Robert Lee Preston Address n.d.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Creator:
Robert Lee Preston
Abstract:
This collection consists of an undated, typed manuscript signed by Robert Lee Preston titled "Our First, Last, and Only Entangling Alliance. A Forgotten Incident in Our History." The nine page document discusses the United States' treaties with France, signed 6 February 1778, securing French support during the Revolutionary War, but also stipulating obligations from the United States in exchange.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of an undated, typed manuscript signed by Robert Lee Preston titled "Our First, Last, and Only Entangling Alliance. A Forgotten Incident in Our History." The nine page document discusses the United States' treaties with France, signed 6 February 1778, securing French support during the Revolutionary War, but also stipulating obligations from the United States in exchange.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Lee Preston was born in Canada in 1863. His parents, Thomas S. (1842-?) and Nannie E. (1844-?) Preston, were both United States citizens born in Virginia. The family returned to Virginia some time during Preston's childhood. Little information is available about the early years of his life. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia, and attended universities in Berlin and Leipzig. Preston became headmaster of the University School, a boys prep school, in Washington, DC in 1891. In 1912, he acquired Meadowbrook, a 400 acre farm outside of Leesburg, Virginia, which he operated as a boarding school for boys. It is unclear when he closed the school.

Preston married Leonora Johnston (1864-1952) and had two children, Leonora (1896-1968) and Elliott (ca. 1900-1978). A collection of articles he wrote about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, Southern Miscellanies, was published in 1919. Preston was involved with the establishment of Thomas Balch Library in 1922, serving as chairman of the board of trustees overseeing the library's construction. Preston died 25 July 1941 in Leesburg.

Acquisition information:
Loudoun County Public Library Administrative Office