Guide to the George E.Crothers Papers
Stanford University Libraries
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
October 2010
Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of
Stanford University. All rights reserved.
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Overview
Call Number: SC0130
Creator:
Crothers, George E. (George Edward),
1870-1957.
Title: George E. Crothers papers
Dates: 1905-1957
Physical Description:
16.5 Linear feet
Summary: Correspondence (1905-1957), speeches, articles, legal documents,
photographs, newsclippings and scrapbooks. Major subjects include Stanford University,
Republican Party activities (1909-1930), California State Normal Schools, United States
monetary policy and U.S. relations with the Republic of China (1920-1940).
Correspondents include persons prominent in educational and political affairs in the
U.S. as well as many leading California lawyers and educators. Also includes
correspondence between Crothers and his brother T. G. Crothers relating to Stanford
Board of Trustees matters and University legal problems, minutes of the Board (April
1905, May-June 1907), a typescript description of the founding grant and an anonymous
diary (1895-1902).
Language(s): The materials are in English.
Repository:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Stanford University Libraries
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064
Email: speccollref@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 725-1022
URL: http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/spc/spc.html
Administrative Information
Provenance
Gift of George Crothers to the Stanford Library, 1962; transferred to University
Archives, 1975.
Information about Access
This collection is open to researchers with permission of the Stanford University
Archives.
Ownership & Copyright
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is
given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not
intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission
must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Cite As
George E. Crothers Papers (SC0130). Department of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Judge and member of the Stanford Board of Trustees (1902-1912). He served as attorney to
Jane Lathrop Stanford and was part donor of two graduate dormitories at Stanford
University.
| 1870 |
Born (May 27), Wapello, Iowa; son of John and Margaret Jane (Fair)
Crothers.
|
| 1883 |
Family moved to San Jose, California. Crothers attends San Jose
HighSchool.
|
| 1895 |
Received A.B., Stanford University (in "Pioneer Class"). |
| 1896 |
Received A.M. (in law), Stanford University. Admitted to California
Bar.
|
| 1897 |
Formed partnership With brother in San Francisco law practice. |
| 1898 |
Retained by Mrs. Jane Stanford to write amendment to California State
Constitution for purpose of reducing tax burden on University.
|
| 1899 |
Began serving as attorney in Fair Trust case (to 1902). Became president,
General Alumni Association of Stanford University. Elected to membership, Golden
Gate Commandery # 16, Masonic order. Received Order of Red Cross, Masonic
order.
|
| 1900 |
Received Order of Temple, Masonic order. |
| 1902 |
Became first alumnus to serve on Stanford Univ. Board of Trustees. |
| 1904 |
Formulated By-Laws & Rules of Order for board of trustees. Devised
articles of faculty organization adopted by board of trustees, March 31,
1904
|
| 1905 |
Acted as attorney for board of trustees on death of Jane Stanford. Recomnended
establishment of Jewel Fund for acquisition of library books for Stanford
University. As chairman, committee on medical education, brought about association
of Cooper Medical College with Stanford University.
|
| 1909 |
Became chairman, independent Republican movement, San Francisco. Represented
Theodore Roosevelt in urging California Governor & legislators not to
undertake land legislation against Orientals.
|
| 1911 |
Married Elizabeth Mills (March 23). Became chairman, Board of Trustees, San
Francisco State Normal School. (to 1921)
|
| 1912 |
Became chairman, Republican County Committee (to 1913). |
| 1913 |
Appointed judge of Superior Court of San Francisco. |
| 1915 |
Elected to succeed himself on bench by highest vote ever accorded by San
Francisco Bar Association.
|
| 1916 |
Resigned as chairman of Republican County Committee. |
| 1919 |
Served as presiding judge of Superior Court. |
| 1920 |
Wife, Elizabeth, died (August 18). |
| 1921 |
Returned to active practice of law. |
| 1924 |
Made a summer tour of Europe. |
| 1932 |
Published article, "Outline of History of Founding of Stanford
University".
