Inventory of the Eben Alexander Papers, 1828-1968

Collection Number 1209

Manuscripts Department, University Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Collection Information

Descriptive Summary

Administrative Information

Online Catalog Headings

Biographical Note

Collection Overview

Detailed Description of the Collection

Items Separated

Contact Information:: Manuscripts Department; CB#3926, Wilson Library; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890; Phone: 919/962-1345; Fax: 919/962-3594; Email: mss@email.unc.edu; URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

Descriptive Summary

Repository: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.

Creator: Alexander, Eben, 1851-1910.

Title: Eben Alexander Papers, 1828-1968

Call Number: 1209

Language of Materials: Materials in English

Extent: Items: About 675; Linear Feet: 3

Abstract

Eben Alexander (1851-1910), professor of Greek at the University of North Carolina, 1886-1910; U.S. minister to Greece, Romania, and Serbia, 1893-1897.

Chiefly personal, semi-official, and social letters received by Eben Alexander while he was U.S. minister to Greece, 1893-1897, and material relating to his appointment at the University of North Carolina; letters, chiefly after 1910, received by his widow, Marion Howard-Smith Alexander; a manuscript book of verse, 1832-1833, by Marion Alexander's grandmother, Eleanor Spurrier Rand; letters, 1901-1943, from the Alexanders' son, Eben Alexander Jr. in medical school in Philadelphia, Pa., interning at Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, N.Y., and practicing medicine in Knoxville, Tenn.; two scrapbooks of clippings and a journal kept by another son, John Howard Alexander, while he was traveling in Europe and the U.S., 1896; letters from Eben Alexander's brother, Charles W. Alexander, serving with the 59th Tennessee Regiment detailing camp life, 1862; and other family and personal papers. Also included are letters of John Howard Alexander, student at Bingham School in Asheville, 1896-1897, and at the University of North Carolina, 1899. The Addition of 2008 includes letters from Eben and Marion Alexander to their friends and family while they were in Greece. The letters discuss travel, family affairs, diplomatic affairs, Greek customs, and the 1896 Olympic games. There is also a photograph of the crowd in the Olympic stadium, 8 April 1896. Also included are a few maternity reports, 1904, compiled by Eben Alexender Jr. while attending Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa.; photographs of Eben and Marion Alexander; newspaper and journal clippings; a Greek grammar book; and various certificates.

Back to Top

Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access: No restrictions.

Acquisitions Information: Received from Mrs. Andrew H. Patterson, Chapel Hill, N.C., 1946, Dr. Eben Alexander Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C., 1975, and Betty Alexander June 2008 (Acc. 100946).

Processing Information: Processed by: SHC Staff, 1997; Encoded by: ByteManagers Inc., 2008; Finding aid updated in June 2008 by Kathryn Roth

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], in the Eben Alexander Papers #1209, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Copyright Notice: Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Alexander, Charles W., fl. 1862.

Alexander, Eben, 1851-1910.

Alexander, Eben.

Alexander, John Howard, d. 1899.

Alexander, Marion Howard-Smith.

Ambassadors--Greece--History--19th century.

Bingham Military School (Asheville, N.C.)--Students.

Confederate States of America. Army--Military life.

Confederate States of America. Army. Tennessee Infantry Regiment, 59th.

Diplomatic and consular service, American--History--19th century.

Europe--Description and travel.

Interns (Medicine)--New York (State)--New York--History--20th century.

Medical students--Pennsylvania--History--20th century.

Physicians--Tennessee--History--20th century.

Rand, Eleanor Spurrier, fl. 1823-1833.

Soldiers--Confederate States of America--Correspondence.

University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Faculty--History--19th century.

University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Students--Social life and customs.

