Guide to the Richard Alexander Edwards Papers
1822-1974


Compiled by
Jason Adkins
and
Laura Lozier
Eastern Kentucky University
1997

R.G. 82
Edwards, Richard Alexander (1884-1982)
Papers, 1822-1974
3.15 cubic feet
5,250 items
5 boxes and 2 oversize boxes
97A4


Table of Contents


Introduction to the Richard Alexander Edwards Papers 
Richard Alexander Edwards Biography
Farm Series
Miscellaneous Series
Student Series
Subject Series
Subject Series
Subject Series
Teacher Series




Introduction to the Richard Edwards Collection

The Richard Alexander Edwards Collection contains documents from Mr. Edwards, and early documents of the Cook/Gatewood families, of which Pauline Cook, Edwards's wife, is a descendant. In addition to these family documents dating back to the early 19th century, there are scrapbooks of farm records and daily life. R.A. Edwards added to the scrapbook collection with notes on bee-keeping. Edwards saved many notes and compositions from his school days that are included in this collection. He also left teaching materials from his time teaching in rural schools, as well as at Eastern Kentucky State College. Finally, this collection contains memorabilia--certificates, diplomas, invitations, Christmas cards and various other remembrances that have been placed in a box of miscellaneous papers. The collection is not only useful for historical research, but also for a look at the life of a Kentucky student and educator in the early 20th century. Also in this series is a collection of letters pertaining to Edwards's work. This is useful for determining his concerns as an educator.

Richard Alexander Edwards Biography

Richard Alexander Edwards was born January 16, 1884, in Graves County, Kentucky. He taught in Graves County rural schools from 1902 to 1906. After receiving his Bachelors of Arts from the University of Kentucky in 1910, he worked as principal of Trimble County High School until 1914. From 1914 to 1918 he served as superintendent of Morganfield City Schools in Union County. He was employed by Eastern Kentucky State Normal School on September 1, 1918, as the director of the Training School. After winning the General Education Board Scholarship he studied at Columbia University, receiving his Master of Arts in 1925.

Richard A. Edwards was a member of the National Education Association (NEA), National Society for Supervisors of Student Teaching, and the Kentucky Education Association (KEA). He was appointed by Governor Fields to the State Textbook Commission and served from 1924 to 1928. From 1948 to 1951 he was on the State Personnel Council, having been appointed by Governor Clements.

Edwards initiated many programs in his career. In 1915 he helped organize the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. While principal at Trimble County and superintendent at Morganfield, he created sports teams. In 1926 Edwards organized Richmond's first permanent Boy Scout troop in the Model High School. He also wrote several books; Looking Back and Walters Collegiate Institute.

Edwards also had several articles published ranging in topic from the history of Kentucky, to education, to bee-keeping. Richard A. Edwards retired in 1954 after working at Eastern for thirty-six years. On May 25, 1964, Edwards won the Eastern Founders Merit Award, proving his lasting effects on the University. After retirement, Mr. Edwards spent many years working in the Crabbe Library binding books in the Townsend Room and organizing the University's first archives. It is obvious from R.A. Edwards's correspondence that he was respected. He gave advice freely. He was well liked by his colleagues. Thirty-eight fellow teachers signed a proclamation honoring him.

R.A. Edwards was married to Mildred Pauline Cook. They had two children Stephen Edwards, and M. Josephine Edwards. Richard Edwards died on October 8, 1982, and is buried in the Richmond Cemetery.

*Farm Series*

DESCRIPTION: The Farm Series consists of one box of materials relating to farm management. This series contains scrapbooks of farming records. Dating from 1882 to 1970, they record information about two farms. Eventually R.A. Edwards began farming the land, so he added to the scrapbooks. In addition to farming he raised honey bees, and a scrapbook on bees is included in this series. The records are a good source of information on prices, farming schedules, and farm layout. The series is arranged in chronological order.