|
| 1933 |
Delivered speech, "Educational Ideals of Jane Lathrop Stanford" |
| 1946 |
Announced he would help to finance building of graduate dormitory for law
students to be called "Crothers Hall"•
|
| 1948 |
Completion and dedication of Crothers Hall. |
| 1951 |
Two new wings added to Crothers Hall. |
| 1953 |
Announced he would help to finance building of graduate dormitory for
engineering students to be dedicated to his mother, Margaret Jane Fair Crothers,
and to be called "Crothers Memorial Hall".
|
| 1955 |
Completion and dedication of Crothers Memorial Hall. |
| 1957 |
Died, May 16. |
Memberships: California Historical Society, American Law Institute, American Political
Science Association, Schoolmaster's Club of California, Stanford Faculty Club,
Commercial Club, Commonwealth Club, Marin Country Club, Pacific Union Club, University
Club of San Francisco, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, American Historical Association,
Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Phi, Burlingame Country Club, San Francisco Opera Guild, American
Geographic Society.
Honorary trustee, San Francisco Boys Club.
Director, Western States Life Insurance Company.
Life trustee, Leland Stanford Junior Kindergarten Trust.
For further reference see Container # 13 for biographical data concerning George
Crothers.
Description of the Collection
The Crothers Papers contain George Crothers' correspondence dated from 1905-1957. The
bulk of the outgoing correspondence was written between 1930 and 1955. The collection
also includes manuscript and typescript copies of Crothers' speeches, articles, legal
documents, photographs, newsclippings and scrapbooks and memoranda, as well as printed
matter collected by Crothers.
Of primary interest are Crothers' writings on his alma mater, Stanford University, which
he served as attorney for Jane Stanford, as member of the university 's Board of
Trustees, and as part-donor of two graduate dormitories. The collection also includes
materials concerning United States relations with the Republic of China, c. 1920-1940;
Republican party activities, c. 1909-1930; California State Normal Schools; and United
States economic affairs and monetary policy, c. 1920-40.
Correspondents include persons prominent in educational and political affairs in the
United States, as well as a large number of leading California lawyers and educators.
Also includes correspondence between Crothers and his brother T. G. Crothers relating to
Stanford Board of Trustees matters and University legal problems, minutes of the Board
(April 1905, May-June 1907), a typescript description of the founding grant and an
anonymous diary (1895-1902).A partial list of the correspondents is included in the
Register.
Access Terms
Abbott, Nathan.
Boynton, Albert E.
Burk, Frederic, 1862-1924.
Carpenter, Thomas P.
Chandler, Harry.
Considine, John W.
Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933.
Cowley, W. H. (William Harold), 1899-
Crothers, George E. (George Edward),
1870-1957.
Cubberley, Ellwood Patterson, 1868-1941.
Cutler, Leland W. (Leland Whitman),
1885-1959.
Dailey, M. E.
Davis, Horace, 1831-1916.
Dern, George T.
Dinkelspiel, Lloyd W.
Downs, Winfield Scott, 1895-
Dunn, Francis.
Edwards, Paul C. (Paul Carroll),
1882-1962.
Eells, Walter C.
Elliott, O. L. (Orrin Leslie), 1860-1940.
Eurich, Alvin C. (Alvin Christian),
1902-1987.
French, Will J. (Will John), b. 1871
Fuller, W. Palmer.
Gerberding, Elizabeth.
Gunst, Morgan.
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.
Hopkins, Timothy.
Howe, Louis M. (Louis McHenry), 1871-1936.
Hughes, Charles Evans, 1862-1948.
Hassett, William D., 1880-1965.
Hayes, J. O.
James, William, 1842-1910.
Johnson, Hiram, 1866-1945.
Jones, Herbert C. (Herbert Coffin),
1881-1970.
Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931
Keesling, Francis V. (Francis Valentine),
1877-1963.
Kefauver, Grayson N.
Kirkwood, Marion.
Lane, Arthur Bliss.
Lane, Franklin K.
Leib, Samuel F. 1848-1924.