Biographical Note

Eben Alexander (1851-1910) was the son of Ebenezer Alexander (1805-1857), a Tennessee lawyer and judge, and Margaret White McClung Alexander. He graduated from Yale in 1873, and served at the University of Tennessee, first as professor of ancient languages and later as chairman of the faculty. In 1874, he married Marion Howard-Smith. They had four children: Eben Jr., who became a physician in Knoxville, Tenn.; John Howard who died in 1899; Eleanor Spurrier who married Andrew H. Patterson; and Margaret McClung who married Paul Schenck. In 1886, Alexander accepted the chair of Greek at the University of North Carolina, which he occupied until his death. After appointment by President Cleveland in 1893, Alexander served as minister to Greece, Serbia, and Rumania until 1897. While minister he was a leader in the revival of the Olympic games. He returned to the University of North Carolina in 1897 and in 1900, he became dean of the faculty. At UNC, he established courses in modern Greek and was influential in the movement to rehabilitate the library.

Collection Overview

Chiefly personal, semi-official, and social letters received by Alexander while he was U.S. minister to Greece, 1893-1897, and material relating to his appointment at the University of North Carolina; letters, chiefly after 1910, received by his widow, Marion Howard-Smith Alexander; a manuscript book of verse, 1832-1833, by Marion Alexander's grandmother, Eleanor Spurrier Rand; letters, 1901-1943, from the Alexanders' son, Eben Alexander Jr., in medical school in Philadelphia, Pa., interning at Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, N.Y., and practicing medicine in Knoxville, Tenn.; two scrapbooks of clippings and a journal kept by another son, John Howard Alexander, while he was traveling in Europe and the U.S., 1896; letters from Eben Alexander's brother, Charles W. Alexander, serving with the 59th Tennessee Regiment detailing camp life, 1862; and other family and personal papers. Also included are letters of John Howard Alexander, student at Bingham School in Asheville and at the University of North Carolina.

The papers before 1886 are mainly family letters of the McClung and Alexander families and papers of Eben Alexander (1805-1857). The bulk of the papers fall between 1890 and 1910, and consist of family correspondence; personal and social correspondence, mail orders and ephemera accumulated by J. Howard Alexander, 1893-1899; correspondence, 1900-1907, received by Eben Alexander Jr. related to his medical training; scattered correspondence of Prof. Alexander during and after his time as minister to Greece, including two letters from William Howard Taft in 1905; and letters of condolence on the death of J. Howard Alexander, 1899.

After 1910, the papers are primarily letters to Marion Alexander from family in Knoxville, Tenn.; scattered letters to Dr. Alexander from friends and patients; and tributes written to librarian Louis R. Wilson by donors to the University's memorial fund for Prof. Alexander.

Included in the papers also are genealogies; essays written by Alexander; obituaries and tributes to Eben Alexander (1805-1857) and Eben Alexander (1851-1910); UNC Class of 1901, class record; calling cards left at the American legation in Athens, 1893-1897; and photographs of the Alexander family and scenes in Greece, Canada, and elsewhere.

The Addition of 2008 includes letters from Eben and Marion Alexander to their friends and family while they were in Greece. The letters discuss travel, family affairs, diplomatic affairs, Greek customs, and the 1896 Olympic games. There is also a photograph of the crowd in the Olympic stadium, 8 April 1896. Also included are a few maternity reports, 1904, compiled by Eben Alexender Jr. while attending Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa.; photographs of Eben and Marion Alexander; newspaper and journal clippings; a Greek grammar book; and various certificates.

Arrangement of Collection

1. Correspondence and Related Papers
2. Writings and Other Papers
3. Photographs
4. Calling Cards
5. Volumes
Additions
Addition of 2008
Back to Top

Items Separated

P-1209/1-58
OP-P-1209/1
SF-P-1209/1 (Glass negative of P-1209/56)

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Correspondence and Related Papers, 1828-1943, undated.

