Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Roger Pattrell Bristol, Accession #9516-d, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was made a gift to the Library by Mrs. Roger P. Bristol of Cockeysville, Maryland, on September 3, 1986.

Biographical/Historical Information

Roger P. Bristol was born on July 15, 1903, in Ascutney, Vermont. He received his B.A. (1923) and M.A. (1926) degrees in English at Boston University; and later received his M.L.S. (1949) from Simmons College. Prior to accepting the position of Head of the Preparations Division at Alderman Library in 1954, he served at Peabody Institute, and was the head cataloger at the Boston Public Library from 1947-1949. Bristol was responsible for many library systems improvements, especially in the addition of modern equipment. He researched the use of a closed-circuit television system in a decentralized library situation. He wrote numerous books, essays, and monographs on early American imprints as well as the vast Supplement to Charles Evans' American Bibliography. During his last ten years at the University, he served as Engineering Librarian in the School of Engineering where he directed a program which resulted in a significant expansion of facilities and services.

Scope and Content Information

This group of personal papers and correspondence of the former Engineering Librarian at the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science consists of 225 items in the period 1953-1976. The correspondence covers Bristol's career at the University, his involvement in the modernization of library systems, library mechanization, and his work on the Supplement to Charles Evans' American Bibliography and the reprint of its Index. The material in the topical series is chiefly concerned with the Supplement, and includes Bristol's working copy, and book reviews and other related printed material.

Correspondence with Jack Preston Dalton and John Cook Wyllie of Alderman Library details how Bristol first came to the University for an interview and eventually accepted the position as Head of the Preparations Division in 1954. There is also correspondence from Bristol's tenure as Engineering Librarian. During 1966-1973, Bristol orresponded with the American Antiquarian Society and the Bibliographical Society of America concerning the publication of his Supplement to Charles Evans'American Bibliography. Correspondence with Walker Cowen, Frederick R. Goff, John B. Hench, Marcus A. McCorison, Linton R. Massey, and James E. Mooney refers to negotiations and compromises made between the author, publisher, and printer.

Roger P. Bristol was born on July 15, 1903, in Ascutney, Vermont. He received his B.A. (1923) and M.A. (1926) degrees in English at Boston University; and later received his M.L.S. (1949) from Simmons College. Prior to accepting the position of Head of the Preparations Division at Alderman Library in 1954, he served at Peabody Institute, and was the head cataloger at the Boston Public Library from 1947-1949. Bristol was responsible for many library systems improvements, especially in the addition of modern equipment. He researched the use of a closed-circuit television system in a decentralized library situation. He wrote numerous books, essays, and monographs on early American imprints as well as the vast Supplement to Charles Evans' American Bibliography. During his last ten years at the University, he served as Engineering Librarian in the School of Engineering where he directed a program which resulted in a significant expansion of facilities and services.