Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert N. Cook letters

Abstract

The Robert N. Cook letters (dated 1937-1950; 0.02 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprise letters sent to Robert Cook from his parents and siblings that document the life of a poor family in Kentucky from the Great Depression to post-World War II.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert N. Cook letters
Date
1937-1950 (inclusive)
Creator
Cook, Robert N., 1908-1992
Extent
0.02 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Draft resisters.
Family.
Great Depression
Great Depression -- Personal narratives.
Letters.
World War, 1939-1945.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0422: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert N. Cook letters, 1937-1950, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Robert Neil Cook (1908-1992) was born in Sturgeon, Kentucky to William Cook (1870-1953) and Mary Gabbard (1875-1962). He later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Lola Jane Fouler (1908-1936) in the mid-1930s. She and her child Louis (1936) died during childbirth. both her and their child Louis (1936-1936) passed away during childbirth. From March to October of 1944, Cook served in the US Army. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Robert N. Cook letters (dated 1937-1950; 0.02 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprise letters sent to Robert Cook from his parents and siblings that document the life of a poor family in Kentucky from the Great Depression to post-World War II. In the letters, his family discussed farming, employment, producing and publishing music, personal health, visits from family and friends, avoiding the draft. Many of the letters include requests for Robert to return home, whether for good or for a nice visit, along with them reminding him to complete paperwork for their mother so she could receive her "old age pension".
The Robert N. Cook letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Family letters to Robert Cook, 1937-1950

  • Box WH-22, folder 22
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.