MS 4 Donald Wilson Papers

Donald Wilson Papers
1953-1983 [bulk 1956-1964]
MS 4

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Wilson, Donald Randolph
Title: Donald Wilson Papers
Dates: 1953-1983 [bulk 1956-1964]

Abstract: Papers relating to the administration of Donald Wilson as President of Oglethorpe University.

Quantity: 0.5 cubic feet

Administrative History

Donald Randolph Wilson was President of Oglethorpe University from 1956-1957. These papers were collected in the course of his administration as President and retained by Oglethorpe University.

Biography

Donald Randolph Wilson was the eighth president of Oglethorpe University after succeeding J. Whitney Bunting. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 17, 1917, married Mary Virginia Honor in 1943, and had two sons by her, Donald Randolph, Jr. and Thomas Honor. Wilson received an Associate of Business Degree from Princeton in 1939, and LL.B. from the University of Virginia in 1942, and an LL.D. from Salem College in 1952. Before his arrival at Oglethorpe, Wilson, a member of both the Virginia and West Virginia Bar Associations, worked at the law firm Steptoe and Johnson for branches in both Clarksburg and Charleston, West Virginia and a branch in Washington, D. C. Wilson was named one of the Junior Chambers of Commerce’s Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year in 1951. He served in the Medical Administrative Corps in World War II, and was a member of the American Legion. Wilson was also awarded various military honors, including the French Legion of Honor, the Republic of France’s Medal to Her Liberators, and a National Guard of Honor’s Distinguished Service Medal. Donald Wilson was named President of Oglethorpe by Philip Weltner in 1956 and was President for only eleven months before resigning to join the Hearst Corporation in 1957. Wilson’s short administration made no lasting contributions to Oglethorpe University.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

Description

This collection consists of papers relating to Donald Wilson’s administration as President of Oglethorpe University from 1956-1957. The items include memos and reports related to Oglethorpe University, programs of events, speeches written by Donald Wilson, corespondences both to and from Donald Wilson, press clippings, images, and biographical data.

Restrictions

None.

Subject Headings

Wilson, Donald Randolph, 1917- .

Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA) — Presidents.

Folder List

Box 1

Folder 1. Administrative Papers. 1956-1976

Folder 2. Biographical Data/Information.
Folder 3. Correspondence. 1953-1960.
Folder 4. Images/Photos.
Folder 5. Copies of Press Clippings. 1956-1983.
Folder 6. Press Clippings. 1956-1983.
Folder 7. Speeches/Events. 1953-1960.
Folder 8. Miscellaneous Printed Materals.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation:
Please cite Donald Wilson Papers, MS 4, Archives, Philip Weltner Library, Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia. Permission to publish from this collection must be approved in writing by the Director of the Library, Oglethorpe University.