William L. Stooksbury Papers
Abstract
William L. Stooksbury was an educator and administrator. He was the 3rd president of Lincoln Memorial University in Cumberland Gap, TN where he served from 1904-1910. This collection includes correspondances, articles, and other materials
Dates
- 1895-1940
- Majority of material found within 1904-1910
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
"William L. Stooksbury was born on July 4, 1877, in Union County, Tennessee. He attended U. S. Grant University in Athens, TN and graduated with an A.B. degree in 1891 and a Master of Arts degree in 1894. He did graduate work at the American Temperance University in Harriman, TN where he earned the L.L.B. in 1896. He earned the Ph.D. in 1900 from the University of Chicago. In 1904 he was elected President of Lincoln Memorial University in Cumberland Gap, TN where he served from 1904-1910.
In 1917 he was appointed as the 13th superintendent of Knox County schools. Halls Consolidated School opened his first year in office but it had been planned and funded by the previous administration. He left his role as superintendent in 1923 to become President of Knoxville Business College (now known as South College), where he would serve until his death in 1939. Dr. Stooksbury had earned a Ph.D. degree in a time when that was a very rare accomplishment. He then spent the rest of his career furthering the cause of secondary and higher education in his home region. He is buried in beautiful Greenwood Cemetery."
-By Bridges Funeral Home: https://www.facebook.com/BridgesFH/videos/william-stooksbury/1698187213568994/
William L. Stooksbury was interested in interested in becoming president in 1902, but recieved an offer at Virginia Instition which he accepted. He married Ella Jamison in 1903.
He ensured strict rules, not afraid of expelling students with just cause. "He supervised the students with a benign authoritarianism". (68) The highlight during his presidency was the growth of the student body through advertisement and diligence. He allowed working students to also put down a depsoit and pay through their paycheck through the semesters. He was particuarly engaged with work-learn or work-study.
In 1907 he became the precesiding officer of the Board of Directors in which he became dilligent in fundraising. He managed to recieve money from Carnegie to help construct a new building (103). Due to conflict with the budget, he resigned in the summer of 1910.
Stooksbury moved to Los Angeles where he became involved in real estate, then moved to Knoxville for futurnature. He served as the superintendent of Knox County Schools (1917-1923), organized the Knoxville Buisness College then served as president for 15 years. He passed on April 28, 1939.
- Summary and Excerpts taken from "Lincoln Memorial University and the Shaping of Appalachia" by Earl J. Hess.
Extent
1.75 Legal-sized Hollinger Box (0.7 Linear Feet)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- William L. Stooksbury Papers
- Author
- Finding Aid uploaded and edited by Olivia Coyne (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