William Couper papers, 1901/1964

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives.Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

William Couper papers, 1901-1946. MS 0053. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
18 cubic feet 36 manuscript boxes. In addition, large items are stored in oversized cases.
Creator:
Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William Couper papers, 1901-1946. MS 0053. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The William Couper papers document a portion of the life and career of Couper, a man notable for his research and publications about the history of VMI, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia history and genealogy, Stonewall Jackson, and Claudius Crozet.

A significant portion of the papers consist of publication manuscripts, notes, and other material related to Couper's major historical research projects (many of which were published). These include the following:

  • "One Hundred Years at VMI," a four volume comprehensive history of the Institute from it's founding in 1839 through 1939
  • "The VMI New Market Cadets," which contains biographical information about the VMI cadets and staff who fought in the Civil War battle on May 15, 1864
  • "Claudius Crozet," a biography of the notable 19th century Virginia Civil Engineer
  • "A History of the Shenandoah Valley," Virginia
  • "Stonewall Jackson Day by Day," which contains chronological account including events, anecdotes, clippings, transcribed correspondence, notes, and maps
Couper's passion for the history of Lexington and Rockbridge County is evident in the substantial amount of local history research material found in his papers. Included are notes on a wide range of local history topics, as well as extensive research material (notes and maps) concerning the history of many local properties and the Lexington cemetery.

The papers also include material concerning the construction of Fort Jackson (South Carolina), Couper's speeches and addresses, maps, scrapbooks, photograph albums, and correspondence.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1884
Born November 16 at "Oakland" in Norfolk, Virginia.
1901
Graduated from the Norfolk Academy and entered the 3rd at VMI.
1904
Graduated from VMI with distinction (engineering course).
1906
Received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering (railroad option) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
1906-1917
Worked with the Pennsylvania Railroad in New York City on construction, operating, and harbor work. He played a major role in the construction of the railroad tunnels and terminals for New York City.
1912
Published "History of the Engineering, Construction and Equipment of the Pennsylvania Railroad New York Tunnels and Terminals."
1917 June
Commissioned as a Major in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps and was assigned as a Construction Officer at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.
1918 March
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was in charge of building of the camp that became Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
1920
Completed Army service in March, and then prepared a plan of development for the future of VMI, which was adopted by the VMI Board of Visitors in June.
1920-1921
Served as the Assistant General Manager of the Associated General Contractors of America
1921-1924
Employed jointly by the Texas Company and the Southern Acid and Sulphur Company as an engineer to develop sulfur properties in Brazoria County, Texas.
1924
Appointed Business Executive in charge of the business activities at the Veterans' Bureau Station at Perry Point, Maryland.
1925
Appointed Business Executive at VMI.
1931-1933
Served as Secretary and Treasurer of the VMI Alumni Association.
1933
Published the book "The VMI New Market Cadets."
1934
Appointed VMI Historiographer.
1934-1935
Served as the President of the Association of Military Colleges and Universities in the United States.
1934-1945
Served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Southern Conference (Athletics).
1936
Published the book "Claudius Crozet."
1939
Published the book "One Hundred Years at VMI" and "The Register of Former Cadets."
1946-1948
Served as Vice President and President of the Southern Conference.
1952
Published the book "A History of the Shenandoah Valley."
1954
Retired from positions at VMI.
1964
Died February 15 at his home in Lexington, Virginia. He is buried in Norfolk, Virginia.

William Couper (1884-1964) spent the majority of his professional life devoted to VMI and to the study of VMI, Lexington and Rockbridge County, and Virginia history. His terms as VMI's Business Executive and Historiographer encompassed thirty years, but before, during and subsequent to that period, he served in many other official and unofficial capacities. He was a noted authority on local and regional history, and on the life and times of Stonewall Jackson. In addition to his official duties at VMI, he was responsible for the initial organization and preservation of the Institute's rich historical holdings, including it's unique collection of alumni biographical and genealogical materials.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks; Oversized Case 9; Oversized stacks range (manuscripts)