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     MANUSCRIPTS and ARCHIVAL MATERIAL

The Papers of Robert T. Barton, Jr. re: Law Alumni Association [1958-1980]

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-85-11

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of correspondence between Mr. Barton and University of Virginia officials, Law School Foundation administrators, and fellow classmates of the Law Class of 1914. The core of the collection relates to fundraising issues of the Annual Giving Program of the Law Alumni Foundation, 1958-1980.

Barton was a supportive alumni interested in the public image of UVA, the Law School, and the track team. Of particular interest are some letters that Mr. Barton wrote to Edgar P. Shannon, president of the University, regarding the University’s position on the Vietnam War (November 1969) and the student protests. There is also some correspondence regarding curriculum, a residence advisor, and other interesting issues related to UVA.

Dates

  • Creation: 1958-1980

Biographical / Historical

Robert T. Barton (Class of 1914) was born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1891 and received his education at the Shenandoah Valley Academy and the University of Virginia, which awarded him the degrees of B. S. and L. L. B. in 1914. He served as a lieutenant in the Infantry in the Mexican border campaign of 1916 – 1917 and as a captain in the Field Artillery in 1918 – 1919, participating in the battles of St. Mithiel and the Meuse Argonne. In World War II, he saw eighteen months’ service overseas with the Army Air Corps as a colonel.

Mr. Barton took an active part in Virginia politics, having been a member of the Virginia General Assembly in 1926, and serving on the staffs of three governors of Virginia. He was a member of the Democratic State Convention every year, beginning in 1920, and he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936.

Among his services to the work of the organized Bar, Mr. Barton was a member from Virginia to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws beginning in 1934, and chairman of its executive committee in 1942 – 1943. He also served as vice president and chairman of the executive committee of the Virginia State Bar Association.

Extent

.3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Small collection of correspondence (1958-1980) between Barton and University of Virginia President Edgar F. Shannon Jr., other UVA officials and the Law Alumni Association.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was transferred from the Manuscripts Department of Alderman Library to the Law School Archives in June of 1985. Originally, the collection was given to Alderman Library by Mrs. Charles Sheerin, the daughter of Robert T. Barton.

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Arthur J. Morris Law Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Arthur J. Morris Law Library
580 Massie Road
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22903 United States