About 500 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

The papers before 1886 are mainly family letters: Margaret McClung to her father Charles; Eben Alexander's proposal to Margaret McClung; Margaret, Eben, and C. W. (in Confederate service) to their parents Eben and Margaret Alexander; cousins to Eben Alexander about family history. Papers of Eben Alexander (1805-1857): Tennessee law license, 1829; commissions as attorney general, 1832, and judge, 1843, signed by Gov. James C. Jones, and 1854, signed by Gov. Andrew Johnson, of the 2nd circuit; letter to Moses A. White on public education; and memorial resolutions and obituaries.

In 1886, there are letters to Kemp P. Battle, president of the University of North Carolina, recommending the appointment of Eben Alexander as professor of Greek at the University, written by colleagues of Alexander.

The bulk of the papers fall between 1890 and 1910, and consist of family correspondence; personal and social correspondence, mail orders and ephemera accumulated by J. Howard Alexander, 1893-1899; correspondence, 1900-1907, received by Eben Alexander Jr., related to his medical training; scattered correspondence of Prof. Alexander during and after his time as minister to Greece, including two letters from William Howard Taft in 1905; and letters of condolence on the death of J. Howard Alexander, 1899.

Folder 1

1828-1850

Three letters, 1828-1829, between Margaret McClung at Litiz Seminary in Pennsylvania and her father Charles in Knoxville, Tenn., concerning Charles McClung's ill health, Margaret's school progress, and news of acquaintances. Papers of Ebenezer Alexander: order for law certification, 6 February 1829; law license, April 1829; marriage proposal to Margaret McClung, 26 November 1832; commissions to Ebenezer Alexander as attorney-general, 3 Sep. 1838, and judge, 1 December 1843, with his acceptance on the verso, 28 February 1844. School essay on Peace by Charles M. Alexander, 1850s?.

Folder 2

1851-1869

Letters and papers of Ebenezer Alexander (1805-1857): four letters to Alexander, while on circuit duty in scattered localities, from his son Charles and daughter Margaret relating news of family and acquaintances; fatherly letter from Alexander at Harrison, Tenn., to three-year old Eben; letter, January 1855, to legislator Moses White urging his nonsupport of a proposal to incorporate a new school district. In a letter, August 1856, to his wife, Alexander detailed the difficulties experienced by a family as the result of the husband dying intestate and assured her that he had bequeathed his estate to her. Papers include a Tennessee circuit judge commission, 1854, signed by Gov. Andrew Johnson, and a certificate, 1857, declaring E. Alexander executor for the estate of Thomas L. Williams. Other items, April-May 1857, include a funeral notice, memorial resolutions, and letters of condolence relating to the death of Ebenezer Alexander. Two letters, 1862, from Charles Alexander in Confederate service with the 59th Tennessee Regiment to his mother, detailing camp life. A letter of August 1862, written near Cumberland Gap, mentions Taylor's brigade and Gen. Stevenson. A printed tribute, dated January 1862, relates Charles's death at Knoxville. Grade certificates of Eben Alexander at East Tennessee University, 1863.

Folder 3

1870-1889

Letter, April 1882, to Ebenezer Alexander from his cousin R. M. Hooke relating family genealogy; three business receipts; and papers relating to Eben Alexander's application for the Greek professorship at the University of North Carolina. The latter papers include a rough draft curriculum vitae, Alexander's letter to University president Kemp P. Battle, and fourteen letters of recommendation written by colleagues of Alexander.

Folder 4

1890-1895

Two letters, 1891, from C. Ross Grubb relating to loans made to Alexander and stock certificates used as collateral. Among the 1894 letters are one in January to Alexander in Athens, Greece, from T. D. Seymour at New Haven, Conn., relating news of the Yale Greek Department. There are three to C. M. McClung in Knoxville, Tenn. One, dated in August, describes the protocol and ceremony of Alexander presenting his credentials as Minister to the king of Yugoslavia, adding that he has been through the procedure in three kingdoms to date. A letter of uncertain date--1894?--from Richard Harding Davis in New York to Alexander in Athens. Davis hopes His Majesty has read the copy of The Rulers of the Mediterranean which Davis had sent through Alexander and hopes he may possible receive a decoration for the work from the Greek monarch. The 1895 items include a note, 27 January, from the Turkish Minister to Marion Alexander, accepting a dinner invitation; two notes from Adm. W. A. Kirkland, USN, in command of the Flagship San Francisco, inviting Alexander aboard, and informing him of his intention to call on the Greek royalty; a letter dated 28 September, written in modern Greek, from the Marechalat of the Court of the Royal Prince; a November letter to C. M. McClung relating details of embassy life and noting preparations for the Olympic Games; letter of uncertain date from Richard Harding Davis, thanking Alexander for sending the clipping of his article "Gallagher" which appeared in the Greek press, and forwarding a copy of his latest book The Princess Aline (published 1895).

Folder 5

1896

Letter, 4 January, from Adm. W. A. Kirkland in New York to Alexander in Athens, expressing his appreciation of the kindness shown him by the Queen of Greece and referring to "undeserved Slaps" he has received from the Navy Dept; 21 January, from T. D. Seymour at New Haven, relating news of the Yale Greek Department and discussing plans for the establishment of an American Academy in Rome; 23 February, from the Princeton University Track Athletic Association, announcing the names of the athletes to be sent to the Olympic games in April; 17 April, note in modern Greek from the Marachal of the Royal Court, setting up a royal audience for Richard Watson Gilder; 19 April-21 May, five friendly letters from Richard Watson Gilder with remarks on Mrs. Gilder's illness; 27 May, dinner invitation from Sophie Schliemann, relaying congratulations on the engagement of the Alexander's daughter, Eleanor; 2 June, diplomatic clearance written by German Minister Baron de Plessen for Alexander who is traveling from Austria to Munich; 13 and 20 July, from the Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, and from Helene N. Theochari, Grande Maitresse to the Queen, extending congratulations on Eleanor Alexander's engagement; 27 July, telegram from Queen Alga of Greece, offering similar congratulations; November-December, six letters from John Howard at Asheville, N.C., relating news of Bingham School; 19 December, letter in modern Greek; and three letters of uncertain date relating to Eleanor Alexander's engagement.

Folder 6

1897-1898

Letters in 1897 include one in modern Greek, dated 15 January, but are primarily the correspondence of John Howard Alexander at Bingham School, Asheville, N.C., to his father in Athens, Greece. Twenty telegrams dated from 6-14 September regarding the marriage of Eleanor Alexander and A. H. Patterson are also included. Letters and miscellany of John Howard while a student at the University of North Carolina, make up the most of the 1898 items. A letter of 5 June from Benjamin Ide Wheeler, Greek Department, Cornell University, to Eben Alexander, is also included.

Folder 7-10

1899

January-October: Primarily letters and papers of John Howard Alexander, including correspondence to John Howard at Chapel Hill from family and friends; University of North Carolina class schedules; and John Howard's student identification card. A letter of 28 September from friend Fred Harris in New York, relates that the whole city is decorated "waiting to receive (Adm. George) Dewey." A letter of 22 February from Sophia Tricoupi in Athens refers to the memory of her brother (Charilaos Tricoupi, former Prime Minister of Greece) and assures Alexander that Tricoupi's name is still much revered. Included are 88 letters of condolence, November-December, on the death of John Howard Alexander. 31 December, letter from Sir Edwin Egerton, British Minister in Athens, extends sympathy, and relates briefly legation news and the activities of the Greek Royal family.

Folder 11

1900-1903

Included are three letters of condolence, 1900, regarding the death of John Howard and a letter dated 27 July 1901, in modern Greek from the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, D. Stephanou, informing Alexander that his son Dimitrios is the Greek agent for two American insurance companies, and that perhaps Alexander might refer other American agencies to him. Other 1902 items include several mementos of Eben Jr. from the University of North Carolina, including a typewritten list of the class of 1901. Also included are family letters to and from Eben Jr. while he was attending Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.

Folder 12-13

1904

Letters and papers of Eben Alexander Jr.: 13 January, letter from Dr. Richard H. Whitehead, Dean of the University of North Carolina Medical School, and 14 January, from University President F. P. Venable, giving character references for Eben Jr.; 19 March, letter of appointment to the staff of Mt. Sinai Hospital; 29 March, letter to Marion Alexander from her sister in Philadelphia with details of Eben's graduation and of his winning an award. A June newspaper clipping notes that Eben Alexander won a $25 prize for the best examination in otology. There are also scattered family letters to Eben Jr., from his mother and sister Margaret. The items between August and November are primarily family letters written by Eben Jr., from Philadelphia and Spring Station, Ky. There is a letter, 22 November, to Eben, Sr. from Frances (Mrs. Grover) Cleveland, Princeton, N.J., thanking him for his gift of judas trees.

Folder 14

1905-1909

Letters of 1905 are primarily from Marion Alexander to Eben Jr. at Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York. On 23 November, William Howard Taft, then Secretary of War, wrote to Eben Alexander declining an invitation to speak at the University of North Carolina commencement. The letters and papers of 1906-1907 are mainly those of Eben Jr. and relate to his medical practice in New York. Among the 1908 items is a note written 20 July from William Howard Taft, Democratic presidential candidate, regarding the governorship of Judge Pritchard; and the 29 July eulogy written by Alexander on the death of Greek poet and essayist, Demitrios Bikelas. The 1909 items include a letter, 24 April, from George Higgins Moses of Concord, N.H., newly appointed minister to Greece, thanking Alexander for his congratulatory letter; and a letter, 8 November, from James Bryce at the British Embassy, Washington, D. C., regretting their inability to meet in Chapel Hill.

Folder 15

1910-1919

Included in the items from this period are a letter of condolence to Marion Alexander from Sally (Mrs. Francis P.) Venable on the death of Eben Alexander; an undated typescript of the Eben Alexander eulogy from the University of North Carolina Tar Heel; sixteen letters addressed to Louis Round Wilson from various persons contributing to a library memorial fund in Alexander's name; and a letter dated 30 June 1911, to Marion Alexander from Louis Round. Wilson, regarding her husband's memorial fund.

Folder 16

1920-1943

Scattered letters to Marion Alexander from her married children and from her grandchildren. A get-well note to Andrew H. Patterson, 9 March 1928, from David Franklin Houston, president of the Mutual Life Insurance Company. The items dating from October 1933-1943 are primarily the letters and papers of Dr. Eben Alexander. Included are several letters from patients or their family members expressing gratitude for Dr. Alexander's able care.

Folder 17

Undated

Notable letters are as follows: from Sophie Tricoupi, Athens, Greece, to Eben Alexander informing him of her brother's willingness to meet with him (Charilaos Tricoupi was Prime Minister of Greece, 1895, and died in April 1896); from British Minister Edwin H. Egerton, who looks forward to meeting Mr. Patterson; from Adm. Thomas O. Selfridge expressing thanks to Alexander and hopes of their arranging a meeting; from Prince Nicholas of Greece asking Alexander to forward photographs to members of the Boston Athletic Association; from Angelique J. Contoslavlos to Eleanor Alexander; to Alexander, in French, from H. N. Theochari, "Grande Maitresse" of the Queen; and a few from family members with some genealogical information.

2. Writings and Other Papers, 1888-1928

About 50 items.

Arrangement: by type of material.

Folder 18

Writings

Writings by Eben Alexander on education, Greek history, culture, and modern society. 1888 newspaper clipping with text by Eben Alexander describing climbing in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Folder 19

Alexander House Notes

Notes written by A. H. Patterson, 1925, regarding the Alexander House in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Folder 20

Manuscript Biographical Sketches

Assorted biographical sketches of, and memorial tributes to, Eben Alexander.

