Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Letters to Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne, 1931, Accession #11271, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This material was made a gift to the Library by Peter Houck of Lynchburg, Virginia, on November 17, 1996.

Biographical/Historical Information

Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis was a member of a prominent Virginia family, as well as an aunt of Lady Nancy Astor, and was an activist for women's rights.

Scope and Content Information

There are two letters, February 1931, written to Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne (Mrs. John H.) Lewis (1851-1946) of Lynchburg, Virginia, concerning women's issues, along with a copy of Mrs. Lewis' obituary, January 1946. A letter, February 19, 1931, from Rosewell Page, Chairman, Finance Committee, of the Cooperative Education Association of Virginia, requests a list of persons who might be interested in becoming contributing members of the Association. The letter comments on the purpose of the Association as "helping people to help themselves in providing the best school, health, home, civic and social conditions for their respective communities." On February 24, 1931, Mrs. Randolph Maynard, Chairman of the State Central Committee, Liberal Arts College for Women at Charlottesville, an affiliate of the University of Virginia, writes requesting her support in regards to a statement for Edwin Anderson Alderman, President of the University of Virginia. A rough copy of the statement, February 26, to Alderman is included; it regards the need for "a dignified and suitable building" to be designated "to house the activities and furnish suitable social quarters for the graduate and professional women students." The statement also advises Alderman of its support by the women alumnae of the University, the presidents of various state-wide women's organizations, and individual women prominent in the social, professional, educational and civic life of Virginia. At this time, the University of Virginia was the only institution in Virginia offering post graduate work to women for degrees, and there was a need to promote scholarship and create an atmosphere conducive to persuing an education. The obituary contains information on the family, social, and professional aspects of Mrs. Lewis' life.