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 to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Samuel Edwin Carnahan Diploma, Ms1988-066, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was purchased to Special Collections and University Archives in November 1988.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and basic description of the Samuel Edwin Carnahan Diploma was completed prior to 2011 with additional description completed in 2021.

Biographical Note

Samuel Edwin Carnahan was born to John A. and Fannie May Carnahan on November 3 or 8, 1884, in Pulaski, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1907 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Carnahan married Sarah Penelope Moulton (1888-1974) in Rhode Island on September 15, 1917, and they had several children. They later moved to Connecticut before settling in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Over the years, Carnahan worked as an engineer in an ammunition factory, radio store, and most frequently automotive factories.

Carnahan died on July 7, 1970, in Cleveland, and is buried alongside his wife in Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski, Virginia.

External Sources:

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1900-1950

"Samuel Edwin Carnahan" entry, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36664486/samuel-edwin-carnahan , accessed March 29, 2021.

"Saml. Edwin Carnahan" in the Virginia, U.S., Birth Registers, 1853-1911, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/751558:62153 , accessed October 9, 2023.

"Samuel E Carnahan" in the Rhode Island, U.S., Marriage Index, 1851-1920, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/167676:4263 , accessed October 9, 2023.

"Samuel E Carnahan" in the Ohio, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2018, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/324068:5763 , accessed October 9, 2023.

Scope and Content

The Samuel Edwin Carnahan Diploma contains Carnahan's 1907 diploma for a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (VPI), signed by VPI president John McBryde and the Board of Visitors.

Related Material

The Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives also has the Diploma Collection, Ms2019-039.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Carnahan, Samuel Edwin, 1884-1970
• Students and alumni
• University Archives
• University History
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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