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The Reaumur Coleman Stearnes Papers consist chiefly of correspondence, bound volumes, financial and legal papers, reports, newspaper clippings, printed materials, photographs and memorabilia. The papers pertain to Stearnes' life and his career in public education and especially relate to his service as secretary of the Virginia State Board of Education, 1906-1913, as Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1913- 1918, and in various capacities for the War Camp Community Service, 1918-1922. Topics of interest in the correspondence pertaining to education include: textbook adoption, certification of teachers, courses of study, and his bid for re-election as Superintendent of Public Instructions. Other topics for which there is material include citizen efforts to run recreational activities in Georgia during World War I, local political campaigns, and family and personal matters, particularly his teaching, and futher education at New York University.