correspondents include Calvin Coolidge, Grace Coolidge, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mamie Doud Eisenhower, Florence Kling Harding, Herbert Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover, Lyndon B. Johnson (one letter written as U.S. Senator), Jacqueline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft. An unpublished finding aid is available for use in the Manuscript Division..
--Woodrow Wilson Papers: Series 20 of the President's papers here have material from or relating to Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, Container 1 includes about 700 pieces, all handwritten, between Woodrow Wilson (WW) and Edith Bolling Galt (EBG); love letters from April 1915 to December 1915, which also contain much material on political events and international crises of the first world war. One folder has 7 notes in shorthand (with transcriptions) from WW to EBG dated May and Sept, 1915. Letter from Wilson's daughter, Jessie Wilson Sayre to EBG dated August 1915. Container 2 includes gift notes from EBW to WW dated from 1916 - 1920; Handwritten letter from another Wilson daughter, Margaret Wilson to EBW undated; Correspondence between WW and EBW following his illness; originals; WW typed and signed letters; EBW plus all letters and worries about him (telegrams sent on days when there is no mail delivery); 1922 - 1923. During 1921, there is no "correspondence," but many small notes to EBW, in very shaky hand from WW.
--Henry Morgenthau Papers, 1834-1940, 29 ft.: Businessman and diplomat. Served as Ambassador to Turkey and as U.S. delegate to various foreign conferences. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Wilson. Container 10 includes a note on a card from Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (EBGW) to Henry Morgenthau (HM) dated November 21, 1921; a letter from EBGW to HM dated February 29, 1924; and a typed note (signed) from EBGW to HM dated April 18, 1926. Container 11 includes a note on a card from EBGW to HM dated November 18, 1930; a letter from EBGW to HM dated 1931; and a letter from EBGW to HM dated Christmas Day.
--Newton Diehl Baker Papers: Container 239, Folder of 1929. Correspondence (4 originals, signed from EBW to NDB) concerning Woodrow Wilson Foundation. Folder of 1933. Handwritten & signed note from EBW to NDB dated October 23, 1933.
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division
, John Davis Batchelder, Washington, DC: Container, Vol. II., No. 1729. Original "signature card" of Edith Wilson.
--Herbert Feis Papers: Container 28 includes a letter (carbon) from HF to EBW requesting conversation with her concerning WW's fight for League of Nations dated February 27, 1961. Handwritten original letter of reply from EBW to HF; extremely shaky hand, but obviously clear mind dated February 28, 1961.
--David Finley Papers
: Container 80 includes "Regret" sent to Andrew Mellon for Mrs. Wilson; April 24, 1929.
--Warren G. Harding Papers, Microfilm: Reel 242 includes a letter from Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (EBGW) to Florence Kling Harding (FKH) dated December 1, 1920; a letter from EBGW to FKH dated December 6, 1920. This was correspondence concerning Edith Wilson's appointment to show Florence Harding the White House during the transition between Administrations.
--Charles Moore Papers: Container 10 includes a contribution from the secretary to Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) to Charles Moore (CM) dated July 5, 1924; a contribution from the secretary to EBW to CM dated August 5, 1924.
--Gilbert Monell Hitchcock Papers, 1910-35, 300 items, In part, transcripts (typewritten): U.S. Senator from Nebraska. The papers (1917-20) covering the time he was chairman of the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations shed light on the relations between President Woodrow Wilson and Congress, especially during the treaty fight in the Senate, 1919-20. Hitchcock's correspondence with the President, and at times with Mrs. Wilson who wrote on behalf of her husband, reveals the relationship between the two men. Library also has microfilm copies (negative and positive, 1 reel). Container 1 includes a note from Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) to Gilbert Monell Hitchcock (GMH) (original) dated January 7, 1919; a letter, handwritten original, from EBW concerning League of Nations and a discussion of some magnitude; ca. January 1920. Container 2 includes correspondence between EBW and GHM from December 19, 1919 to January 26, 1920. Handwritten notes from EBW (4) to GMH, in which she is relaying the President's thoughts and ideas.
--Irwin Hoover Papers, 1909-33, ca. 4 ft. (650 items): Chief usher at the White House. Chiefly diaries and diary notes kept of Presidents and life in the White House from 1891-1933; together with a few pieces of correspondence and a number of notes addressed to Hoover. Many of the notes are from Woodrow Wilson, some relating to his wedding to Edith Galt, and including an initialed "delivery copy" of Wilson’s message to Congress (Aug. 27, 1913). Includes a long memoir in the form of a continuing letter to Hoover's family written during his trip to France with Wilson in 1918-19. Source material for Hoover's book Forty-two years in the White House. Container 6 includes handwritten accounts (by Hoover, it is not clear) of the courtship and marriage of Edith Galt and President Wilson, including wedding announcement, menu for reception and dinner, and description of clothes. Handwritten thank you note (on "The Homestead" stationary) from newlywed Edith Bolling Wilson on her honeymoon to Hoover, December 29, 1915. Pencil, original note from EBW to Mr. Tumulty, aide to President Wilson, whom Edith Wilson disliked, no date.
