Guide to the Robert Connel Papers 1871-2021
Cage 42

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Connel, Robert, 1851-
Title
Robert Connel Papers
ID
Cage 42
Date [inclusive]
1871-2021
Date [bulk]
1889-1891
Extent
0.5 linear feet of shelf space, 1 Box
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
This collection consists of correspondence, notes and clippings on bill establishing Washington's land-grant agricultural college, now Washington State University, in 1890. It includes addresses, essays, correspondence, photographs, and other papers concerning Robert Connel, his life, family, and philosophy.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Robert Connel Papers, 1871-2021 (Cage 42)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

Robert Connel (May 1, 1851- Nov. 5, 1917), was a Scottish immigrant who graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Bachelor of Arts, and from the University of Rome with a Masters of Arts before immigrating to the United States. Settling in Garfield County, Washington, Connel lobbied for the creation of what would become Washington State University, and conducted extensive research into how to establish a college. He authored the original 1889 legislature outlining the function and curricula of the State College of Washington. In his later years, Connel became a recluse on his Garfield County property.

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Scope and Content

This collection consists of correspondence, notes and clippings on bill establishing Washington's land-grant agricultural college, now Washington State University, in 1890. It includes addresses, essays, correspondence, photographs, and other papers concerning Robert Connel, his life, family, and philosophy.

The photocopies in folder 4 seem to be of the contents of folder 3, though no effort has been taken to see if all items are copied, or if anything else is there. Similarly, the notes in folders 6 and 7 appear identical, and appear to be transcribed from the contents of folder 5, though, again, no check has been made for edits, or for ommissions or additions.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged in a single series.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2022

https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated by E. V. Kuykendall. In 1995, the contents of folders 1, 9, 10, and 11 were added to the collection, with the contents of the latter three folders being donated by Dora May Wallace, great-niece of Connel. In 2021, the contents of folder 12 were added, donated by Caroline Hardie of Castle Hill, NSW, Australia.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Washington State University -- History
  • State College of Washington -- History

Personal Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Connel, Robert, 1851- -- Archives.

Subject(s)

  • State universities and colleges -- Washington (State) -- History.
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Laws and Legislation
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

box folder

Articles about Robert Connel. 1917-2000 

1 1

Personal history, photographs of Connel, his wife Janetta, and his farm, correspondence, will, and passport application. Includes remembrances by E.V. Kuykendall, Janetta Connel, Dewey Brown, and John Robertson. 1915-1954 

1 2

Newspaper clippings about the state college. 1889-1891 

1 3

Newspaper clippings about the state college (photocopies). 1889-1890 

1 4

Correspondence and notes concerning creating the state college. 1889-1890 

1 5

Notes and papers about bill creating the state college (transcript). 1889-1891 

1 6

Notes and papers about bill creating the state college(carbon and transcript) (note: as of March, 2020, that carbon is missing). 1889-1891 

1 7

Diploma from University of Edinburgh. circa 1870 

1 8

Biographical sketch of Janetta Henderson Veitch Connel, by Dora May Wallace. 1995 

1 9

Photographs: Janetta Henderson Veitch Connel; Robert Connel; George Hardie Veitch; Janetta's school in Australia. circa 1865-1995 

1 10

Photograph of Dora May Wallace with librarian John Guido. 1995 

1 11

Printouts of documents collected, compiled, or written by Caroline Hardie. Includes documents from his college, and a lengthy history written by Hardie. 2021 

1 12