William McMurtrie Speer papers, 1880-1936

After clicking 'Submit Request', users will login with their UNI and password (Columbia affiliates) or their special collections account (external users). Appointments are required and will be arranged according to each individual repository's policy.


Series II: Journalist and Publisher, 1884-1923


The Sun (New York, NY), 1884-1915

Speer was the Albany correspondent for The Sun, 1884-1893.



Flatbox 601 The Sun (New York, NY)--Scrapbook, 1884-1915

Scrapbook of clippings of his articles (1884-1893) and some later freelance work (1889-1915).



Box 3 Miscellaneous Correspondence and Printed Materials, 1884-1893


The Argus (Albany, NY), 1888-1898

Speer was editor and part owner of The Argus, 1893-1896.


Box 3 Correspondence, 1893-1898



Box 4 Manuscripts and documents, 1893-1897

Editorial drafts; contracts and documents re: typographic and syndication arrangements, job printing, and New York State government affairs


Box 4 The New York Mail and Newspaper Transportation Company, 1893

Documents and printed materials


Box 4 Printed materials and clippings, 1888-1896



Box 5 The Law Press - Legal and Other Printing, 1896-1897

Correspondence and documents


Box 5 The Cornucopia Company - Periodicals and music publishing, 1896-1901

Correspondence, music scores, documents, and printed items.


The Buffalo Express (Buffalo, NY), 1896-1903

Speer was a correspondent.


Box 5 Scrapbook of his articles, 1896


Box 5 Scrapbook of his articles, 1897



Box 6 Scrapbook of his articles, 1898-1899


Box 6 Scrapbook of his articles, 1902-1903



Flatbox 602 Scrapbook of his articles from various newspapers, 1896-1923


The World , 1904-1913

Speer was an editorial and legislative writer for The World from 1904-1909.



Box 7 Correspondence and editorial matter, 1904-1912


Box 7 Cartoons of Speer, undated


Box 7 Clippings and other printed material, 1904-1905



Flatbox 601 Scrapbook of clippings, 1905



Box 8 Printed editorials by Speer, clippings, and other printed materials, 1906-1908



Box 9 Printed editorials by Speer, clippings, and other printed materials, 1908-1913



Box 10 Insurance investigation, 1905-1909

Correspondence, drafts and memoranda, clippings, and other printed materials



Box 11 Panama libel suit, 1907-1910

Correspondence, drafts and proofs, memoranda and documents, clippings and other printed materials



Box 12 Panama libel suit, 1907-1910

Printed briefs, transcripts, and other legal documents


Periodical articles and books by Speer, 1903-1910



Box 13 Correspondence, drafts, proofs, and printed copies of his articles, including many on insurance


Box 13 Correspondence, the typescript, and a reader's report of his novel, John Van Buren, Politician



Box 14 Periodical articles and books by Speer, 1906-1922

Drafts and printed materials for his writings on several subjects including W.R. Hearst, Theodore Roosevelt, real estate, and legal subjects


Box 14 Scenario and publicity for the Fox Film Corporation, 1919-1922

Correspondence, drafts, and printed materials for his work on a film on wounded veterans of World War I


Box 14 The Evening Mail (New York, NY), 1922-1923

Speer was an editorial writer for The Evening Mail from 1922-1923. File includes correspondence and typescript drafts.