1890 Longtime Queen’s University Professor James Williamson Letter Thanking Trinity Historical Society For Honorary Membership
12420On offer is an 1890 handwritten letter, on a Queen’s University card, from “Jas. Williamson” to the Trinity Historical Society of Dallas, Texas. Williamson is writing thanking the Society for making him an honorary member. The letter also states he has enclosed his photo, not included here.
The Rev James Williamson (1806-1895) was one of best-loved and longest-serving professors (53 years) at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1831.
He came to Queen's in 1842 as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. Williamson remained at Queen's until his death in 1895. During that time, he taught many subjects in arts, science, and theology, and was Queen's first vice-principal, serving from 1882-1895. He also established and was the first director of the Queen's Observatory, raised money for the university in endowment campaigns, served as secretary for the Board of Trustees, and wrote the beginning sections of the Domesday Book of Queen's University. In addition to the many other contributions he made to Queen's, Williamson was very popular with the students, who affectionately referred to him as "Billy." according to the Queen's University web site.
According to Professor André De Tienne, at the time collections of photographs and autographs were acquired by collectors utilizing deceptive methods, for instance “making them [people] believe that they were being honored with a membership in non-existent scholarly societies, such as the Northwestern Literary and Historical Society, or the Trinity Historical Society in Texas.”
Folded paper card 4-½ x 6-¾ inches. Holograph signed letter on Queen's University letterhead dated Kingston, 7th August 1890. Some paper marks, small corner folds, and evidence the item was pasted in an autograph book. Good condition.
Related itemS - 12423 12428 12431
Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information or to request photos. (Kindly include the SKU, listed on this page above the price, in your e-mail so we can more easily answer your questions.)
