Lester Frank Ward papers (Ms.90.23)

Series 1. Correspondence, ca. 1863-1913
56.0 boxes

Box 1-56
This series consists of two indexes (Subseries A and B)and three groups of actual correspondence (Subseries C, D, and E). The correspondence, amounting to about fifty-eight hundred letters is arranged in three groups according to Ward's own scheme.

Subseries A. Handwritten card index of correspondence and publications, ca. 1863-1913
3.0 boxes

Box 1-3
A handwritten card index, in three boxes, prepared by Ward as a key to much of his correspondence as well as to the publications and reviews/press notices which are part of Series 2 and Series 3. Alphabetically arranged according to personal names, subjects, and titles, this index seems quite complete and can be used to supplement other forms of access to the "Biography" (Series 1, Subseries C) and "Autograph" (Series 1, Subseries E) groups of correspondence.

Subseries B. Record of correspondence, 1882-1889
1.0 box

Box 4
Related to Series 1, Subseries A but less comprehensive, Subseries B lists the names of people with whom Ward exchanged letters during those years.

Subseries C. Correspondence: Biography letter books, 1863-1912
10.0 boxes

Box 4-13
The first of the correspondence groups consists of seven volumes (now disbound) of letters, notes, and postcards; notices of conferences attended and honors received; programs; membership cards, and related items which, as Ward intended, present a documentary biographical record of his life. Researchers should refer to the following list and also make use of Wards' own handwritten card index in Series 1, Subseries A. The content lists for the corresponding microfilm reels are keyed, not only to the boxes and folders in which the material is presently stored, but also to the volume and page numbers of the disbound scrapbooks.

Subseries D. Miscellaneous other correspondence, 1865-1913
21.0 boxes

Box 18-38
Letters from a large number of individuals and organizations; also includes some of Ward's outgoing letters. Ward apparently considered these materials to be less important as reflections of his career than those he placed in the "Biography" volumes (Series 1, Subseries C) or the "Autograph" volumes (Series 1, Subseries E); nevertheless, they do include letters from William James, Theodore Dreiser, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Thorstein Veblen, Asa Gray, and other noted contemporaries. The materials are arranged alphabetically by correspondent's name within given date spans and filed in twenty-one boxes.

D-1. 1865-1875, 1865-1875
less than 1 box

Box 18, Folder 1

D-2. 1876-1887
less than 1 box

Box 18, Folder 2-23

D-3. 1888-1896
6.0 boxes

Box 19-24