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Archives at Cornell

Scrapbook, 1903-1965

 Item — Box: 7

Scope and Contents

Scrapbook compiled by William Hull Botsford’s family after his death. Materials date from 1903-1965. Images of Botsford’s work are present, including drawings he did for the Cook Academy (a local school) “Walking Leaf” publication and reproductions of his designs for various Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad stations and the Tunkhannock Viaduct. Scrapbook also contains numerous news clippings about Botsford’s life. These include articles about his graduation from Horseheads High School; obituaries for his high school classmates; reports on various design projects; coverage of the Titanic disaster and Botsford’s death; and later commemorations of the anniversary of the sinking. Also present in the scrapbook is correspondence, both professional and personal. Professional correspondence to Botsford includes a letter from the architect Kenneth M. Murchison, writing to discuss a position; the editor of Cement Age, writing about Botsford’s article for the magazine; and the Office of Commissioners of Berks County, Pennsylvania, on design work that Botsford did for them. Other correspondence present includes a letter from the Orange, New Jersey YMCA appointing Botsford head of their wrestling committee, as well as letters from Botsford to his family. Personal correspondence includes letters and a telegram of sympathy to Botsford’s family after his death. In addition to a series of letters addressed to Botsford’s parents from G. Rankin Maitland, an English sailor whom Botsford had befriended shortly before sailing for home aboard the Titanic. Later materials present in the scrapbook include the Band of Botsford Bulletin, a newsletter for the Botsford family, and materials relating to an exhibit of Botsford’s drawings held at the Arnot Art Gallery in 1961. An envelope attached to the back cover of the scrapbook includes one of Botsford’s sketchbooks.

Dates

  • 1903-1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Series:

Series is open for research.

Extent

2.9 cubic feet.

4 mapcase folders.

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
607-255-3530
607-255-9524 (Fax)