William Beard Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS.0037

Scope and Contents

The paper contain two scrapbooks, one limited to only clippings, the other scrapbook has newspaper clippings, photographs, letters, pamphlets, booklets, itineraries, newsletters, Navy Day event-related papers, bulletins, a poem, and a resume. Also included is a publication titled: “Men Make the Navy,” a series of 20 articles.

Dates

  • Creation: 1919 - 1948

Conditions Governing Access

The physical materials from this collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections and University Archives. Materials should be requested two to three days in advance to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.

Biography of William Beard

William Beard (1873-1950) was a soldier, journalist, war correspondent, naval historian and long-time officer of the Tennessee Historical Commission and member of the Tennessee Historical Society. Beard was born on July 12, 1873, at Estill Springs, Tennessee, son of Captain Richard and Maria L. Dromgoole Beard of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 1897, Beard, who was a former Vanderbilt quarterback, first applied the "Commodore" nickname as a staffer at the Nashville Banner. He enrolled June 25, 1898, with the United States Volunteers (U.S.V) and served as Quartermaster Sergeant 4th Tennessee, U.S.V. to November 1, 1898. William Beard married Ada Scott Rice on June 9, 1909. In 1943, he became an accredited Navy War Correspondent.

Full Extent

0.63 Linear Feet (1 letter Hollinger, 1 legal half-Hollinger)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The William Beard Papers, 1919-1948, newspaper clippings, photographs, letters, pamphlets, and other documents related to the United States Navy career of William Beard, 1873-1950.

Related Materials

Additional William Beard Papers are available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Title
Finding Aid for the William Beard Papers
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States

About this Site

This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.

Requesting Materials

Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.