Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Thorns Craven collection
Craven, Thorns
WLU.RG.62.0077
/repositories/5/resources/1319
2.71 Linear Feet
1957-1962, 1987, 2011-2012
English
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Thorns Craven in February 2026
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Thorns Craven Collection (RG 62.0077), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
Biographical Note
Frederick Thorns Craven, Jr. was born on October 15, 1940 in Concord, North Carolina. While a student at Washington and Lee University, he wrote for the Ring-tum Phi and was member of Sigma Nu fraternity, the Mongolian Minks, the White Friars, the Liberty Hall Society, and the Graham-Lee Society. Craven graduated in 1962.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains letters written by Washington and Lee student Thorns Craven to his family, letters he received while at school from family and friends, as well as other materials associated with his time at Washington and Lee as a student and as an alumnus. Subjects include fraternity rushing, Sigma Nu fraternity, student life, and social activities.
College fraternity members
College Students -- Social life and customs
Washington and Lee University--Alumni and alumnae
Washington and Lee University--Students
Sigma Nu Fraternity. Lambda Chapter (Washington and Lee University )
Letters written by Thorns Craven/repositories/5/archival_objects/36008Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360101958 September11Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360111958 October-December12Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360121959 January- March13Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360131959 April-May14Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360141959 September-December15Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360151960 January-May16Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360161960 September-December17Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360171961 January-May18Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360181961 September-December19Letters Home/repositories/5/archival_objects/360191962 January-May, undated110Letter from Thorns Craven to David Ernest/repositories/5/archival_objects/360201962 July 4111Letter from Thorns Craven to Mr. W. Randolph Carter/repositories/5/archival_objects/360721961 November 7112Letters written to Thorns Craven/repositories/5/archival_objects/36009Letters from Martha K. Craven (Mother)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360241958 September-October113Letters from Martha K. Craven (Mother)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360251958 November114Letters from Martha K. Craven (Mother)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360261959 January-March115Letters from Martha K. Craven (Mother)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360271959 April-May, 1960 October 14116Letters from Fred T. Craven (Father)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360211958 September 22, October 821Letters from Edith Craven (Sister)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360221958 September-October. 1959 January 14, March22Additional InformationThe January 14, 1959 letter also included a letter to Thorns from his brother Allen.
Letter from Lineta Craven (Sister)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360231958 November 1523Birthday cards from family/repositories/5/archival_objects/360281958 October24Letters from Jock Harnes/repositories/5/archival_objects/360411957 September, November-December, 1958 May 1025Letters from Belle/repositories/5/archival_objects/360421958 October26Letters from Martha/repositories/5/archival_objects/360431958 September-October, 1959 March-May27Letters from Annie Joe/repositories/5/archival_objects/360441958 December, 1959 January28Letters from Annie Joe/repositories/5/archival_objects/360451959 February-April29Letters from Annie Joe/repositories/5/archival_objects/360461959 April, undated210Letters from Lyl Chalfont/repositories/5/archival_objects/360471959 March-April211Letters from Frank J. Gilliam/repositories/5/archival_objects/360481958 June 14, 19, August 21, 1961 November 8212Letters from Various Individuals/repositories/5/archival_objects/360491958 January, August, 1959 February213Letters from Various Individuals/repositories/5/archival_objects/360501959 March-May, 1960 December, 1962214Washington and Lee University/repositories/5/archival_objects/36037Letters to Parents from WLU/repositories/5/archival_objects/360511958 August 25, [1958 September]215Photographs/repositories/5/archival_objects/360521962 February, circa 2012, undated216Additional InformationFancy Dress
Sigma Nu Lambda Chapter/repositories/5/archival_objects/360531959, 1960-1961, undated217"Cheers for the Generals of Washington and Lee"/repositories/5/archival_objects/36054circa 1959-1962218"Track-O-Gram" (WLU)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360551962219"Probes" literary publication (No. 1)/repositories/5/archival_objects/360561961 May220WLU Finals Week program/repositories/5/archival_objects/360571962221Postcards: Lexington and Washington and Lee University/repositories/5/archival_objects/36058circa 1958-1962222Incident with J. G. C./repositories/5/archival_objects/360731962 March223WLU Publications and Invitations/repositories/5/archival_objects/360591958, 1962, undated31Additional InformationWashington and Lee newsletters, Lee Chapel brochure, commencement and baccalaureate programs, invitations, WLU booklet "The Freshman Year," WLU booklet "The Big-Little Date Book," "To Parents and Teachers" brochures, Parents' Weekend brochure, Art, Music, Drama Seminars in Literature booklet
Class of 1962 25th Reunion Yearbook/repositories/5/archival_objects/360601987 May32Class of 1962 50th Reunion Committee Member Guidebook/repositories/5/archival_objects/36061201133Class of 1962 50th Reunion/repositories/5/archival_objects/360622011-201234Class of 1962 Reunion Calyx/repositories/5/archival_objects/360632012 May35Reunion Badges/repositories/5/archival_objects/360642012, undated36Thorns Craven WLU Student Identification Card/repositories/5/archival_objects/36065circa 195837Diploma/repositories/5/archival_objects/360381962 June 8Manuscripts Oversize Box 18Chalk drawings/repositories/5/archival_objects/36039circa 1962Manuscripts Oversize Box 18Additional InformationOne chalk drawing of Thorns Craven titled "Thornication." One chalk drawing of Anne Gibbs of Hollins University and it titled "God-Squad Annie." They were made at the fraternity house.
Sigma Nu Lambda Chapter composite photographs/repositories/5/archival_objects/360401959-1962Manuscripts Oversize Box 18