Ward Sykes Allen Family Papers
Scope and Contents
This .42 linear foot collection is comprised of two series. Series I contains correspondence written to Ward Allen from his family and friends during his college years. The correspondence is in the form of letters, postal cards, and greeting cards. This material is arranged alphabetically by first name, with their relationship if known, then by date. Where dates were not included on the letter, the postmark date from the envelope has been used. Series II relates to Dr. James H. Joyner of Sumner County, Tennessee. It contains information on property ownership (tax receipts, insurance policies, mortgage), stock dividend receipts, and lists of medical debts owed to Dr. Joyner for his services (see also, James H. Joyner Collection, MSS #232).
Dates
- Creation: 1938 - 1942
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.
Biographical / Historical
Ward Sykes Allen (1922-2017), son of Newton Clarence and Lou Willie Sykes Allen was born on July 10, 1922 in Nashville, Tennessee. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, Masters, and PhD in English from Vanderbilt University in 1947, 1949, and 1963, respectively. While pursuing his PhD, he was also an instructor at Vanderbilt University. Allen was a professor at Auburn University from 1964-1987, and he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972-1973 for his discovery of the notes of John Bois, the secretary of the King James translators of the Bible. Allen died in Lexington, Kentucky on December 3, 2017. James H. Joyner, a relative of Allen, was a medical doctor in Sumner County, Tennessee during the late 19th century.
Full Extent
0.42 Linear Feet (2 letter half-Hollingers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Ward Sykes Allen Family Papers, 1857-1942, contains the correspondence of professor and scholar Ward Sykes Allen, 1922-2017, and the business and financial papers of Dr. James H. Joyner, a relative of Allen.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated by Ward Sykes Allen.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Ward Sykes Allen Family 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
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
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.