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
Alexandra Dowrey, Graduate Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1989.020
Title
Robert Selph Henry Papers, 1861-1971
Quantity
4.3 Cubic Feet, 4 boxes
Creator
Henry, Robert Selph, 1889-1970
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Spanning 1861 to 1971, The Robert Selph Henry Papers consist of correspondence, subject files, photographs, and clippings
concerning Henry's research on the Civil War, focusing on the Confederacy and Nathan Bedford Forrest, and also railroad history.
This collection also contains Henry's Southern Historical Association (SHA) and Association of American Railroads papers.
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
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Robert Selph Henry Papers, Ms1989-020, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The collection was acquired by Virginia Tech Special Collections in 1989.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert Selph Henry Papers was completed in July 2013.
Robert Selph Henry (1889-1970) was born in Clifton, Tennessee on October 20, 1889. He graduated from Vanderbilt University
with an L.L.B. in 1910 and a BA in 1911. He served as a Captain of Field Artillery in WWI, and remained in the Army Reserve,
rising to the rank of colonel, until his retirement in 1952. He worked for the newspaper in Nashville (1907-1913), served
as secretary to the Governor of Tennessee (1913-1915), practiced as a lawyer in Nashville (1915-1921), and worked for the
railroads, first as Director of Public Relations for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway (1921-1928), then as
Assistant to the Vice President of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railrway (1928-1934), and lastly as as the Vice
President of the Association of American Railroads (1934-1958).
Henry was also a historian of the Civil War and the railroads. He published several books including The Story of the Confederacy
(1931), The Story of Reconstruction (1938), First with the Most Forrest (1944), and This Fascinating Railroad Business (1942).
Henry also served as President of the Southern Historical Association (SHA; 1957).
The Robert Selph Henry Papers consist of correspondence, subject files, photographs, and clippings concerning Henry's research
on the Civil War, focusing on the Confederacy and Nathan Bedford Forrest, and also railroad history. Most subject files involve
research notes and photocopies or transcriptions of primary sources such as diaries, letters, and reminiscences. This collection
also contains Henry's Southern Historical Association (SHA) and Association of American Railroads papers.
The collection dates from 1861 to 1971; however, most of the Civil War letters and diaries contained in this collection appear
to be either later reprints, transcriptions, or copies of the original. The dates given in this finding aid correspond to
the year for the original document. Many of the photographs are reproductions as well.
The following book has been removed from the collection and has been catalogued for the rare book collection: Diary of Capt. Heber S. Thompson, Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, May to December, 1864