Series 3: Incoming Correspondence, 1873-1940
Scope and Contents note
Contains letters mainly to Graham Taylor from friends, parishioners, social workers, committee members, unions, editors, officials, politicians, and other associates. Some prominent correspondents include Jane Addams, Edward Price Bell, Charles R. Crane, Clarence Darrow, Charles H. Dennis, Samuel J. Duncan-Clark, Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, Henry Ford, John Palmer Gavit, William Rainey Harper, Julia C. Lathrop, Victor F. Lawson, members of the McCormick family (mostly Katharine D. [Mrs. Stanley] McCormick), Frank McCulloch, John McCutcheon, Ben Reitman, Raymond and Margaret Robins, Edward L. Ryerson, and associates from the Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago Commons, the Survey, and the University of Chicago. Some correspondence reflects Taylor's activities at his previous parishes in Hopewell, New York (1873-1880) and Hartford, Connecticut (1880-1892). Much of the correspondence concerns the daily workings and fundraising of the Chicago Commons as well as Taylor's many social reform projects. A number of letters are from prisoners seeking consolation or intervention from Taylor. Other letters, particularly those from Sophonisba P. Breckenridge, address the incorporation of the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy into the University of Chicago against Taylor's wishes. Also included are letters of condolence from friends and associates upon the death of Taylor's first wife, Leah Demarest Taylor, 1918.
See also correspondence in Series 7 (Chicago Commons), Series 8 (Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy), and Series 9 (Chicago Theological Seminary).
For more correspondence with Raymond Robins, see the Raymond Robins Papers at the Wisconsin State Historical Society Archives.
Dates
- Creation: 1873-1940
Creator
- From the Collection: Taylor, Graham, 1851-1938 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The Graham Taylor papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Arrangement note
Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent with the folder of letters of condolence for Mrs. Graham Taylor at the end.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org