William Gilmer Perry Papers
Collection
Identifier: MS050
William Gilmer Perry was a faculty member of the English Department at Georgia Tech for 47 years. These papers relate to his status as an adjunct professor and later, as the department head.
(one half-sized document cases).
None.
Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Head of Archives and Special Collections.
0.2 Linear Feet
The William Gilmer Perry papers include correspondence, organizational materials, writings, and a memorial address for Georgia Tech President Kenneth Matheson. The letters included in this collection are ones that Dr. Perry received in December of 1900. They indicate the offer and acceptance of the initial position he took at Georgia as an adjunct professor. The organizational materials include papers related to the Georgia Council of English Teachers and a course outline.
In the summer of 1913, he kept a journal during a trip to Europe. Included are details of his daily activities, a list of expenses, and addresses of acquaintances he met along the way. Dr. Perry eulogized his friend and former Georgia Tech president Kenneth Matheson, who originally hired Dr. Perry when he was still a member of the English faculty. Poetry written by Dr. Perry is mostly undated, although "At Christmas Time" is dated 1926. His subject matter focused on nature and plants, as evidenced by such titles as "Her Garden" and "The Pine Wood."
William Gilmer Perry joined the English faculty at Georgia Tech as an adjunct professor in 1900, rising to department head in 1922. By 1934, he was dean of general studies. He served at Georgia Tech for 47 years, before retiring in 1948. Students facetiously called his literature classes the "Hour of Charm." Legendary both on campus and off, Perry was regarded as one of Atlanta's most eligible and popular bachelors. Born in 1877 in Columbia, South Carolina, he received a bachelor's, master's, and an honorary doctoral degree from Davidson College. He belonged to several language associations, the Rotary Club, and the Masons, and served for many years on the library committee. Dr. Perry died in 1951.
The William Gilmer Perry Papers are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
A print copy of this finding aid is available in the Georgia Tech Archives reading room.
Accession #1987.1104 (old number: 87-11-04).
(one half-sized document cases).
Yen M. Tang processed these papers in 2000.
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository