Manuscript Register

This document describes a collection of materials held by the
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1420
Phone: 319-335-5921
Fax: 319-335-5900
e-mail: lib-spec@uiowa.edu

Posted to Internet: March 2003

Acquisition Note: The Papers of William A. Smith were given to the University of Iowa Libraries in 1960 by his son, Paul F. Smith.

Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research.

Photographs: Folder 4

Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department.

Copyright:  Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on "Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials"

Use of Collections:  The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement.

Biographical Note

William A. Smith was born in Andalusia, Illinois, on November 19, 1870. He graduated from Western College in Toledo, Iowa, in 1886 and two years later earned his law degree from the University of Iowa. From 1898 to 1918 he practiced law in New Hampton and Nashua, Iowa, moving his practice to Dubuque in 1918. He served as president of the Iowa Bar Association in 1941, and was elected to the Supreme Court of Iowa the following year. Smith died on June 10, 1958, at the age of 87.

Scope and Content

This small collection of papers includes speeches given by Smith, letters written to him, and poetry which he both wrote and collected.

Related materials

Who Was Who in America, 1951 -- 1960, Volume III; Iowa Press Association
Who's Who in Iowa (Des Moines, 1940)
Business Men of Iowa, 1953 (Des Moines)

Inventory

FOLDER 1

A speech concerning the Federal ballot for the right of servicemen to vote for state and local offices, c1942

FOLDER 2

"Civilization at the Crossroads," speech given in 1943, at the New H. Congl. Church's 85th anniversary

A letter from Mrs. (Ruth) Kiene, written January 9, 1943

FOLDER 3

"National Sovereignty," addressed to the Black Hawk County Bar Association on September 5, 1944

FOLDER 4

A poem "Christmas -- 1944 Romey -- Smith Style"; the original and typed copies

A poem "Postscript -- A.D. 1950"

Undated poem "Compensations"

Undated collection of poetry titled "Vagrant Verse," along with one poem, "The Mountain," is included a small black and white photograph, "Lone Pine"

Small collection of puns, Christmas card poems, and verse

FOLDER 5

Letter of thanks from Frank R. Kennedy returning W.A. Smiths' original manuscript and a carbon copy

Speech given Supreme Court Day at the presentation of the Law Review certificates in April 1949 (2 copies)

FOLDER 6

Dubuqueland, a collection of verse finished about 1951

Obituary, Des Moines Register, June 11, 1958