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], William Martin Johnson Papers, Ms1982-017, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William Martin Johnson Papers was completed in April 2015.

Biographical Note

William Martin Johnson was born to Ormond Watson and Minnie (Martin) Johnson on July 6, 1904. He graduated with B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1928 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He went on to work as a Civil Engineer for Wiley and Wilson, consulting engineers in Lynchburg, Virginia, eventually becoming chairman of the company board. He also wrote a book about the company, A history of Wiley & Wilson, Inc. : a professional organization since 1901 / a first person narrative history by William Martin Johnson ([s.i.]: W. M. Johnson, copyright 1986).

During World War II, Johnson served in the Construction unit of the Sanitary Corps from May 1943 until May 1946, rising to the rank of Captain.

Johnson died on December 8, 1991, and is buried alongside his family in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg. He served at least 31 months in Mexico.

External sources:

Card for William Martin Johnson, Class of 1928 section, Box 5, V.P.I. Alumni Association World War II Alumni Cards, RG 29d, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

William Martin Johnson death certificate in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/4855641:9278 , accessed April 22, 2024.

"William Martin Johnson", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124169388/william_martin_johnson , accessed April 22, 2024.

Scope and Content

The papers in this collection include both personal and professional correspondence, ranging from November 1932 to March 1977. Johnson wrote to representatives at Public Works, American Society of Civil Engineers, the Department of Architectural Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and the War Assets Administration, among others. His letters discuss matters related to Civil Engineering. There are two photographs: one of Virginia Episcopal School, and one of Longwood College in Farmville, Virginia. This collection also features issues of The Newcomen Bulletin for North America from January 1963 to May 1973.

Arrangement

The William Martin Johnson Papers is organized in three series by material type. Series I: Correspondence includes personal and professional correspondence to and from Johnson between 1937 and about 1977. The majority of the letters relating to civil engineering topics. Series II: The Newcomen Bulletin for North America contains a collection of bulletins dating between 1963 and 1973. This series includes most, if not all, issues between 1963 and 1969, as well as scattered issues between 1970 and 1973. Series III: Papers and Ephemera consists of reports, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other personal papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Science and Technology
• Students and alumni
• University History
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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