Williams, John Edward, Papers John Edward Williams Papers, 1892-1940 Ms.1956.005

John Edward Williams Papers, 1892-1940 Ms.1956.005


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1956.005
Title
John Edward Williams Papers 1892-1940
Quantity
0.6 Cubic Feet, 1 box and 1 oversize folder
Creator
Williams, John Edward, 1867-1943
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
This collection contains the papers of John Edward Williams (1867-1943), professor of mathematics (1903-1924) and Dean of the College (1924-1943) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Materials include class notes taken by Williams as a graduate student at the University of Virginia; notes and solutions for various mathematical problems; texts of Williams' speeches; printed articles by Williams and others; and diplomas and membership certificates.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John Edward Williams Papers, Ms1956-005, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John Edward Williams Papers were donated to Newman Library in 1956.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the John Edward Williams Papers commenced and was completed in October 2007.


Biographical Note

John Edward Williams (1867-1943) was a Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) mathematics professor and Dean of the College. He was born in Charlotte County, Virginia on September 17, 1867, to Albert H. and Matilda Berkeley Williams. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1892, before serving as principal of Boydton High School for two years. From 1894 to 1895, Williams served as assistant principal of Roanoke's Commerce Street School, then returned to Boydton as a private instructor for Col. Thomas F. Goode.

Williams next entered a special course in pure mathematics at the University of Virginia in 1896, obtaining his master's degree in 1899 and doctoral degree in 1902. He served as a mathematics instructor at the university from 1899 until 1903, when he was appointed to the mathematics department at VPI.

In 1924, Williams was named VPI's Dean of the College, a position he held until his death. Williams also served on the State Board of Education and on the Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees and was a member of several mathematics- and science-related societies. In 1925, Hampden-Sydney conferred upon him an honorary doctorate of laws.

Williams married Sallie Taylor Patton, daughter of Col. William M. Patton, in 1905. The couple had three children. Williams died in Blacksburg on April 19, 1943.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the papers of John Edward Williams, a professor of mathematics (1903-1924) and Dean of the College (1924-1943) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The collection contains notes kept by Williams while a graduate student in courses taught by James Morris Page, William H. Echols, and others at the University of Virginia. There are several notebooks devoted to various mathematical problems and solutions, together with texts of a number of Williams' speeches, as well as a small set of printed articles written by Williams, Page, Echols, and others. Williams' diplomas and membership certificates complete the collection.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by document type, then chronologically.

Related Material

See also the Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams, RG 11/2, at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Faculty
  • University History
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (1872-1896)
  • Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the John Edward Williams Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )

Container List

box-folder 1 folder: 1
Notes from University of Virginia Master's Astronomy Course
1897
box-folder 1 folder: 2
Notes from mathematics lectures of Professor William H. Echols
1897
box-folder 1 folder: 3
Notes on J. M. Page's Invariants of Groups
1898
box-folder 1 folder: 4
"Notes on analysis, from the lectures of Prof. William H. Echols"
1899
box-folder 1 folder: 5
Notes from J. M. Page's Doctoral Mathematics Course
ca. 1900
box-folder 1 folder: 6
"Exercises in strength of materials by Wm. M. Thornton; solved by J. E. Williams"
1902
box-folder 1 folder: 7
"Report on Experiments: Senior Physics"
1902
box-folder 1 folder: 8
Miscellaneous notes and outlines for various mathematical theorems
n. d.
box-folder 1 folder: 9
"Examples in groups" problems and solutions
n. d.
[2 items]
box-folder 1 folder: 10
"Notes on Ph.D. math groups"
n. d.
[3 items]
box-folder 1 folder: 11
Texts of speeches by Williams
1930-1940
box-folder 1 folder: 12
Printed materials
1895-1929, n. d.
  • Echols, Robert Lewis, A Correspondence in geometry: and some properties of pseudo homochiral and pseudo heterochiral configurations
    1929
  • Echols, Robert Lewis, The Roots of circulants and application to the roots of polynomials
    1928
  • Echols, W. H., "On the expansion of a function without use of derivatives"
    1895
  • Page, J. M., "The General transformation of the group of Euclidian movements"
    n. d.
  • Page, J. M., "Transformation groups." Annals of mathematics 8(4): 117-133
    n. d.
  • Wentworth, Charles C., "Line and surface for railway curves." American Society of Civil Engineers Transactions 48: 357-370
    1902
    [reprint]
  • Williams, J. E. and R. B. H. Begg, "A Transition curve." Engineering Experiment Station of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute Bulletin
    1923
  • Williams J. E., On the geometry of the transformation group (p, q, r, xq, yp, zr, xp--yq, 2 2 r)
    1899
oversize folder: 1
Oversize Materials
  • Diplomas
    1892-1903
  • Hampden-Sidney College Honorary Degree
    1925
  • Raven Society Membership Certificate
    1926