RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

William Eaton Foster Papers (MSS005)

Providence Public Library

150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: special_collections@provlib.org

Arrangement

The William Eaton Foster papers consists of four series:

Series I: Writings and Speeches. This series contains three subseries: speeches and address, manuscripts and bound publications. Each subseries is arranged chronologically.

  • Subseries I: Speeches and Addresses
  • Subseries II: Manuscripts
  • Subseries III: Bound publications

Series II: Correspondence. Contains personal and professional correspondence with Foster's peers and professional associates with the bulk of letters being to Mr. Clarence Sherman, Associate Librarian at the Providence Public Library, while Foster was on vacation. Other correspondence in subseries concerns Foster's publications and other literary works as well as Foster's anniversaries, retirements, memorials and estate. Each subseries is arranged chronologically.

  • Subseries I: Sherman
  • Subseries II: Anniversaries, Honors, Memorials, Estate
  • Subseries III: Literary correspondence
  • Subseries IV: Miscellaneous correspondence

Series III: Commemorations, Memorials and Estate. Includes acknowledgments and honors for Foster's years of service. After Foster's death, the library board corresponded with his wife about honoring Foster's memory with several memorials, the plans for which are included here. Each subseries is arranged chronologically.

  • Subseries I: Sherman
  • Subseries II: Anniversaries, Honors, Memorials, Estate
  • Subseries III: Literary
  • Subseries IV: Miscellaneous

Series IV: Miscellaneous Items. Contains miscellaneous materials that don't fit in any of the other series. This consists of newspaper clippings of Foster's articles, clippings of items of note that Foster found interesting or useful, as well as reference materials and advertising materials for a talk Foster gave at the Rhode Island Historical Society.

  • Subseries I: Books Belonging to Foster
  • Subseries II: Clippings
  • Subseries III: Miscellaneous reference materials
  • Subseries IV: Miscellaneous materials