Lillick, Ira.
Lurie, Louis R.
MacArthur, Walter.
Morell, George, 1786-1845.
Neylan, John Francis.
Norman, R. S.
Older, Fremont, Mrs., 1875-1968
Osborne, George.
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912.
Republican Party (U.S.)
Robinson, Edgar Eugene, 1887-
Rogers, Frederick Rand, 1894-
Roseberry, L. H.
Shortridge, Samuel Morgan, b. 1861.
Simpson, Sidney Post, 1898-1949.
Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968.
Spaeth, Carl B.
Spreckels, Rudolph.
Sproul, Robert Gordon.
Stanford University--Administration.
Stanford University--Crothers Hall..
Stanford University--Crothers Memorial
Hall..
Stanford University. Board of Trustees.
Stanford, Jane Lathrop, 1828-1905.
Stanford, Thomas Welton, 1832-1918.
Stephens, William D.
Sterling, J. E. Wallace, (John Ewart Wallace),
1906-1985
Stone, Harlan Fiske, 1872-1946.
Swain, Robert E. (Robert Eccles),
1875-1961.
Terman, Frederick Emmons, 1900-1982
Tresidder, Donald Bertrand, 1894-1948
Warren, Earl, 1891-1974.
White, Andrew D.
Wilbur, Curtis D.
Wilbur, Ray L., (Ray Lyman), 1875-1949
Articles.
China --Foreign Relations --United States.
Judges.
Lawyers.
Monetary policy --United States.
News Clippings.
Photoprints
Scrapbooks
Speeches.
United States --Foreign relations --China.
United States --Foreign Relations.
Material removed from the collection
Five framed items were labelled and shelved with the picture collection in the
Department of Special Collections:
- Photograph or Painting of Jane L. Stanford
- Photograph or Painting of George Crothers
- Photograph or Painting of Thomas G. Crothers
- Printed note to Crothers from student residents of Crothers Hall, Nov. 17,
1951
- Letter from Herbert Hoover, copies of which can be found in the Crothers Papers
(in "Related correspondence," filed under "Hoover")
These five items were removed in 1962 at the time the collection was first arranged.
In May 1966 Ralph Hansen removed all the Trustee Minutes from the collection (formerly
in boxes 17 and 18). These Minutes were added to the group of Trustee Minutes in the
University Archives (#1011). Rather than renumber the rest of the boxes in the
collection, a note simply was made that Boxes 17 and 18 no longer existed. (For an exact
list of the Minutes transferred, see the original 1962 Register filed in the "Crothers"
correspondence file in the general files of University Archives.)
Collection Contents
Series I
Correspondence
Scope and Content Note
Boxes 1-4. Outgoing correspondence. Yellow tabs; in 95 folders. Letters of George
Crothers; arranged chronologically, April, 1905- April, 1957.
Boxes 5-8. Incoming correspondence. Blue tabs; in 95 folders. Letters to George
Crothers; arranged alphabetically by author of item and chronologically under each
signer.
Box 8. Related correspondence. Red tabs; in 12 folders. Letters neither sent by
Crothers nor sent to him. Filed alphabetically by author of item.
Box 9. Form letters. White tabs; in 13 folders. Mimeographed, dittoed or printed
letters received by Crothers although not directed to Crothers alone. Filed
alphabetically by author of item or by title of company, etc.
Boxes 9-12. Multiple copies of outgoing correspondence. Yellow tabs marked
"copies"; in 73 folders. These letters are merely duplicates of letters found in
Containers #l-4
Box 12. Multiple copies of incoming correspondence. Blue tabs marked "copies"; in
15 folders. These letters are merely duplicates of letters found in Containers
#5-8
Box 12. Multiple copies of related correspondence. Red tabs marked "copies"; in 4
folders. These letters are merely duplicates of letters in folders with red tabs
found in Container #8.
Box 1
Correspondence, out-going.
1905 Apr - 1923 Dec
Box 2
Correspondence, out-going.
