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
- Sievers, Harry (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
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>.
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.
Creator
- Sievers, Harry (Person)
- 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
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