--Huston Thompson Papers, 1908-65, 2 ft. (ca. 75,000 items): Lawyer and Government official. Some material relates to the presidential candidacy of Woodrow Wilson. Correspondents include Helen Bones and Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW). Container 3 includes a handwritten thank you note from EBW for poem to Woodrow Wilson by Huston Thompson (HT) dated July 12, 1916; a handwritten note from EBW to HT dated July 16, 1917; a letter requesting help collecting Wilson's papers, et al, from EBW dated June 10, 1924; a follow-up letter from EBW dated June 17, 1924; a letter from HT to EBW regarding Armistice Day dated November 12, 1924; a letter from EBW to HT regarding Armistice Day dated November 15, 1924. Unpublished finding aid in the Library.
--Charles Warren Papers, 1874-1954, 6 ft. (ca. 6000 items): Lawyer and historian. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Wilson. Container 1 includes a handwritten letter from Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) to Mrs. Warren dated December 2, 1922. Container 2, Folder 1 includes an handwritten note and letter from EBW to "Dear Friends" undated; a handwritten letter from EBW to Mrs. Warren dated September 21, 1924; a handwritten note from EBW to Mrs. Warren dated March 16, 1924; an handwritten note from EBW to Mrs. Warren undated. Folder 2 includes a handwritten note from EBW to Mr. Warren undated; a typed and signed letter from EBW to Mr. Warren dated February 17, 1933. Container 3 includes a handwritten note from EBW to Mr. Warren thanking him for a book dated March 2, 1941. Container 4 includes a handwritten letter from EBW to Mrs. Warren thanking her for hospitality, undated; a handwritten note from EBW to Mrs. Warren undated; a handwritten note from EBW to Mrs. Warren accepting an invitation, undated; a handwritten note (invitation from EBW to Mrs. Warren dated Wednesday.) Unpublished finding aid in the Library.
--Ray Stannard Baker Papers, 1836-1946, 61 ft., Open, Published guide and register: A journalist, author, and biographer of Woodrow Wilson, Baker (1870-1946) also participated in the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. His papers include correspondence with Edith Bolling Wilson. Containers 41 - 43 includes material dating from 1925 to 1946. Chiefly pertains to Baker's biography of Woodrow Wilson. Includes carbon copies of letters from Ray Stannard Baker to Edith Bolling Wilson and her brother-secretary, John Randolph Bolling (JRB). Letters from JRB are also included. Lengthy correspondence generated by each of participants.
--Victor Murdock Papers, 1866-1945, 51 ft., Open, Published guide and register: Papers of Murdock (1871-1945), a newspaper editor, pertain to his tenure in the US House of Representatives. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Wilson. Container 58 includes an engraved invitation from Mrs. Wilson to Victor Murdock dated December 5, 1916. Container 75 includes a note from Edith Bolling Wilson to Victor Murdock dated January 31, 1924; Notecards (2), appreciation for sympathy dated March 12, 1924.
--Joseph Tumulty Papers: Box 46 includes 10 folders of correspondence sent to Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) while president was confined to his room with his stroke; an occasional note from him. Gives an idea of how White House was not operating when Woodrow Wilson (WW) lay ill. All of the 10 folders together are basically one way notes from Joseph Tumulty (JT) to EBW during WW's illness. Folder 1 includes a letter to EBW from someone needing money dated 1913. Folder 2 includes a series of political cartoons sent to EBW by JT (secretary to Pres.) dated 1918. Folder 3 includes copies of notes from JT to EBW, all asking that she inform the President of something or get information from him; 1 pencil note from EBW about "your little invalid." Folder 4 includes copies (carbon) from JT to EBW; 1 penned note of reply from EBW - still keeping WW from being seen dated December 1919. Folder 5 includes carbons of suggestions, appointments, etc. for WW via EBW; one pencil note from EBW to "Mr. Forster." Folder 6 includes one way correspondence to EBW; and occasional note from her to JT; March - April, 1920. Folder 7 includes one way correspondence to EBW; and occasional note from her to JT; May - September, 1920. Folder 8 includes one way correspondence to EBW; and occasional note from her to JT; October - December, 1920. Folder 9 includes one way correspondence to EBW; and occasional note from her to JT; January - February, 1921. Folder 10 includes four undated notes from EBW.
--Arthur Sweetser Papers: Container 35 includes a letter to Arthur Sweetser (AS) original with signature dated November 19, 1925; a letter (carbon) from AS to Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) dated September 16, 1946; a handwritten note from EBW to AS dated September 11, 1939; a handwritten note from EBW to AS dated September 22, 1946; Christmas & New Years messages (3) from EBW - all handwritten dated January 12, 1952, December 20, 1954, February 16, 1956.
