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Benjamin Harrison collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S1178

Scope and Contents

The collection contains three scrapbooks of clippings compiled by Harrison’s son, Russell. The clippings document the death of Benjamin Harrison. A fourth scrapbook contains clippings regarding Harrison’s Southern Tour of the United States in the Spring of 1891. There are items related to various memorials to Benjamin Harrison following his death as well as a short biographical pamphlet and information on a full-length biography written by Harry Sievers in the 1950s.

Dates

  • 1891-1953

Creator

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

Benjamin Harrison was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio. His father, John Scott Harrison, was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and his grandfather was William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States. Benjamin Harrison was raised in Ohio and attended Miami University of Ohio. After graduating in 1852, Harrison studied law for two years at a Cincinnati law firm. In 1853, he married Caroline Scott with whom he had two children, Russell and Mary. After a year of marriage, the Harrisons moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Benjamin Harrison established a law firm. In 1855, he joined the practice of William Wallace (father of Lew Wallace). He was elected Indianapolis City Attorney in 1857. He also served as reporter for the Indiana Supreme Court. In 1862, Oliver P. Morton asked Harrison to recruit men for the 70th Indiana Volunteers. Harrison served throughout the Civil War and reached the rank of Brigadier General. Harrison was narrowly defeated in the 1876 gubernatorial election by James Williams. In 1879, he was appointed a member of the Mississippi River Commission. He served three terms as a U.S. Senator (1881-1887). In 1888, he was elected President of the United States. Among his accomplishments were the first Pan American Congress and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Towards the end of his term, his wife Caroline died of tuberculosis. Harrison failed to win reelection in 1892, perhaps partially due to his distraction from the campaign when his wife died. After leaving office, he returned to Indianapolis and his law practice. In 1896, he married Caroline’s niece, Mary Lord Dimmick. He remained an active writer and lecturer until his death on March 13, 1901, of pneumonia.

Sources: American President: Benjamin Harrison. Miller Center of Public Affairs. 2 Mar. 2006. /www.americanpresident.org/history/benjaminharrison/biography/>. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. 2 Mar. 2006. /bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000263>. Harrison Family. President Benjamin Harrison Home. 2 Mar. 2006. /www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org/Harrison/beninfo.html>.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (5 folders, 4 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2006/03 by Christina Baich. Finding aid revised 2015/11/06 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid created 2018/05/29 by Lauren Patton.
Title
Benjamin Harrison collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671