Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Alfred W. Lawson papers, 1904-2004, (bulk 1931-1989)
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Lawson, Alfred W. (Alfred William), 1869-1954
- Title
- Alfred W. Lawson papers
- Dates
- 1904-2004, (bulk 1931-1989) (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- cubic ft. (36 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 07504
- Summary
- The Alfred W. Lawson papers contain materials relating to Lawson's aviation career, his social reform efforts, and Lawsonomy.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Alfred W. Lawson was born in London, England, in 1869. After moving to America, Lawson played professional baseball, was a pioneer aviator, aviation manufacturer, writer, and editor. He is credited for editing the first popular aviation magazine, “Fly,” in 1908. Lawson established an aircraft manufacturing company in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from 1917-1918. His practical achievements in aviation include building and flying one of the first airliners (which Lawson billed as the first airliner), and being awarded several of the first air mail contracts.
Lawson retired from aviation in 1928 to further his work in social reform and philosophy. Lawson founded numerous organizations, including the Direct Credits Society, Des Moines University of Lawsonomy, and the Humanity Benefactor Foundation. Additionally, he propounded his own metaphysics based philosophy, Lawsonomy, and established the Lawsonian Religion. Lawson died in Texas in 1954.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The bulk of the Alfred W. Lawson papers consist of documents (correspondence, minutes, reports, etc.), related to the Lawson founded Direct Credits Society (1934-1989), Des Moines University of Lawsonomy (1934-1955), and the Humanity Benefactor Foundation (1943- 1985). The collection also contains periodicals written and edited by Lawson, books written by Lawson, and biographical documents and ephemera.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The Alfred W. Lawson papers have been processed and divided into four series. Materials have been arranged alphabetically by description.
Related Materials
Related MaterialsAdditional papers for Alfred W. Lawson can be found at the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library and the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThis material was received from 1982-2008 from Sam Manson, Dolores Stearns, Lyell Henry, and Merle Hayden.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by John Hanks in 1997 and Matthew Francis in 2010.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I. Document BooksReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | |
|---|---|---|
Sub-series 1.Direct Credits Society Original correspondence, minutes, orders, and reports gathered together and bound in book form.
|
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manolovich |
1934-1941 |
| 2 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manolocivh |
1941-1945 |
| 3 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manolovich |
1945-1948 |
| 4 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manolovich |
1949 |
| 4 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1950-1951 |
| 5 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1952-1954 |
| 6 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1955-1957 |
| 7 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1957-1959 |
| 8 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1960-1961 |
| 9 | Documents in Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1962-1963 |
| 10 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1964-1965 |
| 11 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1966-1967 |
| 12 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1968-1970 |
| 13 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1970-1973 |
| 14 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1973-1975 |
| 15 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1976-1978 |
| 16 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1978-1981 |
| 17 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1981-1984 |
| 18 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1985-1987 |
| 19 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Sam Manson |
1987-1989 |
| 19 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society, Trustee Minutes - Sam Manson |
1954-1979 |
| 20 | Documents in Direct Credits Soceity - Walter Manson |
1960-1972 |
| 21 | Documents in Direct Credits Society - Walter Manson |
1973-1975 |
| 22 | Documents in Direct Credits Society - Walter Manson |
1976-1978 |
| 23 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society - Fred Parsons |
1939-1958 |
| 24 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society, Monthly and Yearly Reports - Sam Manolovich |
1935-1937 |
| 24 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society, Daily and Monthly Reports - Sam Manolovich |
1950-1953 |
| 25 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society, Meeting Reports - Sam Manson |
1947-1959 |
| 25 | Documents in the Direct Credits Society, Yearly and Monthly Reports - Sam Manson |
1950-1953 |
Sub-series 2. Des Moines University of Lawsonomy |
||
| Box | ||
| 26 | Trustee Minutes - Sam Manson |
1943-1955 |
Sub-series 3. Humanity Benefactor Foundation |
||
| Box | ||
| 26 | Minutes - Sam Manson |
1943-1985 |
Series II. Books by Alfred W. LawsonReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 29 | A New Species |
1944 |
| 33 | A Two Thousand Mile Trip in the First Airliner |
undated |
| 27 | Aircraft History |
1947 |
| 27 | The Airliner and its Inventor Alfred W. Lawson (in Collaboration with Cy Q. Fuance) |
1921 |
| 27 | Alfred Lawson, His Master Works |
undated |
| 27 | The Almighty: Volume Three Lawsonomy |
1939 |
| 33 | Bezpośrednie Kredyty Dla Każdego (Polish Translation for Direct Credits for Everybody) |
