Richard L. Dawson Papers, 1857-1921.
(Kit)

This collection contains the papers of Richard Lew Dawson, including: drafts of his larger poetry and essay collections; original handwritten stories, poems and music; editorials and newspaper columns written by Dawson; and advertisements and programs from his speaking engagements. Also included in the collection is a series of newspaper articles regarding the history of the modern calendar, together with Dawson's own homemade perpetual calendar. The correspondence includes letters from T.E. Dawson, Richard Lew Dawson's grandfather, to his parents during the Civil War. The bulk of the letters are to Dawson from correspondents such as J.W. Carr, Henry M. Buttes, Mary Rodifer Wilson, Barton Evermann, John D. Shelley and W. W. Grant. The Dawson family records include the grammar school attendance records for Lovinia Dawson; Methodist Episcopal Church quarterly tickets for Riley and Catherine Dawson, an obituary for T.E. Dawson and a handwritten copy of U.S. Grant's first field order during the Civil War.

Richard Lew Dawson Collection, Manuscript Section, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library.

Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library. Manuscript materials cannot be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.

Kitty Wirich,1934, 1937, 1946.

Richard Lew Dawson was born the son of Riley and Catherine Dawson on January 20, 1852 in Franklin County, Indiana. Dawson was a writer of humorous sketches and poetry and often gave his characters Hoosier dialects. His works appeared in popular newspaper and magazines, such as the Chicago Current, Saturday Herald, the Indianapolis Journal, the Sentinel, and Century Magazine. He was one of the founding members of the Western Association of Writers, formed in 1866. Dawson died April 23, 1921.