A Guide to the Virginia Attorney General's correspondence and letter books, 1898-1920

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Virginia Attorney General's correspondence and letter books, 1898-1920. Accession 44018, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Creator:
Virginia. Office of the Attorney General
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Virginia Attorney General's correspondence and letter books, 1898-1920. Accession 44018, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains incoming correspondence files and outgoing letter books from the administrations of Attorneys General Andrew J. Montague, William A. Anderson, and Samuel W. Williams.

Biographical / historical:

The Office of the Attorney General originated in medieval England. While representing the king in his courts, the Attorney General gradually assumed the role of legal advisor to the government and all its agencies. In Virginia, the first Attorney General was commissioned in 1643. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 ended the Attorney General's connection with royal authority, but the state constitution adopted that year continued the office under the auspices of the General Assembly. The constitution adopted in 1851 provided for the popular election of the Attorney General, rendering him independent of all three branches of government. The Attorney General is elected to a four-year term in office and is eligible for reelection.

Acquisition information:
Original transfer information is unavailable. This collection was retroactively accessioned.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into two series:

  • Series I. Correspondence files, 1898-1920
  • Series II. Letter books, 1898-1910
Physical description:
8.25 cu. ft. (24 boxes) and 16 volumes