Scope and Contents
The Thomas Lawrason Riggs Family Papers pertain to T. Lawrason Riggs and his grandfather, George Washington Riggs. The papers of the younger Riggs consist of correspondence, manuscript materials, and assorted other items. There are single letters from John LaFarge, Hamilton Holt, and others, while the bulk of the correspondence is with Clarence J. McCabe and Alfred A. Purcell, and concerns Joan of Arc and the book Riggs was writing about her. The manuscript of the book, manuscript notes and various research materials are also present. Other T. Lawrason Riggs papers include a manuscript of selections in Vulgate Latin prepared by Riggs for a course; a notebook containing a poem, a chronological table of Chinese, Indian, and Japanese history, and notes on medical care; a photograph possibly of Riggs, his father, and his brother; and an invitation from the White House for Riggs and his brother. Finally, there are a few miscellaneous printed items and other papers, including an invitation dating ca. 1792-1800 from John Pintard to James Murray to a masons' meeting.
Three bound volumes constitute the papers of George Washington Riggs. Included are his autograph album and commonplace book, both dating from his Yale College days, and a catalogue of the books in his library, made in 1860. These volumes are in somewhat fragile condition and should be handled with care.
The Thomas Lawrason Riggs Family papers were a gift to Yale University from the estate of T. Lawrason Riggs in 1944 and from St. Thomas More House in 1961.
Dates
- 1828-1941
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the estate of T. Lawrason Riggs in 1944 and from St. Thomas More House in 1961.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The principal figures in the papers are T. Lawrason Riggs and his grandfather, George Washington Riggs. The papers of T. Lawrason Riggs, a Catholic priest, consist of correspondence, research materials and manuscripts for two works: "Joan of Arc and the Church" and "Readings in Church Latin." Also included are a notebook, photographs and memorabilia. His principal correspondents are Clarence J. McCabe and Alfred Purcell who wrote on Joan of Arc. Also letters from John LaFarge, Hamilton Holt and others. The papers of George Washington Riggs consist of three bound volumes: an autograph album and commonplace book from his Yale College days (1828-1829) and a catalogue of the books in his library.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Lawrason Riggs, B.A. 1910
Born June 28, 1888, in New London, Conn.; Died April 26, 1943, in New Haven, Conn.
Father, Elisha Francis Riggs (St. Mary's Coll., Oscott, Warwickshire, England), president Riggs & Company (later Riggs National Bank), Washington, D.C.; son of George Washington Riggs \( ex-1833) and Janet Madeleine Cecelia (Shedden) Riggs of Washington. Mother, Medora (Thayer) Riggs; daughter of James Smith Thayer (B.A. Amherst 1838) and Medora (Cheatham) Thayer of New York City. Yale relatives include a brother, E. Francis Riggs, '09.
University School, Washington, and Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn. Honors in English composition Junior year; philosopical oration appointment Junior and Senior years; an editor Yale Literary Magazine; secretary Yale University Dramatic Association Junior year, president Senior year; on Class Book Committee; member Yale Corinthian Yacht Club, University Club, Psi Upsilon, Scroll and Key, Chi Delta Theta, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Traveled abroad 1910-11; attended Harvard Graduate School 1911-15 (M.A. 1912; assistant in English 1912-13); instructor in English at Yale University 1916-17; enlisted in Mobile Hospital No. 39 (Yale unit) June 27, 1917; overseas August 22, 1917-July 5, 1919; served at Limoges September 20, 1917-April 10, 1918 and Aulnois-sous-Vertuzey (Meuse) until transferred to Mobile Hospital No. 3, Paris, July 27, 1918; attached to American Mission, Bureau Interallié, Paris, August, 1918- May, 1919; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Infantry, as of September 8, 1918; assigned to 866th Company, Transportation Corps, Bordeaux; discharged July 15, 1919; attended Catholic University of America 1919-20, St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., 1920-21, and St. Thomas' Seminary, Hartford, Conn., 1921-22; ordained priest in Roman Catholic church June 10, 1922; chaplain Catholic Club at Yale 1922-38 and its successor The More Club 1938-43; founded St. Thomas More Association for Catholic students at Yale 1937 and through the Association was instrumental in the building of St. Thomas More Chapel; author: The Book of Kildare and Other Verses (1911), Mr. Goodenough on Christianity (pamphlet, 1930), and The Saving Angel (1943); translator: Social Principles of the Gospel by Alphonse Lugan (1928) and the The Last Night of Don Juan by Edmond Rostand (1929); an editor The Christendom Series; contributed to The Harvard Illustrated Magazine, Yale Alumni Magazine, Yale Scientific Monthly, The Catholic World, La Revue des Jeunes (Paris), Ecclesiastical Review, The Symposium, and other publications; on editorial council and contributor to The Commonweal; member advisory council Albertus Magnus College 1925-43 and instructor in religion 1925-38; on executive committee National Conference of Christians and Jews 1928-43; administrator Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, East Haven, 1922-38; associate fellow Calhoun College 1933-43; trustee The Newman School, Lakewood, N.J.; director The Calvert Associates; governor Yale Publishing Association.
Death due to coronary occlusion. Buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery, New Haven. Survived by no immediate relatives.
Father Riggs left a bequest to St. Thomas More House, the income of which is to be used for the salary of the chaplain.
From Yale University Obituary Record
- Autographs
- Clergy
- Commonplace books
- Educators
- Holt, Hamilton, 1872-1951
- Joan, of Arc, Saint, 1412-1431
- La Farge, John, 1880-1963
- McCabe, Clarence J.
- Purcell, Alfred
- Riggs, George Washington, 1813-1881
- Riggs, T. Lawrason (Thomas Lawrason), 1888-1943
- World War, 1914-1918
- Yale College (1718-1887). Class of 1833
- Yale University -- Faculty
- Yale University -- Students
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas Lawrason Riggs Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Janet Elaine Gertz
- Date
- July 1983
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511