Folder 21

Printed Biographical Sketches

Alumni bulletin of the University of North Carolina class of 1901, with a note by Eben Alexander Jr.; Jefferson Medical College catalog, 1902-03; commencement program for Jefferson Medical College, 27 May 1904; and two printed memorial tributes to Eben Alexander.

Folder 22

Judge Ebenezer Alexander Newspaper Obituaries

Folder 23

Eben Alexander Obituaries

Folder 24

Other Obituaries and Family Clippings

Obituaries of Marion Alexander and A. H. Patterson

Folder 25

Miscellaneous Clippings

3. Photographs

56 items.

Folder 26

Photographs of Eben Alexander, Marion Howard-Smith Alexander, and Richard La Gallienne and wife; miscellaneous scenic cards; and twenty-seven photographs of Greece

4. Calling Cards

69 items.

Folder 27

Assorted calling cards left at the U.S. Embassy in Athens during Alexander's term as Minister

5. Volumes, 1832-1899 and undated

9 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Folder 28a.

Volume 1a: Notebook: Eleanor Spurrier Rand, 1832-1833

Inspirational verse.

Folder 28b.

Volume 1b: "An Inventory of the book, pictures, and other articles belonging at Palmyra," undated. [Palmyra, located in the Happy Valley, Caldwell Co., N.C., was built in 1815 and acquired in 1845 by Gen. S. F. Patterson. It remained in the Patterson family until 1908. (T. F. Hickerson, Happy Valley. 1940.)

Folder 29.

Volume 2: Scrapbook: Marion Alexander, 1886-?

Clippings, verse, and family memorabilia.

Folder 30-37.

Volume 3: Scrapbook: Eleanor Spurrier Alexander, 1892-1897

Calling cards, invitations, programs, and correspondence from the following: Count Messala, Angelique J. Contosavlos, Countess de Plessen, E. F. Benson, Sir Edwin Egerton, Sophie Schliemann, Mary Beale (Madam Bakhmeteff), Richard Watson Gilder, and Mary Virginia Terhune. A telegram from Charles, King of Rumania, and other mementos of Greece.

Folder 38.

Volume 4: Scrapbook: Marion Alexander, 1896-?

Clippings, verse, and family memorabilia.

Folder 39a.

Volume 5a: Handbook: John Howard Alexander, 1896

Bicycle tire handbook.

Folder 39b.

Volume 5b: Handbook: YMCA/UNC Student Handbook, 1898-1899

Contains notes by John Howard Alexander.

Folder 39c.

Volume 5c: Notebook: John Howard Alexander

Undated class notes.

Folder 39d.

Volume 5d: Notebook: John Howard Alexander, 1896

Miscellaneous notes and sketches, including notes made while at Bingham School, near Asheville, N.C., and lists of the hotels he stayed in while abroad.

Additions.

Addition of 2008 (Acc. 100946), 1896-1968.

Folder 40

Letters, 1893-1899

Primarily typewritten transcripts of letters from Eben Alexander and Marion Alexander in Greece to their friends and family in the United States. Letters discuss their travels, family affairs, Greek customs and politics, foreign diplomatic matters, and the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece (original letters not included).

Image P-1209/57

Photograph: Eben Alexander and Marion Alexander

Image P-1209/58

Photograph: Eben Alexander

Oversize Image OP-P-1209/1

Photograph: Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece, 8 April 1896

Folder 41

Clippings, 1896-1968

Newspaper and journal articles, including a copy of a Harpers Weekly profile of Eben Alexander and his involvement in the 1896 Olympics.

Folder 42

Maternity Reports, 1904

Written by Eben Alexander Jr. while attending attending Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.

Folder 43

Greek Grammar Book, 1894

Belonged to Eben Alexander Jr.

Folder 44

Certificates

Awarded to Eben Alexander for his diplomatic work.