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Inventory of the George W. Gillette Papers, 1940-1971

Abstract

Native of Onslow Co., N.C.; officer in the Army Corps of Engineers; executive directory of the N.C. State Ports Authority. As a consultant, Gillette was associated with projects worldwide through the World Bank, the United Nations, and private agencies.

Chiefly papers and letters concerning the later period of Gillette's life. An extensive correspondent, Gillette expounded his personal beliefs and philosophy with a wide circle of friends and associates, including prominent civic and military figures such as General Raymond Wheeler, Senators B. Everett Jordan and Sam Ervin, Congressman Alton Lennon, and Governors Linwood Holton and Terry Sanford.

Descriptive Summary

Repository
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator
Gillette, George W.
Title
George W. Gillette Papers, 1940-1971
Language of Material
English
Extent
2.8 Linear Feet, 1,972 Items
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Collection Overview

Chiefly papers and letters concerning the later period of Gillette's life. An extensive correspondent, Gillette expounded his personal beliefs and philosophy with a wide circle of friends and associates, including prominent civic and military figures such as General Raymond Wheeler, Senators B. Everett Jordan and Sam Ervin, Congressman Alton Lennon, and Governors Linwood Holton and Terry Sanford. Also represented are many figures of local political importance - those from southeastern North Carolina especially.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

warning 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.

warning 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

Topics included in collection include: United Nations in the Congo, Boys Club of Wilmington, the Brunswick Maritime Commission, the B. Everett Jordan Campaign for Senator of 1966, the Muskegan Project, a Honduras Enginerring Project, and biographical sketches of United Nations personnel.

Papers, A-B, 1950-1971
Box 1
Papers, B-E, 1954-1969
Box 2
Papers, F-J, 1952-1969
Box 3
Papers, J-M, 1961-1963
Box 4
Papers, M-P, 1940-1970
Box 5
Papers, P-T, 1941-1971
Box 6
Papers, U-W, 1954-1968
Box 7

Historical Note

George W. Gillette was born at Marines, in Onslow Co., N.C., in 1888, the only son of William Issac Gillette and Rena Winbury Gillette. He attended North Carolina State College and later the Army Engineer School. His military career began in 1916 and lasted until his retirement in 1948. As an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, Gillette helped organize the Engineer Training Center at Fort Belvoir, Va., commanded the Engineer Training center at Fort Lewis, Washington, and served as Division Engineer both of the New England and South Atlantic Divisions. He was District Engineer in Wilmington in 1945. Subsequently, he brought his engineering expertise and knowledge of waterways construction (as well as his personal connections) to the consulting field. He was associated (through connections) to the consulting field. He was associated (through the World Bank, United Nations, and private agencies) with projects in Latin America, Africa, and South East Asia.

In 1939, Colonel George W. Gillette of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveyed and mapped the area from Fort Monroe, Virginia to Fort Sumter, South Carolina, which included the Onslow County coastline and the New River. The map is believed to have fostered the interest of the War and Navy Departments in establishing an amphibious training base in the area.

Subject Headings

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], George W. Gillette Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The George W. Gillette Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 1978.

Processing Information

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff, 1978

Encoded by Carrie Mills and Meghan Lyon, May 2011

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 6-8-78

This collection is minimally processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.