Collection Guide
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Cator (Thomas V.) Papers
M0032
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Thomas Vincent Cator Papers
Creator:
Cator, Thomas Vincent
Identifier/Call Number: M0032
Identifier/Call Number: 189
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1881-1941
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Harold F. Taggart, 1960, 1962, and 1963.
Thomas Vincent Cator was born in Roxbury, New York on July 18, 1851. He spent his early years on a farm, attending the local
academy when possible. After having taught school at the age of seventeen, Cator attended Cornell University. Upon graduation
he entered a New York law firm and soon developed political interests. In 1880 Cator established residence in Jersey City
and held an alderman's office for two years.
Having been bothered with malaria fever for some time, Cator journeyed to San Francisco, California in 1887. It was not long
until he was involved in politics again, and in 1889, Cator married Miss Ethel Chapman.
Politically, Cator was at one time or another an Anti-Monopolist, a Republican, a Democrat, a Prohibitionist, a Nationalist,
and a Populist. His most significant political contribution was as the leader of the Populist Party in California from 1890
until its dissolution in 1898. Cator ran for the U.S. Senate on the Populist ticket in 1892, 1894, and 1896, unsuccessfully
in each effort. In 1901 he was appointed to the Elections Commission of the city of San Francisco and he served until his
death, most of the time as president of the commission. He died on Sept. [19], 1920 of a heart attack.
Page from library catalog:
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/4082738
[Identification of item] Thomas Vincent Cator Papers, M032, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
The Cator Papers are largely the correspondence received by Vincent Cator at the time of his involvement in the People's Party
and afterwards, 1883-1915. Included in the collection are 16 letters written by Cator on various political subjects from 1894-1915.
In addition, there are several papers of a legal nature and a biography written by Harold F. Taggart. There are also newspaper
clippings of Cator's activities.
Of primary interest is the correspondence concerning Cator's relationship with the Populist Movement in California and New
Jersey, and Cator's position on such issues as government ownership of railroads, free silver, anti-monopoly, and women's
sufferage.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. When required,
it is the researcher's responsibility to obtain such permissions.