MenuInventory of the William Johnston Cocke Papers, 1682-1977, bulk 1900-1960
Abstract
Rhodes scholar and lawyer of Asheville, N.C.
Collection is divided into the following categories: Correspondence (1815-1969, some transcribed); Writings (1682-1965); Speeches (1896-1965); Miscellany (ca. 1908); Clippings (1792-1975); Printed materials (1865-1977); Volumes (1886-1954); Pictures, late 19th and early 20th centuries; and an Alphabetical file (1787-1977), arranged by topic. Most of the material spans the years 1900-1960. Included are personal correspondence and materials relating to Cocke's political and civic interests; family correspondence and photographs; clippings; and scrapbooks. Cocke's many correspondents include Sam Ervin, B. Everett Jordan, and Terry Sanford. Correspondence topics include the Democratic Party; life as an American law student in England; English law compared to American law; and travels in Europe. Some letters refer to Thomas Wolfe, whom Cocke knew.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Cocke, William Johnston, 1904-
- Title
- William Johnston Cocke Papers, 1682-1977, bulk 1900-1960
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 6.4 Linear Feet, 2121 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Series Quick Links
- Correspondence Series, 1815-1969 and undated
- Writings Series, 1682-1965 and undated
- Speeches Series, 1896-1965 and undated
- Miscellany Series, circa 1908
- Clippings Series, 1792-1975 and undated
- Printed Material Series, 1865-1977 and undated
- Volumes Series, ca. 1886-1954
- Photographs Series, late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Alphabetical Files Series, 1785-1975 and undated
- Oversize Material, 1865-1890
Collection Overview
Collection reflects the varied interests of Cocke. It is divided into the following categories: correspondence (1815-1969, some transcribed); writings (1682-1965); speeches (1896-1965); miscellany (ca. 1908); clippings (1792-1975); printed materials (1865-1977); volumes (1886-1954); pictures, late 19th and early 20th centuries; and an alphabetical file (1787-1977), arranged by topic. The collection covers a wide variety of topics and time periods, but most of the material has dates in the span 1900-1960. Included are personal correspondence and materials relating to Cocke's political and civic interests. His many correspondents include Sam Ervin, B. Everett Jordan, and Terry Sanford. Correspondence topics include the Democratic Party; life as an American law student in England; English law compared to American law; travels in Europe; Thomas Wolfe, whom Cocke knew; publishing efforts; and a meeting with Lady Astor and the future King Edward VII. Other items include family letters; manuscripts by Cocke's mother, Nola, including My Reminiscences of the Sixties (1861-1865) about the Reconstruction era in Tenn.; clippings regarding a proposed N.C. constitution amendment requiring a literacy test for voter registrants in the 1860s; speeches by William Cocke, Sr., mayor of Asheville, N.C.; a guardian's account book later turned into a scrapbook; a large campaign scrapbook for Senate candidate Alton Asa Lennon; Cocke-Dilworth family photographs and many albumen prints of Europe. Topics in the alphabetical file include civic clubs; United World Federalists, Inc.; the attempt to establish the state of Franklin in what is now western N.C.; legal cases regarding horse stealing, a slave sale, and other topics; court reform in N.C. and the Bell Committee; and the Commission on International Cooperation under the N.C. Dept. of Conservation and Development.
Administrative Information
A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllWritings Series, 1682-1965 and undated
Miscellany Series, circa 1908
Volumes Series, ca. 1886-1954
Oversize Material, 1865-1890
Subject Headings
- Cocke, William Johnston, 1904-
- Lennon, Alton Asa.
- Jordan, B. Everett (Benjamin Everett).
- Sanford, Terry, 1917-1998.
- Ervin, Sam J. (Sam James), 1896-1985.
- Cocke family.
- Dilworth family.
- Democratic Party (U.S.)--History.
- Lawyers--North Carolina--Correspondence.
- Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--Tennessee.
- Tennessee--History.
- North Carolina--History.
- Asheville (N.C.)--History.
- North Carolina--Politics and government.
- United States--Politics and government--20th century.
- Photographs.
- Albumen prints.
- Scrapbooks.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], William Johnston Cocke Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Provenance
The William Johnston Cocke Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a part of the Flowers Collection in 1977.
Processing Information
Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff
Encoded by Ted Holt, November 2009
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.