Processed by: Jacob Todd, Student Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist,
Special Collections
Repository
Special Collections, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, Va.
Collection Number
Ms2015-014
Title
Frank L. Robeson Papers, 1899-1952, n.d.
Physical Characteristics
7.6 cu. ft.
6 boxes
Creator
Robeson, Frank Leigh, 1884-
Language
English
Abstract
The collection includes papers from Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic
Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his nearly 50 years
as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1952.
Permission to publish material from Frank L. Robeson Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Frank L. Robeson Papers, Ms2015-014,
Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Acquisition Information
The Frank L. Robeson Papers were acquired by Special Collections prior to 2008. They are believed to have been donated to
the library, probably after Dr. Robeson's death in 1974.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Frank L. Robeson Papers was completed in July 2015.
Frank L. (Leigh) Robeson was born on June 24, 1884 in Farmville, Virginia, to George M. and Anna M. Robeson. In 1912, he married
Mary Anna Matthews (1888-). They had 5 children: Helen (b. 1913), Mary (b. 1915), Martha (b. 1921), Amenta (b. 1922), and
Andrew (b. 1927). Robeson died in September 1974 in Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Virginia. He is buried in Westview Cemetery.
Robeson graduated from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute with a B. S. in 1904. Between
1904 and 1907, he served as an instructor in Mathematics and Drawing and later in Mathematics and Graphics. From 1910-1913,
he was an instructor in Mathematics and Experimental Engineering. In 1913, he received an M. A. from Columbia University.
From 1913-1917, he served as an Associate Professor of Physics and from 1917-1955 (except for a leave in 1922/1923) as a Professor
of Physics. He completed a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins in 1923 before returning to teach at VPI. Between 1036 and 1941, he was
the head of the Physics Department. After retiring in September 1954, he was granted emeritus status. In honor of his long
career at VPI as a student and teacher, the Department of Physics building, completed in 1960, was dedicated "Robeson Hall"
in 1969. A portrait of him hangs in the building.
The collection includes papers from Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic
Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his nearly 50 years
as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1952. The papers contain notebooks and students sketch/composition
books; personal correspondence; research on topics relating to math, physics, and drawing; notes and lectures from classes
taught; Virginia Academy of Science documents; papers; and publications; and a few photographs and negatives.
The original file names were retained when the collection was processed. Some related folders were consolidated and duplicates
removed. The collection is arranged in chronological order with the undated materials in the last box.
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