A Guide to Correspondence of Alexander Gordon Gilliam 1925-1931 Gilliam, Alexander Gordon, Letters, 1925-1931 10589-a

A Guide to Correspondence of Alexander Gordon Gilliam 1925-1931

A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 10589-a

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Repository

Special Collections, University of Virginia Library

Accession number

10589-a

Title

Correspondence of Alexander Gordon Gilliam 1925-1934

Physical Characteristics

20 items

Language

English

Abstract

The collection contains twenty letters, 1925-1934, from Alexander Gordon Gilliam to his brother, Richard Davenport Gilliam, regarding life at the University of Virginia, and fund raising for Beta Theta Pi's chapter house.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Correspondence of Alexander Gordon Gilliam, 1925-1934, Accession #10589-a, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This accession was made a gift to the Library on February 9, 1987, by Alexander Gordon Gilliam, Jr., Office of the President, University of Virginia. There are no restrictions on the material.

Scope and Content Information

This collection contains twenty items: six letters, 1934, concerning fund raising for the Omicron Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Virginia; and, fourteen letters, 1925-1931, from Alexander Gordon Gilliam, while a student at the University, to his brother, Richard Davenport Gilliam, Jr.

During 1934, the Omicron Chapter of Beta Theta Pi was faced with a severe financial situation. Edward M. Hudgins, President of the Chapter, contacted the members of their Alumni Committee on Chapter Finance, explained the situation and sought the members' assistance in obtaining contributions. The resulting correspondence is concerned with raising funds for the Chapter.

Alexander Gordon Gilliam's letters from the University reveal his deep respect and affection for the school, not only through his personal thoughts but also by his willingness to organize fellow students in a united cause. While working toward his B.A. in Biology, he wrote his brother about bids to Phi Beta Kappa and the Raven Society, an address given by John Powell to the Anglo-Saxon Club in May 1925, and his being one of four chosen to represent the University in the applications for the Rhodes Scholarships. On June 6, 1925, he wrote an interesting letter expounding his beliefs toward public drunkenness--its causes and consequences, the advantages of exposure to "liberal thought and culture," and the promotion of individualism in University men. Persons mentioned include Southgate Leigh, Julien Green, Armistead Boothe, Hill Carter, and C. Venable Minor.

After graduation in June 1926, Gilliam travelled to China and taught at St. John's in Shanghai for a year. In the fall of 1927, he returned to Charlottesville and entered the University's Medical School. His correspondence with his brother continued, and an exchange between them in November 1929 discussed the ideal of the "Virginia Spirit." There are also references to "gumming sessions" concerned with the changing University and methods of effecting a smooth transition.