Jefferson and Varina Anne Davis Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item], [folder], Jefferson and Varina Anne Davis Letter, 1886, Ms2022-028, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Davis, Varina Anne, 1864-1898 and Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
Abstract:
This collection contains a July 25, 1886 letter penned by Varina Anne Davis on behalf of her father, Jefferson Davis, to James H. Lane, former confederate general and former VAMC Commandant of Cadets. The letter is in response to a previous letter from Lane asking Jefferson Davis for a recommendation. This letter informs Lane that Davis' recommendation won't carry the same weight as it might have once had.
Language:
The materials in this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item], [folder], Jefferson and Varina Anne Davis Letter, 1886, Ms2022-028, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a July 25, 1886 letter penned by Varina Anne Davis for her father, Jefferson Davis, to James H. Lane, a former Confederate general and former VAMC Commandant of Cadets. The letter is in response to a previous letter from Lane asking Jefferson Davis for a recommendation. This letter informs Lane that Davis' recommendation won't carry the same weight as it might have once had. The collection also includes two typed copies of the letter.

Biographical / historical:

Varina Anne Davis was the youngest daughter of Jefferson Davis. She was born in Richmond on June 27, 1864, and lived until September 18, 1898. Following the death of her father she moved to New York where she worked as a novelist under the name Varina Anne Jefferson-Davis.

Source: Ferrell, Chiles Clifton (1899). "The Daughter of the Confederacy – Her Life, Character, and Writings." Mississippi Historical Society. https://archive.org/details/thedaughterofcon00ferr/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater.

Jefferson Finis Davis was born June 3, 1808 and lived until December 6, 1889. Davis was the first and only President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Prior to the war, Davis was elected to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. During the Mexican-American War, Davis was offered a promotion to Brigadier General but he turned it down. Also prior to the Confederacy, Davis was the United States Secretary of War.

Source: American Battlefield Trust. "Jefferson Davis Biography." https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/jefferson-davis. Accessed August 2, 2022.

Born on July 28, 1833 in Mathews Courthouse, Virginia, James H. Lane was educated at the Virginia Military Institute and later became a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. After the war, Lane served at the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (later Virginia Tech) as a professor of Natural Philosophy, General Chemistry, Military Tactics, as well as VAMC's first Commandant of Cadets. Lane went on to teach at the Missouri School of Mines and Auburn University. He passed away in 1907.

Acquisition information:
The Jefferson and Varina Anne Davis Letter was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2012.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Jefferson and Varina Anne Davis Letter was completed in August 2022.