Benjamin F. Cousins Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains papers received by Benjamin F. Cousins while a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) during the 1888/1889 academic year. Among the several pieces of personal correspondence in the collection is a letter from VAMC president Lunsford L. Lomax, expressing his regret that Cousins will be leaving school, promising to provide Cousins assistance if needed, and explaining that Cousins' sophomore expenses would be much lower than he'd had as a freshman. Accompanying a letter from VAMC commercial science professor William H. Graham is a letter of recommendation for Cousins and a certificate for completion of a bookkeeping course. The collection also includes Cousins' grade reports, together with account statements and receipts for student fees. Also included are a 1902 form letter from the staff of the Bugle (the university annual) and a copy of Cousins' 1957 obituary.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1888 - 1889
Creator
- Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (1872-1896) (Organization)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
Benjamin Francis Cousins, son of William and Fannie James Cousins, was born in Callands (Pittsylvania County), Virginia on August 25, 1871. Alumni directories identify Cousins as a member of the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) class of 1892, though he is not listed as a student in any of the university's catalogs after 1888/1889. According to his obituary, Cousins joined the staff of Lynchburg [Virginia] National Bank and Trust on October 22, 1890, eventually rising to the position of assistant cashier before retiring around 1947. He served as secretary-treasurer of Group IV, Virginia Bankers Association for 33 years; helped organize the Piedmont Club, and was a member of Oakwood Country Club and St. John's Episcopal Church. He married Anna Mary Zirkle, and the couple had one daughter. Benjamin F. Cousins died in Staunton, Virginia on July 20, 1957, and was buried in Lynchburg's Spring Hill Cemetery.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Papers of Benjamin F. Cousins, a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) in 1888/1889, including personal correspondence, grade reports, and student fee account statements and receipts.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Benjamin F. Cousins Papers were acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 1990.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Benjamin E. Cousins Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Benjamin F. Cousins Papers commenced and was completed in July, 2022.
- Title
- Benjamin F. Cousins Papers, 1888-1889
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2022 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu