Printed ephemera

The William B. Ricks Collection is an archive of personal letters, photographs and other effects belonging to Rev. Dr. William B. Ricks. Most of the collection’s contents are from the 1930s to the 1950s. “Daddy” Ricks worked endlessly to promote the Sigma Chi fraternity in the South. A notable part of the collection is a 1948 presentation album of correspondence with fellow Sigma Chi’s celebrating Rev. Dr. Ricks’ contributions to the fraternity. The album includes correspondence from prominent Sigma Chi members consulting Ricks on personal matters. This is a testament to the respect that Sigma Chi members had for Rev. Dr. Ricks.

The contents of the collection are arranged into four boxes: personal correspondence, photographs, portraits of William B. Ricks, and personal ephemera. The letters in the collection are arranged chronologically and by person. The photographs are arranged by subject. The personal ephemera include newspaper clippings, awards, personal correspondence with fellow Sigma Chi, Rev. Ricks’ Holy Bible and a presentation album from 1948. Ricks’ personal correspondence with family members, particularly with his daughter, provides an excellent insight into the personal character of Ricks’ personality, creed and philosophy.