Rebecca Latimer Felton papers, 1851-1930

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Summary

Creator:
Felton, William H. (William Harrell), 1823-1909 and Felton, Rebecca Latimer, 1835-1930
Date:
1851-1930
Extent:
23 Linear Feet (23 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Rebecca Latimer Felton papers, ms81, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the papers of Rebecca Latimer Felton, from 1851 to 1930. The papers include correspondence, speeches, articles, and scrapbooks; all reflecting her lengthy public career as author, newspaper columnist, lecturer, as she actively pursued her interests in politics, religious issues, penal and temperance reform and women's political rights. The papers reflect her involvement in the World's Columbian Exposition (1890-1894), the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta (1895), and as a delegate to the Progressive Republican Convention in Chicago (1912). Correspondents include readers of her articles and letters and those involved in Exposition matters. Other correspondents include General John B. Gordon, Alexander Hamilton Stephens, James Longstreet, William H. Hidell, Bertha Honore Palmer, Lafayette McLaws, Florence Williams Olmstead, President Rutherford B. Hayes, Georgia Governors A. H. Colquitt, Joseph Emerson Brown and William Yates Atkinson and family members, husband William H. Felton, son Howard Erwin Felton, and Charles and Eleanor Swift Latimer.

Biographical / historical:

Rebecca Latimer Felton (1835-1930), a Georgia native, graduated from Madison Female College in 1852 and received an honorary degree University of Georgia in 1922. After her marriage to William Harrell Felton in 1853, she lived in Bartow County, had five children, and wrote and lectured extensively. She promoted ideals such as equal rights for women, temperance, and penal reform. She authored three books and wrote a newspaper column, Mrs. Felton's Timely Topics. Dr. William Felton was a physician, minister in the Methodist Church, and politician. At the age of eighty-seven, Rebecca Felton was appointed by Governor Thomas Hardwick to fill the senatorial vacancy caused by the death of Thomas E. Watson. After the appointment on October 3, 1922, she attended two sessions and became the first woman to occupy the senate seat.

For more information, see the article Rebecca Latimer Felton (1835-1930) in the New Georgia Encyclopedia and her congressional biography.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Rebecca Latimer Felton in 1930
Arrangement:

Arranged by record type.

Access and use restrictions

Restrictions:

Due to preservation concerns, researchers are required to use the digital versions or microfilm copy. If viewing the physical collection is necessary, special permission is required.

Preferred citation:

Rebecca Latimer Felton papers, ms81, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.