William I. Chamberlain Papers, Finding Aid

RS 2/4

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Special Collections Department 403 Parks Library Ames, IA 50011-2140 515 294-6672 http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/index.html

RS 2/4 William Isaac Chamberlain (1837-1920) Papers, 1886-1997, n.d.

RS 2/4

2

Descriptive summary creator:

Chamberlain, William Isaac (1837-1920)

title:

Papers

dates:

1886-1997, n.d.

extent:

0.21 linear ft. (1 half-document box)

collection number:

RS 2/4

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

William Isaac Chamberlain Papers, RS 2/4, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

RS 2/4

3

Biographical note William Isaac Chamberlain was born in Sharon, Connecticut in 1837. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Ohio where he attended Western Reserve College (Case Western Reserve University) and upon graduation (1859) was appointed instructor in Greek. After six years, Dr. Chamberlain returned to his family’s farm and proceeded to study and conduct agricultural experiments related to farm fertilizers, drainage, and crop rotation. He published his studies in agricultural journals and became widely known for his investigations of agricultural issues. Dr. Chamberlain was elected State Secretary of Agriculture of Ohio (1880-1886) and was instrumental in setting up Farmers’ Institutes in every county of the state. Dr. Chamberlain’s reputation was well-known when he became the fourth President (1886-1890) of Iowa State College (Iowa State University). However, Dr. Chamberlain’s presidency was a turbulent one. He regularly defended the college’s curriculum which was often criticized by local citizens for not focusing enough on agriculture. On campus, many students opposed fraternities due to their secretive and exclusionary nature. Thus, his backing of student fraternities would eventually cost him the support of most of the students. He never did gain the favor of the faculty. Dr. Chamberlain resigned in 1890 and moved back to his Ohio farm where he continued to conduct agricultural experiments as well as write and lecture on agricultural issues. He served on the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University and the Ohio Experiment Station and became Associate Editor of the Ohio Farmer and the National Stockman and Farmer. William Chamberlain married Lucy Jones Marshall on July 16, 1863 and they had six children. Dr. Chamberlain died on June 30, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Collection Description The collection contains biographical information, correspondence, and inauguration programs. The correspondence includes letters between Chamberlain and Edgar Stanton, a member of Iowa State’s first graduating class (1872) as well as a faculty member of Iowa State. Also included are materials concerning the student disturbance of 1888 resulting from student opposition to fraternities.

Organization The collection is organized alphabetically.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

RS 2/4

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Container List Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Biographical Information

1890-1934, n.d.

1

2

Correspondence

1920

1

3

Family History – Joseph S. Chamberlain: Pioneer in Chemical Education

1997

1

4

Inauguration programs

1886

1

5

Student Disturbance of 1888

1888-1981

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY