DACS

lesterrobert Inventory of the Robert M. Lester Papers, 1879-1969 Processed by: Rubenstein Library Staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Meghan Lyon David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 001767356

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: April 2011Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff, Unknown; finding aid encoded by Meghan Lyon, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, April 2011 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the Robert M. Lester Papers, 1879-1969 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Lester, Robert M. (Robert MacDonald), 1889-1969. Robert M. Lester Papers, 1879-1969 Material in English 3.0 Linear Feet 2329 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Teacher; foundation administrator and consultant. Correspondence, speeches, writings, clippings, and pictures, all related to the life and career of Robert Lester. Correspondence and clippings cover every facet of his career: teacher and superintendent of schools in Mayfield, Ky.; service in the Army in World War I, library, teaching, and administrative positions at Columbia University; his involvement with Duke University and with major fundraising organizations such as the Carnegie Corporation, and the Council of Southern Universities, where he was director of the Southern Fellowship Fund. One volume of memoranda from the Southern Fellowship Fund includes a 1966 proposal for faculty development among predominantly Afro-american colleges and universities. Lester's addresses and speeches chiefly concern education, philanthropy, and library issues. Collection also includes papers relating to other Lester family members, and to Lester's Chapel in Shelby County, Alabama. Administrative Information 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.

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Robert M. Lester Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The Robert M. Lester Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1971.

Processing Information

Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff, date unknown

Encoded by Meghan Lyon, April 2011

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.

Biographical Note

Robert MacDonald Lester (1889-1969) was an author, teacher and employee of the Carnegie Institute of New York. His published works include Forty Years of Carnegie Giving (1941). Lester was also the recording secretary of the Council of Southern Universities and executive director of the Southern Fellowships Fund.

Collection Overview

Correspondence, speeches, writings, clippings, and pictures, all related to the life and career of Robert Lester. Correspondence and clippings cover every facet of his career: teacher and superintendent of schools in Mayfield, Ky.; service in the Army in World War I, library, teaching, and administrative positions at Columbia University; his involvement with Duke University and with major fundraising organizations such as the Carnegie Corporation, and the Council of Southern Universities, where he was director of the Southern Fellowship Fund. One volume of memoranda from the Southern Fellowship Fund includes a 1966 proposal for faculty development among predominantly African American colleges and universities. Lester's addresses and speeches chiefly concern education, philanthropy, and library issues. Collection also includes papers relating to other Lester family members, and to Lester's Chapel in Shelby County, Alabama.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Lester, Robert M. (Robert MacDonald), 1889-1969. Lester family. Lester's Chapel--Alabama--Shelby County. Carnegie Corporation of New York. Council of Southern Universities, Inc. Southern Fellowships Fund. Columbia University. Duke University. Vanderbilt University. Education, Higher--Southern States. Education, Higher--North Carolina. Education--United States--Finance. Endowments--United States. Charities--United States--Management. Libraries--United States. Teachers--Correspondence. African American universities and colleges--Southern States. Universities and colleges, Black--Southern States. Universities and colleges--Southern States. Public schools--Kentucky--Mayfield. Contents of Collection Subject and Name files, 1879-1969 (5 boxes)

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

1Information folder Addresses, 1930-1962(3 folders) American Libraries Association(2 folders) Awards, degrees, certificates Baldwin papers Birth certificate, passport Carnegie, Louise W. Carnegie Corporation, 1926-1968 and undated 2Century Association Chestnut family/Marrs family Clippings Columbia University Cosmos Club Covington, Tennessee Public Schools Duke University Financial papers and tax returns, etc.(5 folders) Genealogy General correspondence Legal papers 3Lester, Memory A. Lester, Ann U. Lester, Robert M., Jr. Lester, Samuel Robert(4 folders) Lester family Libraries and Librarians(2 folders) 4Mayfield, Kentucky Mexico City College Milam, Carl Miscellany Moving correspondence Pictures/Photographs Printed materials, 1927-1967(2 folders) Schwing family Southern Fellowship Fund Smith family and Watkins family Stingray Conference: S.L. Smith University of Michigan United Methodist Church Vanderbilt University(3 folders) 5Volume: Memoranda Volume: Autobiographical references in speeches by R.M. Lester Woodall family Yellow Leaf Creek(5 folders) Young, Bert E. Zimmerman, J.F.