Cyrus Kehr Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains biographical information; correspondences 1886-1934 (both general and from LMU's Board of Trustees/Director); his resignation letter from LMU, 1901; Land abstract; Publications (A Nations Plan, Seaports in Nation and World Planning, The Great Lakes Region of North America), 1920-1934; and LMU ephemera (flag and blank checks).
His daughter, Marguerite Kehr, donated correspondences. These were accepted by Robert Kincaid, and maintained contact regarding the collection (1957-1970).
Dates
- 1897-1898
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice.
Conditions Governing Use
The nature of the University Archives and Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Carnagie-Vincent Library claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Lincoln Memorial University assumes no responsibility.
Biographical / Historical
Cyrus Kehr (1856-1941) was Lincoln Memorial University's 1st president from 1897 until 1899.
He was an educator, studied law, and practiced law in Chicago beginning in 1886. (25) He managed the direction of LMU, particularly through his role of Board of Directors president. He worked to receive land and funding during the university's beginnings.
Due to conflicts, he would become distant from LMU. Kehr would not move to TN until 1899 due to unsuitable land in Harrogate, instead settling in Knoxville with his family practicing patient law for more than 20 years. He then moved to Washington D.C. in 1920, continuing his practice and publishing multiple books around urban and state planning. (62) "A Congregationalist and Republican, he died in Washington in 1941."(63)
Information summarized from:
Hess, Earl J. Lincoln Memorial University and the shaping of Appalachia. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2011.
Within this collection is a selection of papers written by Kehr's daughter, Marguerite to the later presidents of the university. They include personal notes about the school and events. She also sent correspondence concerning the acknowledgement and recognition of her father within the school with paintings and photographs.
- Chelsea Ferron (Nov 2012), HIST 393
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (0.5 Hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Cyrus Kehr (1856-1941) was Lincoln Memorial University's 1st president from 1897-1899. This collection includes correspondences, articles, deeds, and ephmera during his time at LMU.
- Title
- Cyrus Kehr Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding Aid originally written by Chelsea Ferron (Oct 2012). Uploaded and edited by Olivia Coyne (2026 March 23)
- Date
- October 2012; 2025
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2025 December: Added Abstract; Biography/History (Olivia Coyne)
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives & Special Collections Repository
Lincoln Memorial Univesity
Carnegie-Vincent Library
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate Tennessee 37752 United States
archives@lmunet.edu
