Robert G. Ingersoll papers, 1884-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ingersoll, Robert Green, 1833-1899
Title
Robert G. Ingersoll papers
Dates
1884-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.80 cubic ft. (4 boxes)
Collection Number
01109
Summary
Robert Green Ingersoll was known as the Great Agnostic and stood in defense of this belief system during his professional career. Collection contains letters, accounts, clippings, books, pamphlets, a Master's thesis, and photographs.
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

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

Robert Green Ingersoll was known as the Great Agnostic and stood in defense of the belief system during his profession career as an American lawyer, writer, and orator. He also served as Attorney General of Illinois after serving in the Civil War. As a defender of progressive thought, Ingersoll was a dedicated Republican who traveled extensively to give speeches on liberal ideas of the time to large crowds. Ingersoll was also known to speak for the women’s rights and African American rights movements and against the Religious Right.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Collection contains letters addressed to and from Ingersoll—some to his wife Eva Ingersoll Wakefield; law firm accounts; newspaper and magazine clippings; book and pamphlets by Ingersoll that contain his lectures and speeches; papers belonging to Eva Ingersoll; a Master’s thesis on Ingersoll; photographs of Robert and Eva Ingersoll; a copy of The Letters of Robert G. Ingersoll edited by Eva Ingersoll; and books and articles about Ingersoll.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Eva Ingersoll Wakefield and Sherman D. Wakefield between August 1962 and September 1970.

Processing Note

Related Materials

Robert Green Ingersoll papers, 1826-1940, 0531F, Library of Congress.

Robert Green Ingersoll papers, 1854-1881, MSS Alpha Ingersoll, Chicago History Museum.

Papers of Robert Green Ingersoll, MSS 7025, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.

Robert G. Ingersoll papers, 2453, Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

The papers of Robert G. Ingersoll, 1826-1940, Film A 881, Lamont Library, Harvard University.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

InventoriesReturn 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 for 4 boxes.

Container(s) Description
Box
1-4

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agnosticism.
  • Books.
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Orators.
  • Pamphlets.

Personal Names

  • Wakefield, Eva Ingersoll, -- 1891-1970.
  • Wakefield, Sherman Day, -- 1894-1971.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Lectures.
  • Speeches.