Switzler, William Franklin (1819-1906), Papers, 1836-1905 (C461)

1 linear foot

INTRODUCTION

The Switzler Papers consist of memoirs, a circular, and a typescript history of the University of Missouri. The history of the university is also available on microfilm.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Switzler Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Mrs. W.S. Branham on 17 June 1944 (Accession No. 144). Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Branham donated an addition to the collection on 22 July 1949 (Accession No. 3052). Another addition was made by the university on 31 July 1946 (Accession No. 2862).

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

William Franklin Switzler was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, on March 16, 1819. His family came to Fayette County, Missouri, in 1826. He studied law under Abiel Leonard and James S. Rollins and was admitted to the bar.

In 1841 Switzler became the editor of the Columbia Patriot. In 1843 he started the Columbia Statesman and remained its editor for forty-two years. Before the Civil War he was involved in Whig party politics and was a staunch Union man during the war. After the war he was a member of the Democratic party, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1866 and 1868, and was made Chief of the Bureau of Statistics in 1885.

Switzler's major literary works were the History of Missouri, History of Boone County, and the History of the University of Missouri. The university history was unpublished at the time of his death in 1906.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Switzler Papers contain the typescripts of two memoirs written by Switzler about trips to the South. The first was written in 1836 about an 1835 trip overland to Alexandria, Louisiana; then by steamboat to New Orleans; the return trip being by boat up the Mississippi to St. Louis. The second memoir, written between December 1836 and April 1837, describes a trip that started in September 1836, went overland to Natchez and back up the Mississippi to St. Louis.

The undated circular comments on the merits of Switzler's history of the University of Missouri and advocates its publication by funds appropriated by the legislature.

The typescript copy of Switzler's history of the University of Missouri, 1811-1904, finished in 1905, is also available on microfilm.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1Memoir, 1836
f. 2-5Memoir, 1836-1837
f. 6Circular, n.d.
f. 7-60History of the University of Missouri, 1811-1904; 1905 (also available on 2 rolls of microfilm)

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Agriculture
  • Arkansas
  • Arkansas, Little Rock
  • Catholic Church
  • Diaries
  • Diaries--Travel
  • Gasconade River
  • Lead Mines & Mining
  • Louisiana, Alexandria
  • Louisiana, Natchitoches
  • Louisiana, New Orleans
  • Mississippi River
  • Mississippi, Natchez
  • Mississippi, Vicksburg
  • Missouri, Springfield
  • Missouri, St. Louis
  • Osage River
  • Railroads
  • Red River
  • Roads
  • Springs, Mineral
  • Steamboats
  • Switzler, William F. (1819-1906)
  • Tennessee, Memphis
  • Theater
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Missouri, History
  • White River