 Alexander Hamilton Stephens collection
Collection DescriptionHistorical NoteAlexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883) served as vice president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-65). A career politician, he served in both houses of the Georgia legislature before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1843. At the outset of the Civil War Stephens was elected to the Confederate Congress and chosen as the vice president of the Confederate States of America. He then famously gave the "Cornerstone Speech," in which he announced that the new government was founded on the idea that blacks were inferior to whites. Outwardly critical of President Jefferson Davis throughout his tenure in the Confederate high command, Stephens was arrested and imprisoned after the war's end. He was reelected to Congress in 1873 and served as governor of Georgia starting in 1882. For more information, see http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/alexander-h-stephens Scope and ContentThe collection consists of correspondence (reproductions and originals) written by Alexander Hamilton Stephens from 1841-1882. The four original letters: dated July 17, 1841, Crawfordville, Georgia, to Charles L. Jenkins, regards the University, candidacy, and includes a handwritten copy of a report of the House of Representatives; dated Crawfordville, Georgia, January 6, 1864, Dear Cobb, Stephens responds to Cobb's letter; dated Washington DC, June 3, 1858, to Charles Lanman, Stephens requests the return of his autobiographical manuscript; dated Washington DC, Dec. 19, 1858, to Charles Lanman, concerns a communication from George Rockingham Gilmer. Additional topics include political interests and the "Felton Matter." The collection also includes excerpts (undated reproductions) from Life of Alexander H. Stephens by Richard Malcolm Johnston and William Hand Browne. Administrative InformationConditions Governing AccessOnly original letters can be photocopied. Preferred CitationAlexander Hamilton Stephens collection, ms570, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries. Finding Aid PublicationFinding aid prepared on: 2015. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in this RepositoryRelated materials in this repository: Alexander H. Stephens papers, ms2038; Alexander Stephens photograph, ms2315; Alexander H. Stephens letter to R. H. Norris, ms2465; Alexander H. Stephens carte de visite and envelope, ms3230. | ||||||||||||||||||