William Barclay Parsons papers, 1899-1915

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Diaries have been catalogued as book manuscripts. All other archival items have been arranged alphabetical by material type within the online finding aid.

• I. William Barclay Parsons papers, 1899-1915

Description

Summary

This collection contains correspondence, including letters from U.S. President Grover Cleveland (1837-1908), Canadian author Gilbert Parker (1862-1932), and printed monographs and magazine articles. Please note that Parsons' diaries covering his Panama Canal years and World War I service have been catalogued as book manuscripts.

• I. William Barclay Parsons papers, 1899-1915

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William Barclay Parsons papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Custodial History

Gift of William Barclay Parsons, Jr., 1958.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Parsons, William Barclay, Jr. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1958. Accession number--M-58.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Revision Description

2020-08-18 Replaced PDF with a structured finding aid containing edited and enhanced description. cml

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

William Barclay Parsons (1859-1932) was a civil engineer, who attended Columbia University (AB, 1879; CE, 1882). As chief engineer, Parsons designed and built the first units of the Rapid Transit System of New York (1899-1904). In 1898, he directed a survey of Chinese railroads (1898-1899) primarily on the line from Hankow to Canton. Parsons was appointed to the international Board of Consulting Engineers for the Panama Canal (1905). In 1905, he was also selected chief engineer of the Cape Cod Canal (1905-1914). Parsons served in both the Spanish-American and World War I. He is the author of An American Engineer in China (1900), The American Engineers in France (1920), and other works relating to engineering.