Use Restrictions

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.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Charles L. C. Minor Annotated The Real Lincoln , Ms2013-057,, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Charles L. C. Minor Annotated The Real Lincoln was purchased by Special Collections in December 2012.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Charles L. C. Minor Annotated The Real Lincoln was completed in August 2013.

Biographical Note

Charles Landon Carter Minor was born December 3, 1835 in Hanover, Virginia to Lucius H. Minor and Catherine Frances Berkeley Minor. Charles Minor attended the University of Virginia, graduating with a Mater of the Arts in 1858. During the Civil War, Minor served under Stonewall Jackson and saw action at Manassas and in battles around Richmond. Following the war he started a private school, but soon was offered and accepted the position of President at the Maryland Agricultural College. He went on to preside over the University of the South in Tennessee. Having been offered the presidency of the newly established Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, Minor opened the school in 1872.

During his presidency, Minor petitioned for and was appropriated money to expand the campus from the one building it had at the time, the Preston and Olin building. A library was also established during his term. Minor was removed from office in 1879 following a physical dispute with Professor James H. Lane over taking a more martial organization of the college. Following his dismissal from VAMC, Minor continued to teach at institutions throughout Virginia.

Charles Minor married Frances Ansley Cazenove, daughter of Lewis Casenove, Esq., of Alexandria, Virginia, in 1860. Together they had two children, Fannie, who married the Rev. James F. Plummer, of Washington, D. C., and Anne Cazenove, who married the Rev. Andrew G. Grinnan, of Weston, West Virginia. Charles Minor died at the home of his brother-in-law, R. M. Fontaine, Esq., in Albemarle county, Virginia, on July 13, 1903.

Scope and Content

The collection contains a first edition copy of The Real Lincoln belonging to the essay's author, Charles L.C. Minor. The Real Lincoln is a passionately anti-Lincoln essay seeking to lower what Minor considers a too inflated reputation. Published in 1901, the pamphlet is 66 pages in length and was later expanded into a 230-page book. The essay examines Lincoln's reputation for bravery, the authenticity of his belief in Christianity, his rapport with his peers, and the legality of his decisions regarding the Civil War. The copy in the collection includes numerous marginal notes, additions and corrections, and several portions are removed by razor. The copy is signed twice by Minor.

The pamphlet also includes an anti-Lincoln essay written by Lyon Gardiner Tyler, son of President John Tyler and President of William and Mary College from 1888-1919.

A color copy of the original 1901 pamphlet was printed and added to the collection for contextual purposes. A print copy of of the 1901 edition of The Real Lincoln is cataloged for the Special Collections and University Archives Rare Book Collection.

Related Material

Ms2008-081, Charles L. C. Minor Cash Book and Edward P. Harmon Civil War Diary Collection, 1860-1864. Finding aid available online.

A print copy of of the 1901 edition of The Real Lincoln is cataloged for the Special Collections and University Archives Rare Book Collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865