Inventory of the W. H. Pegram Papers,
1876 - 1928
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Descriptive Summary
Title
W. H. Pegram Papers,
1876 - 1928.
Creator
Pegram, W. H. (William Howell), 1846-1928.
Extent
1.75 Linear Feet,
1700 Items
Repository
University Archives, Duke University
Abstract
William Howell Pegram (1846-1928) was a
student, professor, and administrator at Trinity College (N.C.). He moved with the school from
Randolph County to Durham County (N.C.), and remained active as Trinity College evolved into Duke
University. The W.H. Pegram Papers include correspondence, notebooks, writings, clippings, and
other material. His relationship with Braxton Craven, both professionally and personally, is
detailed. Among the subjects in the collection are Pegram's main academic interest, chemistry, and
the administration of Trinity College in both Randolph and Durham counties.
Language
English.
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Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing
from the office of origin and the University Archivist is required for use. After twenty-five
years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the University
Archivist.
In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke
University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of
personally identifiable information from education records.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other
copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated
by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], W. H. Pegram Papers, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The W. H. Pegram Papers were received by the University Archives as a transfer in
1978.
Processing Information
Processed by Valerie Gillispie
Completed July 8, 2004
Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, July 8, 2004
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note
William Howell Pegram was born August 18, 1846, in Harnett County, North Carolina. He
served as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. Following the war, he returned to his
parents' farm and taught in the small schools of Harnett County. In 1869, he began college at
Trinity College in Randolph County. He was regarded as an excellent student and worked closely with
Braxton Craven, the president of Trinity College.
Pegram graduated in 1873, and beginning that fall, he began working as a tutor of Natural
Science at Trinity. He became a full professor the following year. He would eventually serve as a
professor of chemistry, astronomy, geology, and even English during his career, although chemistry
was his passion. When Craven died in 1882, Pegram became chairman of the faculty, and from 1883 to
1910, he served as Secretary of the faculty. He was honored with an L.L.D. degree from Trinity in
1917, and made Professor Emeritus of Chemistry in 1919. He remained active with the school and the
Department of Chemistry until his death, always staying interested in the students and faculty of
his school. Pegram was one of very few faculty members to work with the school in all its phases,
from its beginnings in Randolph County, to its move to Durham County, to its growth and change into
Duke University in 1924. He was known as "The Grand Old Man of Duke University" by many of his
students.
In 1875, Pegram married Braxton Craven's daughtor, Emma L. Craven. They had five children,
all of whom attended Trinity: Annie M. Pegram, George B. Pegram, Irene C. Pegram, J. Edward Pegram,
and William H. Pegram, Jr. William H. Pegram, Sr. passed away on April 30, 1928, ending a 55-year
career with Duke University and Trinity College. He is buried at "Old Trinity," in Randolph County,
near the grave of Braxton Craven.
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Collection Overview
The W. H. Pegram Collection includes correspondence, notebooks, writings, clippings, and
other material related to Pegram's career at Trinity College and later Duke University. The first
series, Personal, is a brief series containing clippings and other material regarding Pegram's
career and his death in 1928. The second series Correspondence, contains letters to and from
Pegram, mainly regarding administrative issues at Trinity College. There are also some letters of
thanks from former students. This series is arranged chronologically. The third series is
Notebooks, and contains notebooks used by Pegram for a variety of purposes: to record the
attendance and grades of his students, to prepare Sunday school lessons, to work on chemistry
problems, and to write essays. The notebooks are arranged by title or subject, when available, then
date. The fourth series, Writings, contains several essays prepared by Pegram, as well as shorter
pieces. This series is also organized by title, when available, and then date. The last series,
Trinity College, contains a variety of materials related to the history of the school. These
materials are not all directly related to Pegram, but they provide a historical context for his
other materials. It contains clippings, articles, financial papers, and print materials about the
school. These papers are organized alphabetically.
