Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edgar Lewis family papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edgar Lewis family papers
- Date
- 1933-1958, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Lewis, Edgar
- Extent
- 0.10 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Letters.
- Genealogy.
- Family.
- World War, 1939-1945.
- Military life.
- Friendship.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms132.0610: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edgar Lewis family papers, 1933-1958, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Edgar Lewis (1918-1985) was born in Kentucky to Alonzo Lewis (1880-1950) and Laura Gertrude Cheek (1893-1962). From 1937 to 1958, Edgar served in the US Army, participating in World War II and the Korean War. Edgar had four siblings, Richard (1916-1985), Lyndon (1920-2013), Trilby (1922-2004), and Rose (1930-1963). Out of his siblings, Lyndon also served in the military. He was a fighter pilot during World War II, flying with the Flying Tigers of the 14th Army Air Corps, 23rd Fighter Group, 75th Fighter Squadron. During his time he flew in 66 combat missions and for a total of over 300 hours. Lyndon received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medals, and an Air Force Unit Citation.
- 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 Edgar Lewis family papers (dated 1933-1958, undated; 0.10 cubic feet; 2 folders, 74 photographs) comprises letters, a family biography, and photographs that document the family background and military service of Edgar Lewis and his family during World War II. The letters are to Gertrude Lewis, matriarch of the family, from two of her sons, updating her on their lives in the military, personal health, how her grandchildren are, and financial concerns. The family biography details the genealogical connection between a Lewis family ancestor and Bettie Washington, sister to George Washington. The photographs depict military life, living in military camps, friendship, and family.
- The Edgar Lewis family papers collection is 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.
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.
Table of Contents
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.
Requests
No items have been requested.
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.
