The Daniel B. Williams Papers, 1879-1895

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia State University
Johnston Memorial Library
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9406
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, Virginia 23806
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Juan-Pablo Gonzalez
Phone: (804) 524-6945
Phone: (804) 524-5582
Fax: (804) 524-6959

Summary

Creator:
The Williams Family
Abstract:
Daniel Barclay Williams was the first instructor of Greek and Latin at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute from 1884-1895. Mr. Williams prior to coming to Virginia State University had studied at Brown University and had taught in the public school system in Richmond, Virginia. His papers consist of his library, photographs, and copies of the "Annual Reports," Superintendent, Public, City of Richmond for 1879-1880, 1880-1881, and 1881-82. Included in this are a number of books written by Mr. Williams. Acc.# 1997-64a
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The personal papers and library document the short life and career of Daniel B. Williams. His Personal library includes most of the text used in the teaching of Greek and Latin, at Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute from 1883-1902.

Biographical / historical:

Daniel Barclay Williams was born in 1862 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1877 he graduated from Richmond Normal School with high honors. Mr. Williams then enrolled at the Worcestor Academy graduating in 1880. He attended Brown University that summer and returned to Richmond in the fall to teach. Mr. Williams is reported to have continued a course of study at Brown (however no record of a degree has been located).

Mr. Williams joined the faculty of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (now Virginia State University in 1885). For the next ten years Mr. Williams taught Classical Languages and authored nine books. Daniel Williams was an early advocate of textbooks written from an African American perspective.

Daniel Williams was the first faculty member to author a book. His first publication was: The Science and Art of Teaching.

Arrangement:

Series I. Schools Records Names, minutes of the Navy Hill School in Richmond

Series II. Literary Books authored by Mr. Williams

Series III. Photographs Family members, friends. Included is a photograph book

Series IV. Portrait A color portrait of Daniel B. Williams, 28'x32'