1924 Jan - 1939 Dec
Box 3
Correspondence, out-going.
1940 Feb - 1947 Dec
Box 4
Correspondence, out-going.
1948 Jan - 1957 Apr
Box 5
Correspondence, in-coming. A - G
Box 6
Correspondence, in-coming. H - M
Box 7
Correspondence, in-coming. N - Sterling
Box 8
Correspondence, in-coming. Stillman - Z.
Box 8
Correspondence, related. A - Y
Box 9
Correspondence, in-coming (form letters) A - Y
Box 9
Correspondence, multiple copies of out-going.
1905-30
Box 10
Correspondence, multiple copies of out- going.
1931-44
Box 11
Correspondence, multiple copies of out-going.
1945-50
Box 12
Correspondence, multiple copies of out-going.
1951-56
Box 12
Correspondence, multiple copies of in-coming. A - Y
Box 12
Correspondence, multiple copies of related. A - W
Series II
Biographical Data
Scope and Content Note
White tabs; in 16 folders. Manuscript and typescript material containing
biographical data concerning Nathan Abbott, Elizabeth Mills Crothers, George
Crothers, William Filmer, Timothy Hopkins, Jane and Leland Stanford, Leland
Stanford, Jr. and Ray Lyman Wilbur. Arranged in alphabetical order under the
subject personality.
Box 13
Biographical data; Abbott - Willbur.
Series III
Speeches
Scope and Content Note
Green tabs; in 68 folders. Manuscript, typescript, and, in a few cases, printed
versions of speeches composed by George Crothers, Herbert Hoover, Jane Stanford
and others. The speeches are filed first alphabetically by the name of the
author-speaker and then chronologically by date of speech. The bulk of the section
contains copies of Crothers' speeches between 1907 and 1951. Many speeches concern
the founding of Stanford University and the school's early years. See also
published addresses included in section entitled "printed matter."
Box 13
Speeches: Branner - Crothers
to 1910
Box 14
Speeches: Crothers
1911-46
Box 15
Speeches: Crothers - Stanford, Jane
1948 - undated
Series IV
Articles
Scope and Content Note
Red tabs; in 20 folders. Manuscript and typescript copies of articles by Crothers
and others. Filed alphabetically by author and then chronologically by year of the
article. Eight folders contain various drafts, copies and outlines of an article
by Crothers on the legal history surrounding the early years of Stanford
University.
Box 16
Articles: Crothers - Smith
Series V
Stanford University Board of Trustees. Transactions.
Scope and Content Note
Blue tabs; in 28 folders. Manuscript and typescript versions of memoranda,
committee reports, lists of degrees, etc., pertinent to the work of the Stanford
Board of Trustees during the years from 1903 to 1912. Arranged alphabetically by
the subject of the material. A large bulk of the section deals with data collected
by Crothers and compiled in 1908 as a study of entrance requirements in colleges
and universities throughout the United States.
Box 19
Stanford Board of Trustees transactions.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects covered: Alumni - Stanford, Jane.
Series VI
Memoranda regarding Stanford University.
Scope and Content Note
Orange tabs; in 52 folders. Manuscript and typescript versions of memoranda
written by Crothers and others concerning Stanford University. Arranged
alphabetically by subject. Contains reminiscenses concerning campus life, notes on
religion at Stanford, and financial data and notes on Crothers and Crothers
Memorial Halls.
Box 20
Stanford University, memoranda re.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects covered: Administration - Founding Grant.
Box 21
Stanford University, memoranda re.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects covered: Harrison, Benjamin - Tuition.
Series VII
General Memoranda.
Scope and Content Note
Green tabs; in 15 folders. Manuscript or typescript versions of memoranda written
by or collected by George Crothers. Arranged alphabetically by subject. Folder #11
contains office memoranda. Folders #12-#15 contain fragmentary memoranda.
Box 21
General memoranda.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects covered: Education - US political affairs.
Series VIII
Organizational Data.