INVENTORY 

BOX 1

Farm Record Book of James B. Cook, 1838-1912 Bedford, Ky
Gatewood and Cook - Family Record Book
Farming / Cookplace Land Records 1822-1937
Farming Cookplace by RAE 1937-1948
Edwards Beekeeping Records 1941-[1970]
Honey Bees

*Miscellaneous Series*

DESCRIPTION: The Miscellaneous Series is composed of one box of a wide range of documents. There is a folder giving the family history of R.A. Edwards all the way back to 1669. The series also contains memorabilia collected by Edwards. Name cards, dance cards, Christmas cards, and other pieces with sentimental value are kept here. This series shows a personal side of Richard Alexander Edwards. The series is arranged in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 2

Thomas Edwards (1669-1715) and his descendants
Richard Alexander Edwards Memorabilia 1909-1964
Diplomas and Certificates 1914-1970
Diplomas and Certificates 1905-1974

*Student Series*

DESCRIPTION: The Student Series is composed of two boxes of R.A. Edwards's student notes. Contained in this series are compositions, class notes from the sciences (Botany, Zoology, Sociology, Psychology), and exercises for Education classes (Educational Statistics, Tests and Measurements), dating from 1904-1959. Edwards was clearly a good student, and by looking at his notes one can see his study methods. His interests are also clearly seen by reading his compositions. The series is arranged in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 3

Compositions Richard A. Edwards Bowling Green, Ky 1904
Schloss Bros. and Co. Bowling Green, Ky., Small yearbook 1905
Scripture, Schoolboy Compositions, Essays, Speeches, Bulletins, etc., 1905-1959
Botany 1907
Educational Statistics

BOX 4

Zoology
Sociology
Psychology
Tests and Measurements

*Subject Series*

DESCRIPTION: The Subject Series consists of one box containing the Cook/Gatewood Family documents. Most of the documents in this series are letters from four brothers; George Homer Cook, James B. Cook, William G. Cook, and Alexander Cook. They were sons of Charles B. Cook and Sarah Gatewood. The letters and receipts in this series tell a story of farm life from 1820 to about 1911. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by name of correspondent, and then in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 5

Letters and Accounts of Archibald Bain 1823-1882
Alexander Cook 1855-1918
Charles B. Cook receipts 1826-1889
Charles B. Cook receipts 1854-1862
Charles B. Cook receipts 1863-1889
Correspondence Cook Family Daughters 1857-1880
Cook Family Daughters Correspondence 1880-1883
G. Homer Cook Letters and Notes 1875-1894
G. Homer Cook Receipts 1862-1897
James B. Cook Correspondence 1853-1873
James B. Cook Correspondence 1861-1866
James B. Cook 1867-1905
William G. Cook Correspondence 1855-1873
William G. Cook Correspondence 1873-1891
William G. Cook Letters and Receipts 1891-1911
Notes of William Gatewood 1820-1832
William Gatewood Notes 1832-1834
Notes of William Gatewood 1835-1840

*Subject Series*

DESCRIPTION: This series contains the correspondence of Richard Alexander Edwards from 1902 to 1974 in one box. Most of the correspondence regards professional questions. This gives the researcher a good idea of Edwards's projects and when he worked on them. There is a bound index to these letters included in the box. The series is arranged in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 6

Correspondence   1902
Correspondence   1904-1910
Correspondence   1910
Correspondence   1910-1911
Correspondence   1911-1914
Correspondence   1914-1918
Correspondence   1918-1924
Correspondence   1923-1924
Correspondence   1923-1924
Correspondence   1924
Correspondence   1924
Correspondence   1924
Correspondence   1924-1926
Correspondence   1925-1926
Correspondence   1926
Correspondence   1926-1927
Correspondence   1927
Correspondence   1928
Correspondence   1928
Correspondence   1928-1929
Correspondence   1929-1930
Correspondence   1930-1931
Correspondence   1931-1933
Correspondence   1933-1935
Correspondence    1935-1939
Correspondence   1939-1944
Correspondence   1944-1948
Correspondence   1948-1952
Correspondence   1952-1954
Correspondence   1954-1959
Correspondence   1961-1964
Correspondence   1964-1967
Correspondence   1968-1970
Correspondence   1970-1974

*Subject Series*

DESCRIPTION: The subject series is composed of one box of materials. Miss Mildred H. Cook kept a scrapbook from 1847-1929. She kept newspaper clippings. There are many jokes, poems, and social announcements. This scrapbook could be useful for finding birth and death announcements. The scrapbook is in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 7

Scrapbook of Miss Mildred H. Cook 1847-1929

DESCRIPTION: The teacher series is composed of one box of materials. R.A. Edwards held the position of director of the Training School at Eastern Kentucky State College for thirty-six years, 1918-1954. He was highly praised as an educator, being appointed to several committees by Kentucky governors and winning several awards. This series contains materials used by Edwards while teaching. Several of the documents were written by him. The series is arranged in chronological order.

INVENTORY

BOX 8

Teacher's Register and Grade Book of R.A. Edwards 1903-1906
A Manual for Observation and Method Teaching and Student Teaching 1928
Syllabus for Fundamentals of Secondary Education 1939