Benjamin Bowering papersMS.0122.OversizedVirginia Military Institute Archives

VMI ArchivesPreston LibraryLexington, VA 24450Business Number: 540-464-7516archives@vmi.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-05 03:00:37 -0400.Description is written in: Undetermined, Code for undetermined script script. Virginia Military Institute Archives Benjamin Bowering papers Bowering, Benjamin, 1894-1952 MS.0122.Oversized /repositories/3/resources/202 2 items 1916-1935 Oversized Case 2 English Contents Note

The Benjamin Bowering papers consist of the original manuscript score of "The VMI Spirit" (the official song of VMI), written by Benjamin Bowering while he was as Assistant Professor at VMI in 1916. The manuscript is 10.5 inches x 12.5 inches, with composition in pencil and annotations by the composer. The collection also includes one typescript letter (dated March 16, 1935) from Bowering to VMI's Librarian Nellie T. Gibbs, in which he explains the history of the song.

 Biographical / Historical

Benjamin Bowering (1894-1952) was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia and graduated VMI in 1915. He was an Assistant Professor at VMI from 1916 to 1917, and the author of the official VMI song "The VMI Spirit." Bowering was a United States Army officer from 1917 to 1944.

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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

Benjamin Bowering papers, 1916-1935. MS 0122. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

 Virginia Military Institute—Songs and music Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1915 Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1910-1919 Correspondence Gibbs, Nellie Tracy, 1868-1948 "The VMI Spirit" score/repositories/3/archival_objects/50951916EnglishScope and Contents

Original manuscript score of "The VMI Spirit" (the official song of the Virginia Military Institute), written by Benjamin Bowering while he was as Assistant Professor at VMI in 1916. The manuscript is 10.5" x 12.5", with composition in pencil and annotations by the composer.

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1910-1919Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1915Virginia Military Institute—Songs and musicLetter to Nellie T. Gibbs/repositories/3/archival_objects/50961935 March 16EnglishScope and Contents

Written from New York City, New York. Letter regards the history of "The VMI Spirit" song.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1915CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Songs and musicGibbs, Nellie Tracy, 1868-1948