Scope and Content Note
Yellow tabs; in 13 folders. Manuscript and typescript material re. organizations
to which Crothers belonged. Arranged alphabetically by type of data (e.g.,
legislation, minutes).
Series IX
Legal Material.
Scope and Content Note
White tabs; in 16 folders. Manuscript and typescript data of a strictly legal
nature. Arranged alphabetically by type of document (e.g., case studies, leases).
Most of the documents in this section concern Stanford University. Included is a
photostatic copy of Jane Stanford's will.
Series X
Extracts.
Scope and Content Note
Orange tabs; in 21 folders. Manuscript and typescript excerpts from various books,
documents, speeches, etc., written by Crothers and others. Arranged alphabetically
by type of data (e.g., books) from which excerpts are drawn.
Series XI
Miscellaneous Data.
Scope and Content Note
Green tabs; in 18 folders. Material of a miscellaneous nature. Includes bills,
receipts, certificates, etc.
Series XII
Plans & Designs.
Scope and Content Note
Yellow tabs; in 13 folders. Various architectural plans and artistic designs.
Filed alphabetically by type of data. The bulk of the section contains designs for
Crothers Hall and Crothers Hemorial Hall at Stanford University.
Box 24
Architectural plans and designs.
Series XIII
Photographs.
Scope and Content Note
Red tabs; in 21 folders. First 8 folders contain photographic portraits and
snapshots with one person as subject. Filed alphabetically by name of subject.
Folders #9-12 contain photographs of large groups or snapshots at memorable
occasions. Filed chronologically by date of photo. Folders #13-19 contain general
photographs and pictures of landscapes and buildings. Filed alphabetically by
subject of photograph. In the last section much of the material concerns Crothers
Hall and Crothers Memorial Hall. Folder #20 contains miscellaneous negatives.
Box 24
Personal photographs
Scope and Content Note
Arranged alphabetically by subject: Crothers - Stanford.
Box 25
Group photographs; general photographs; negatives
Series XIV
Newspaper Clippings.
Scope and Content Note
Blue tabs; in 38 folders. Divided into two sections: 1) clippings re Stanford
University, 2) general clippings. All of the clippings are arranged alphabetically
by subject.
Box 25
Newspaper clippings re. Stanford University.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: Administration - Presidents.
Box 26
Newspaper clippings re. Stanford University.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: Religion - student affairs.
Box 26
Newspaper clippings on general subjects.
Scope and Content Note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: California - World Affairs.
Series XV
Printed Matter.
Scope and Content Note
Orange tabs. Folders are not numbered consecutively, because material is often too
large to permit storage in file folders.
Box 27. Books, booklets, bound articles,legal data.
Box 28. Unbound articles, published addresses, directories, reports,
pamphlets.
Box 29. Periodicals, magazines, bulletins.
Box 30. Commemorative data (e.g., programs, invitations) and miscellaneous.
Box 27
Printed matter: Books, booklets, bound articles, legal
data.
Box 28
Printed matter: unbound articles, addresses, pamphlets,
directories.
Box 29
Printed matter: periodicals, magazines, bulletins.
Box 30
Printed matter: commemorative data and newspapers.
Series XVI
Scrapbooks & Albums.
Scope and Content Note
This material is not boxed. Container numbers run consecutively from one bound
volume to the next.
Box 31
Scrapbook of miscellaneous news clippings
Box 32
Scrapbook containing clippings of "The Story of Stanford
University"
Box 33
Scrapbook containing further clippings of "The Story of Stanford
University"
Box 34
Album of photographs concerning the construction of Crothers
Hall
Box 35
Notebook containing photostatic copy of memoirs concerning Battle of
Santiago, 1898
Series XVII
Oversized Materials.
Box 36
Wrapped package
Scope and Content Note
Stored in wrapping paper. Contains printed copies of 1) Statute for Permanent
Court of International Justice, 2) "The Christmas Wasp"; photographs of G. E.
Crothers, Herbert Hoover, Charles G. Lathrop, David Starr Jordan, George
Osborne and Crothers Hall; various awards and certificates.
