Leland Stanford papers, 1841-1909

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Summary

Creators:
Stanford, Leland
Extent:
6.25 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Leland Stanford Papers (SC0033A). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence, telegrams; business, legal, financial, and official papers; speeches, journals, and newsclippings; and other materials relating to the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, Stanford's political career, business and financial interests, and the founding and construction of Stanford University.

Biographical / historical:

Leland Stanford was born March 9, 1824 in Watervliet Township, New York. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1848 and married Jane Lathrop in 1850. In 1852, Stanford moved to California where he first worked as a storekeeper in Mother Lode mining camps and later became a successful Sacramento businessman. Stanford was a leader in organizing the Republican party in California and was elected governor in 1861 at the age of 37. Early in the 1860s, Stanford joined with three other Sacramento merchants--Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, and Collis P. Huntington--in the building of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1885, Leland and Jane founded Leland Stanford Jr. University in memory of their son. Stanford died June 21, 1893 during his second term as United States Senator.

Custodial history:

Gifts of Jane Lathrop Stanford, Thomas Welton Stanford, David Starr Jordan, Helen Stanford Canfield, David H. Canfield, and others; also includes purchases.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The materials are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Leland Stanford Papers (SC0033A). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Stanford University Archives, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Website