Guide to the George E.Crothers Papers SC0130
University Archives staff
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
October 2010
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Language of Material:
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Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: George E. Crothers papers
Identifier/Call Number: SC0130
Physical Description:
22.5 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1905-1957
Abstract: 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).
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
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.
Missing Title
| 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.
Material removed from the collection
Five framed items were labelled and shelved with the picture collection in the Department
of Special Collections:
Missing Title
- 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.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- Foreign relations -- China
Articles.
Photoprints.
Speeches.
Judges.
Lawyers.
Newsclippings.
Monetary policy -- United States.
China -- Foreign relations -- United States
Scrapbooks
United States -- Foreign relations
Shortridge, Samuel Morgan, b. 1861.
Simpson, Sidney Post
Sinclair, Upton
Rogers, Frederick Rand
Roseberry, L. H.
Spreckels, Rudolph.
Sproul, Robert Gordon.
Spaeth, Carl B.
Carpenter, Thomas P.
Stanford University. Board of Trustees
Chandler, Harry.
Stone, Harlan Fiske
Boynton, Albert E.
Swain, Robert E. (Robert Eccles)
Burk, Frederic
Terman, Frederick Emmons, 1900-1982
Wilbur, Curtis D.
Stephens, William D.
White, Andrew Dickson,
Warren, Earl
Stanford, Thomas Welton
Lane, Franklin K.
Jordan, David Starr
Cubberley, Ellwood Patterson
Lane, Arthur Bliss.
Kirkwood, Marion.
Wilbur, Ray L. (Ray Lyman)
MacArthur, Walter.
Lurie, Louis R.
Lillick, Ira.
Leib, Samuel F. 1848-1924.
Older, Fremont, Mrs.
Norman, R. S.
Neylan, John Francis.
Kefauver, Grayson Neikirk
Robinson, Edgar Eugene
Morell, George
Elliott, Orrin Leslie
Cowley, W. H. (William Harold)
Republican Party (U.S.)
Hughes, Charles Evans, 1962-1948
Reid, Whitelaw
Osborne, George.
Keesling, Francis V. (Francis Valentine)
Davis, Horace
French, Will J. (Will John), b. 1871
Fuller, W. Palmer.
Gerberding, Elizabeth.
Abbott, Nathan, 1854-1941
Hoover, Herbert
Gunst, Morgan.
Stanford University. Crothers Hall
Hassett, William D.
Hayes, J. O.
Howe, Louis M. (Louis McHenry)
Stanford, Jane Lathrop
Jones, Herbert C. (Herbert Coffin)
Sterling, J. E. Wallace (John Ewart Wallace)
Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933
Considine, John W.
Hopkins, Timothy
Johnson, Hiram, 1866-1945
Eurich, Alvin C. (Alvin Christian)
Crothers, George E. (George Edward)
Dailey, M. E.
Cutler, Leland W. (Leland Whitman)
Dern, George T.
Downs, Winfield Scott
Dinkelspiel, Lloyd W.
Edwards, Paul C. (Paul Carroll)
Tresidder, Donald Bertrand
Dunn, Francis.
Eells, Walter C.
James, William
Correspondence Series I
Scope and Contents 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
Biographical Data Series II
Scope and Contents 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.
Speeches Series III
Scope and Contents 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
1897-1904
Articles Series IV
Scope and Contents 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
Stanford University Board of Trustees. Transactions. Series V
Scope and Contents 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 Contents note
Subjects covered: Alumni - Stanford, Jane.
Memoranda regarding Stanford University. Series VI
Scope and Contents 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 Contents note
Subjects covered: Administration - Founding Grant.
Box 21
Stanford University, memoranda re.
Scope and Contents note
Subjects covered: Harrison, Benjamin - Tuition.
General Memoranda. Series VII
Scope and Contents 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 Contents note
Subjects covered: Education - US political affairs.
Organizational Data. Series VIII
Scope and Contents 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).
Legal Material. Series IX
Scope and Contents 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.
Extracts. Series X
Scope and Contents 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.
Miscellaneous Data. Series XI
Scope and Contents note
Green tabs; in 18 folders. Material of a miscellaneous nature. Includes bills,
receipts, certificates, etc.
Plans & Designs. Series XII
Scope and Contents 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.
Photographs. Series XIII
Scope and Contents 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 Contents note
Arranged alphabetically by subject: Crothers - Stanford.
Box 25
Group photographs; general photographs; negatives
Newspaper Clippings. Series XIV
Scope and Contents 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 Contents note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: Administration - Presidents.
Box 26
Newspaper clippings re. Stanford University.
Scope and Contents note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: Religion - student affairs.
Box 26
Newspaper clippings on general subjects.
Scope and Contents note
Subjects, arranged alphabetically: California - World Affairs.
Printed Matter. Series XV
Scope and Contents 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.
Scrapbooks & Albums. Series XVI
Scope and Contents 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 31
Album of photographs concerning the construction of Crothers Hall
Box 32
Scrapbook containing clippings of "The Story of Stanford
University"
Box 32
Scrapbook containing further clippings of "The Story of Stanford
University"
Box 32
Notebook containing photostatic copy of memoirs concerning Battle of
Santiago, 1898
Oversized Materials. Series XVII
Box 33
Wrapped package
Scope and Contents 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.
Box 34
A Legal History of the Titles, Trusts and Organization of the Leland Stanford
Junior University
1963
General
Compiled from Material in the George E. Crothers Collection Division of Special
Collections Stanford University Libraries.
General
Volumes I-III