1931 |
| 27 | Born Again |
1904 |
| 33 | Born Again (Photocopies of Chapters XI and XII) |
1904 |
| 33 | Childhood Days of Alfred Lawson, a Four Act Play |
1943 |
| 27 | Children |
1938 |
| 27 | Creation |
1931 |
| 27 | Direct Credits for Everybody |
1931 |
| 33 | Direct Credits for Everybody |
1973 |
| 28, 33 | Gardening Text Book for Des Moines Uinversity |
1943 |
| 28 | General Orders Direct Credits Society |
1934 |
| 28 | Historical Documents Aircraft History, Congressional Record Recommendations to Congress, January 22, 1918, to September 17, 1918, Humanity Benefactor Foundation |
1982 |
| 28 | Humanity |
1932 |
| 33 | Know Business |
1937 |
| 28 | Lawson, Aircraft Industry Builder |
undated |
| 28 | Lawson, From Bootblack to Emancipator |
undated |
| 28 | Lawsonian Religion |
1949 |
| 29 | Lawsonomy, Volume I |
1922 |
| 29 | Lawson's Mighty Sermons |
1948 |
| 29 | Lawson's Proverbs True to Life |
1945 |
| 29 | Manlife |
1923 |
| 29 | Mentality |
1938 |
| 29 | Penetrability |
1939 |
| 29 | Short Speeches |
1942 |
| 30 | Webster's Dictionary, with Aviation Glossary by Alfred Lawson |
1913 |
Series III. Magazines, Newspapers, and Short PublicationsReturn to Top
Materials were written, edited, or published by Alfred Lawson
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 31 | 100 Great Speeches |
undated |
| 30 | Aircraft |
1910-1913 |
| 31, 33 | Benefactor (Including Reprints and Photocopies) |
1936-1991 |
| 31 | The Benefactor with 10 Great Speeches |
undated |
| 33 | The Devil (Photocopy and Reprint) |
1916 |
| 33 | Elucidation of the Fourteen Points and Lawson's Olympia Address (Photocopy) |
1934 |
| 31 | Fifty Speeches |
undated |
| 30 | Fly |
1908-1909 |
| 30 | Flying |
1918, 1920 |
| 33 | General Orders for Officers and Members of the Direct Credits Society (Photocopy) |
1934 |
| 33 | Great Speeches (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Help the Merchants (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Hey Farmers (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Humanity/Direct Credits for Humanity/Direct Credits (Photocopies) |
1932-1936 |
| 33 | Know the Game Manufacturers (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Police (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Powerful Editorials (Photocopy) |
1935 |
| 33 | Questions and Answers in Up-to-the-Minute Economics - Finance - Capital - Labor |
1933 |
| 34 | Some Information Concerning Aircraft that Will Prove Useful to Congress, Bulletins 1-140 |
1918 |
| 34 | Watch the Slickers |
1934 |
| 34 | Miscellaneous Short Publications |
undated |
Series IV. Miscellaneous MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | |
|---|---|---|
Sub-series 1. Lawson Organizations |
||
| Box | ||
| 34 | Aviation Songs (Lawson Air Liner) |
undated |
| 30 | Christmas Greetings Card |
undated |
| 30 | Correspondence about Lawson and a Monthly Report Form |
1936-1979 |
| 30 | Copies and Originals of Lawson Material Used in Exhibits |
1953 |
| 31, 34 | Des Moines University of Lawsonomy Flyers and Pamphlets |
undated |
| 34 | Des Moines University of Lawsonomy Tax Investigation Documents |
1943-1948 |
| 34 | Direct Credits Society Ephemera |
undated |
| 31 | Lawson Airline Calendar |
1981 |
| 31 | Lawson Airliner Posters |
undated |
| 34 | Lawsonomy Students Reunions Program |
1954 |
| 30 | Photographs of Lawson and his Exhibit in Wisconsin |
1953 |
| 34 | Songs of Lawsonomy |
1961 |
| 30 | Tickests to Lawson Assemblies |
1934-1945 |
Sub-series 2. Biographical |
||
| Box | ||
| 34 | Alfred Lawson Coin |
1919 |
| 32 | Awards Ceremony Booklet, Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame |
1992 |
| 32 | Biographical Clippings and and Summaries |
1943-1952 |
| 32 | Book - "The Aeroplane Scrap Book No. 1, 19110-1941" by D.D. Hatfield |
1976 |
| 32 | Book Excerpts about Lawson |
1929-1987 |
| 32 | Book - "Fads and Fallacies," by Martin Gardner |
1957 |
| 32 | Book - "Pioneers of Avaiation, Biography Series No. 1" by D.D. Hatfield |
1976 |
| 32 | Book - "The Real McGraw" by Mrs. John J. McGraw |
1953 |
| 32 | Book - "The Winged Gospel," by Joseph J. Corn |
1983 |
| 32 | Booklet for Lasa Yoga Game |
undated |
| 32 | Brass Plaque for Lawson Exhibit |
undated |
| 32 | Congressional Record Excerpts |
1934, 1952 |
| 35 | FBI File |
1934-1964, 1981 |
| 36 | Lawson Bibliographis |
1936, 1942, undated |
| 36 | Lawson C-2 Airliner Plans |
undated |
| 36 | Lawson Speech Transcript (in German) |
1934 |
| 36 | Magazine Excerpts about Lawson |
circa 1920s - 1970s |
| 32 | Magazine Excerpts about Lawson and Early Partner Burnelli |
1927-1982 |
| 36 | Newspaper Clippings - Des Moines Register and Des Moines Tribune |
circa 1940s - 1950s |
| 32 | Periodical - Air Trails |
1949 |
| 32 | Periodical - Modern Mechanics |
1930 |
| 32 | Periodical - OX5 Aviation Pioneers |
1977 |
| 32 | Periodical - Scientific Age |
1927 |
| 32 | Periodical - True |
1962 |
| 32 | Periodical - The Vintage Airplane |
1978 |
| 32 | Periodical - World War I Airplanes |
1981, 1982 |
| 31 | Photograph - Alfred Lawson at 80 |
1949 |
| 32 | Plans for Lawson Airliner Model from Balsa Wood |
1978 |
| 36 | Presentation - Larger Planes and Lower Passenger Rates |
1928 |
| 36 | Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Materials |
2004 |
Additional Container ListsReturn to Top
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Aeronautics--United States.
- Aircraft industry--Periodicals--United States.
- Economics--United States.
- Metaphysics--United States.
- Religions (Proposed, Universal, etc.)--United States.
- Social reformers--United States.
- Universities and colleges--Iowa--Des Moines.
Geographical Names
- Des Moines (Iowa)
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Des Moines University of Lawsonomy.
- Direct Credits Society.
- Humanity Benefactor Foundation.
Processed by John Hanks and Matthew Francis
2010
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
