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Joseph Williamson papers

 Collection
Identifier: M188

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  • Please use the Collection Organization section below to place requests.

Scope and Content

Correspondence to and from Williamson, with the bulk consisting of letters from Williamson to George T. Little, Bowdoin College professor and librarian; newspaper clippings about Williamson; a list of launches in the ports of Belfast and Bangor; drafts and corrected versions of Williamson's books; and material related to Bowdoin College, including a diary kept while Williamson was a student.

Dates

  • Creation: 1818-1902
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1828 - 1902

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

Joseph Williamson, a lawyer, historian, and bibliographer, was born in Belfast, Maine, on October 5, 1820, to Joseph and Caroline Cross Williamson. After being graduated from Bowdoin College in 1849, Williamson was admitted to the Maine bar in 1852 and returned to Belfast, where he maintained an active legal career. In 1853 Williamson was appointed a judge of the municipal court of Belfast, a postion he held until 1860. In addition to his legal practice, Williamson also conducted historical and bibliographic research and authored several books, including A Bibliography of the State of Maine and A History of Belfast, Maine, to 1825. Joseph Williamson died in Belfast on December 4, 1902, survived by three children.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, with the bulk consisting of letters from Williamson to George T. Little, Bowdoin College professor and librarian; newspaper clippings about Williamson; a list of launches in the ports of Belfast and Bangor; drafts and corrected versions of Williamson's books; and material related to Bowdoin College, including a diary kept while Williamson was a student.

Related Materials

Two volumes of scrapbooks containing clippings about Bowdoin Commencements compiled by Joseph Williamson are available in the Bowdoin Archives.

A volume of letters written by Joseph Williamson and other family members now held by the Belfast Free Library, Belfast, Me. is also available.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Joseph Williamson Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.