--Louis B. (Mrs.) Schwellenbach Papers: Container 2 includes two penned notes (photostats) from Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) to Mrs. Schwellenbach dated January 19, 1948 and undated.
--Mark Sullivan Papers: Container 3 includes a note of appreciation of sympathy from Edith Bolling Wilson dated March 12, 1924.
--Marquis James Papers: Container 45 includes a letter of agreement regarding memoirs, signed by both Marquis James and Edith Bolling Wilson dated June 9, 1938.
--Bess Furman Papers: Container 35 includes a handwritten thank you for a book received by Edith Bolling Wilson - note from Edith Bolling Wilson to Bess Furman dated March 16, 1955.
-- Huntington Gilchrist: Container 19 includes correspondence (ca. 10 items) between Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) and Huntington Gilchrist (HG), or from HG about EW; during her visit to Geneva, July 1924 and her return to Washington, October 1924.
--George Creel Papers: Container 2 includes Volume II of "Personal Letters of Woodrow Wilson," 1919 - 1930; contains correspondence between Edith Bolling Wilson and George Creel concerning the possibility of former president Woodrow Wilson doing some writing, following his illness; Edith Wilson's letters and notes are all originals; some typed and signed; others, handwritten; ca. 6.
--Norman H. Davis Papers: Container 68 includes correspondence between Edith Bolling Wilson (EBW) and Norman H. Davis (NHD) between April 4, 1924 and February 20, 1933; NHD letters are carbons; EBW are originals, either typed and signed, or handwritten; approximately 100 pieces. Subjects are generally concerning EBW's interest in collecting the President Wilson's letters; President Wilson’s biography; a Woodrow Wilson Memorial; her continuing interest in politics, travel.
Rutgers University Libraries, New Brunswick, New Jersey: --Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1896-1927, 28 items, Open, Accession card: Correspondence of President Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (1872-1961), and others.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscripts Library, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey:--Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1875-1925, ca. 106 boxes and 2 cartons, Open, Checklist: Personal papers of Wilson (1856-1924) contain material primarily from the period before he became President. Correspondence; manuscript memoranda, speeches, and articles; photos; clippings; and memorabilia. Includes 16 boxes of correspondence with Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, his mother Jeanie Woodrow Wilson, and his cousins Helen Woodrow Bones and Harriet Woodrow.
--Margaret Woodrow Wilson Papers, ca. 1915-44, 3 boxes, Open, Card catalog: Margaret Wilson was a professional singer and daughter of President Woodrow Wilson. Correspondence, including letters of her stepmother Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia:--Carter Glass Papers, 1821-1946,125 ft.: Farmer, newspaper publisher, political leader, and statesman. Among the correspondents are Edith Bolling Wilson.
--Mary de C B Moore, Lee Chapel Papers, 1923-24, ca. 300 items: Correspondence concerning the pros and cons for remodeling the Robert E. Lee Chapel and the university, which Mary Moore opposed as spokeswoman for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections, Albany, New York: --William Gorham Rice Papers, 1841-1937, 18 ft., In part, photocopies: Government official, of New York. Includes letters (1921-26) from President and Mrs. Woodrow (Edith Bolling) Wilson. Unpublished finding aid in the repository.
Albany Institute of History and Art Library,
Huybertie Lansing (Pruyn) Hamlin Papers, 1878-1957, Albany, New York, 46 boxes and 60 vols., Open, Partial unpublished guide:
--Papers of (Mrs. Charles Sumner) Hamlin (1873-1964), an author of numerous articles about life in Albany and about the social class of which she was a member. Includes correspondence with President Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts: --David Franklin Houston Papers, 1891-1930, 398 items: Educator and public official. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. Finding aid in the repository.
The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, California: --William Denman Papers, ca. 1900-59, 42 boxes, 32 cartons, and 21 vols., Open, Key: Correspondence and other papers of Denman (1872-1959), a lawyer and assistant professor of law at the Hastings College of Law and the University of California who defended the state's law limiting women's hours of work. Includes letters from Edith Wilson.
Mississippi State University Library, State College, Mississippi: --Pat Harrison Papers, 1903-43, , ca. 227 items, Gulfport, Mississippi: Mississippi State district attorney, U.S. Representative and Senator. Largely microfilm (negative, 1 reel) made in 1960 from originals loaned by Mrs. Harrison. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Wilson.
University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa: --Edwin Thomas Meredith Papers, 1894-1928, 38 ft. (30,000 items): U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and founder of the Meredith Publishing Company, Des Moines, Iowa. Correspondents include Edith Bolling Wilson.
Center for American History, University of Texas, Austin, Texas: --William Kimberley Palmer Papers, 1925-37, 70 items: Poet. Letters and poems. Persons represented include William C. Redfield, Elihu Root, and Edith Bolling Wilson.