William Wheeler Thornton collection
Collection
Identifier: L159
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of correspondence, essays, speeches, clipings, and book manuscripts from William Wheeler Thornton in Indiana ranging from 1877 to 1931, circa 2005, and undated, regarding his writings, politics, United States and Indiana law and history, and Judge Isaac Blackford. The first manuscript concerns political documents, beginning with the Magna Carta and ending with those of 19th-century America. There are research, writings, and manuscripts for Thronton's book, Isaac Blackford: The Indiana Blackstone (1931, undated) as well as a copy of the book, edited by Douglas Fivecoat and published as part of the Indiana Supreme Court Legal History Series (circa 2005). One of the essay's concerns French General Michel Ney in the United States.
Dates
- 1877-1931, circa 2005
Creator
- Thornton, William Wheeler, 1851-1932 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
William Wheeler Thornton was born on June 27, 1851 near Logansport, Indiana. His parents were John A. and Ellen (Thomas) Thornton. He grew up on a farm in Cass County, Indiana, where he attended the local schools and Smithson College, a Universalist educational institution. Thornton studied law at the law firm of his uncle, Henry C. Thornton, before attending the University of Michigan where he received an LL.B. degree in 1876. He then returned to Logansport where he practiced law until 1880. In January 1882, he married Mary F. Grove, who died on July 22, 1905. Thornton married again nearly six years later on June 20, 1911. His second wife was Irene Blackledge.
Thornton was appointed Indiana deputy attorney general by Daniel P. Baldwin in 1880 and served a two-year term. He resumed his private law practice in Crawfordsville, Indiana (1883-1889) and then Indianapolis (1893-1914). While in Crawfordsville, Thornton also served as city attorney for two years. On September 1, 1889, Thornton was appointed librarian of the Indiana Supreme Court. He left private practice when he became judge of the Marion County Superior Court in 1914, a post he maintained until 1932. Thornton was also the author of numerous books and articles on the law and was considered one of the most prolific and authoritative writers on the subject. He died on January 21, 1932.
Source:
Thompson, Donald E., comp. Indiana Authors and Their Books, 1917-1966. Crawfordsville, IN: Wabash College, 1974.
Thornton was appointed Indiana deputy attorney general by Daniel P. Baldwin in 1880 and served a two-year term. He resumed his private law practice in Crawfordsville, Indiana (1883-1889) and then Indianapolis (1893-1914). While in Crawfordsville, Thornton also served as city attorney for two years. On September 1, 1889, Thornton was appointed librarian of the Indiana Supreme Court. He left private practice when he became judge of the Marion County Superior Court in 1914, a post he maintained until 1932. Thornton was also the author of numerous books and articles on the law and was considered one of the most prolific and authoritative writers on the subject. He died on January 21, 1932.
Source:
Thompson, Donald E., comp. Indiana Authors and Their Books, 1917-1966. Crawfordsville, IN: Wabash College, 1974.
Extent
1 Cubic Feet (3 manuscript boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1: General papers and manuscript, 1877-1903, undated
Series 2: Manuscripts and papers on Isaac Blackford, 1931-circa 2005, undated
Series 1: General papers and manuscript, 1877-1903, undated
Series 2: Manuscripts and papers on Isaac Blackford, 1931-circa 2005, undated
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Mrs. William Wheeler Thornton on 1938/06/03 and Randall T. Shepard on 2006/08/10.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2005/11 by Christina Baich. EAD finding aid created 2005/11 by Christina Baich. EAD finding aid revised 2015/10/30 by Bethany Fiechter; 2017/04/27 by Laura Eliason. Collection reprocessing completed 2024/06/27 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid revised 2024/06/27 by Brittany Kropf.
- Authors -- Indiana
- Blackford, Isaac Newton, 1786-1859
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Essays
- Indiana -- Politics and government
- Indiana -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Indiana. Supreme Court
- Judges
- Judges -- Indiana
- Lawyers -- Indiana
- Manuscripts
- Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815
- Northwest Territory
- Politics and government
- Speeches, addresses, etc.
- Writing
Creator
- Thornton, William Wheeler, 1851-1932 (Person)
- Title
- William Wheeler Thornton collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