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Subject Headings
These and related materials may be accessed under the following subject headings in the
Duke University Libraries online catalog.
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Craven, B. (Braxton), 1822-1882.
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Craven family.
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Pegram family.
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Pegram, W. H. (William Howell),
1846-1928.
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Duke University. Dept. of Chemistry.
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Trinity College (Durham, N.C.)
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Trinity College (Durham, N.C.)--Faculty.
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Trinity College (Durham, N.C.)--History.
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Trinity College (Randolph County, N.C.)
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Trinity College (Randolph County, N.C.)--Faculty.
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Trinity College (Randolph County, N.C.)--History.
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Notebooks.
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Related Material
Craven (Braxton) Papers, 1839-1882
Duke University Archives
Kilgo (John C.) Records and Papers, 1888-1970 (bulk 1894-1920)
Duke University Archives
Trinity College (Randolph County, N.C.) Collection, 1836-1990
Duke University Archives
Craven-Pegram Family Papers, 1785-1966
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
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Detailed Description of the Collection
Box 1
Personal,
1885-1928
Folder 1
Clippings - Career,
1885-1921, [undated]
Folder 2
Memorial,
1928
Correspondence,
1882-1928
Folder 3
1882
Folder 4
1883
Folder 5
1884
Folder 6
1885-1889
Folder 7
1890-1893
Folder 8
1894-1899
Folder 9
1901-1903
Folder 10
1910-1916
Folder 11
1920
Folder 12
1923-1925
Folder 13
1926-1928
Notebooks,
1873-1916
Folder 14
"The Advancement of Chemistry in the Schools of North Carolina,"
[undated]
Folder 15-16
"Early History of Trinity College," [undated]
Folder 17
"Education and Religion," [undated]
Folder 18
Electrochemistry Report,
circa 1906
Folder 19
Examination and Grade Book,
circa 1899-1905
Box 2
Folder 20
Grade Book,
September 1916
Folder 21
Grade Book and Other Notes, [undated]
Folder 22
Grade Book and Roll of Classes,
1873-1883
Folder 23
"How to Prepare and Teach the Sunday School Lesson," [undated]
Folder 24
Notes on Chemistry and Grade Book, [undated]
Folder 25
"Radio Activity": Faculty Lecture,
circa 1905
Folder 26
Religious Writings, [undated, includes loose papers]
Folder 27
"Sketches and Skeletons and Sermons," [undated]
Folder 28
"The Study of Nature," [undated]
Folder 29
1882-1883
Folder 30
Circa 1891
Folder 31
1901
Box 3
Folder 32-37
[Undated]
Writings,
1884-1927
Folder 38
"The Development of the Department of Physics at Duke University,"
[undated]
Folder 39
Frank C. Robbins,
1927
Folder 40
"A Sketch of Randolph County,"
1884
Folder 41
W. F. Gill,
1917
Folder 42
"Who Founded Trinity College?"
August 1926
Folder 43-44
[Undated]
Trinity College,
1876-1926
Folder 45
Article Transcripts,
1926, [undated]
Folder 46
Braxton Craven Medal Rules, [undated]
Folder 47
By-Laws, Trinity College Alumnae Association, [undated]
Folder 48
Clippings,
1886-1916, [undated]
Folder 49
Clippings - Braxton Craven,
1882-1899
Folder 50
Dept. of Chemistry Course Descriptions,
June 1910
Folder 51
Financial Papers,
1876-1915
Folder 52
Inn Plot drawn by W. H. Pegram, Jr.,
March 2, 1906
Box 4
Folder 53
Minutes of the Board of Trustees,
December 8-13, 1882
Printed Material
Folder 54
1884-1894
Folder 55
1895-1906
Folder 56
1907-1910
Folder 57
1911-1919
Folder 58
1920-1924, [undated]
Folder 59
Reunion - Class of 1873,
1923
Folder 60
Reunion - Class of 1873,
1928
