Albert Frederick Wilson to his mother, Mary A. Wilson, 1905, 4 folders , 1905

Wilson became a member of the Editorial Review Board (January 1-2, 1905). There are a lot of references in 1905 to a songbook A. Frederick had been trying to write and sell to groups or at events around grounds and he received the support of Dr. Kent for publishing the songbook (January 27, February 26, and November 3, 5, and 8, 1905).

Wilson mentions correcting the proof of his essay for publication and reading one of his poems before Dr. Kent, who liked the poem (April 7, 1905). Wilson accompanied the Glee Club on the train to Crozet to perform at the Miller School, a large preparatory school in the Blue Ridge Mountains (January 21, 1905).

Eventually A. Frederick Wilson became known as a writer in the University of Virginia community. Wilson appeared twice in the “Corks and Curls,” the annual yearbook at the University of Virginia which began in 1888. This yearbook published different student creative works, including poems, short stories and cartoons (May 16, 1905). He was also heavily involved with the editing staff of the “University of Virginia Magazine,” as an Associate Editor.

He mentions that the Editor in Chief, William McCulley James, went missing temporarily from the University and he had to locate the proof of the magazine, correct it and send it back to the publishers in two days (May 23, 1905). James continued as Editor in Chief through the spring of 1906. A. Frederick Wilson became the Editor in Chief the fall of 1906. Wilson had high hopes of receiving one of the medals for his literary work, which he apparently did (June 10, 15, 1905).

A. Frederick was also involved with the Glee club in 1905. He described the preparation and surrounding events for the inauguration of President Alderman, which included a procession of students, alumni, visiting professors and university presidents, the Alderman family, and then the Governor and Alderman. Wilson mentions that he marched with the Glee Club in this procession (April 17, 1905).

A. Frederick’s letters also mention various roles that African Americans filled on grounds during the early twentieth century and his own involvement with them this year. Some of these letters use offensive and racist language. Wilson mentions that an African American man delivered a surprise Valentine box from his folks (February 17, 1905). Wilson also searched for the music used in a popular but demeaning minstrel song that was also used in several other songs in Virginia, which he wanted to include in his songbook (March 10, 1905). He also mentions hiring an African American man to press his new suit before the inauguration of Alderman. When he did not return it to him by the morning of the inauguration, Wilson tracked him down in a panic and found him inebriated on a side street. After Wilson threatened physical violence, the older man finally located the clothes in a pool room unharmed (April 17, 1905).