William A. Leavy Papers,1812-1955 (bulk 1873-1877).

Author

Processed by: staff; machine-readable finding aid created by:Bonnie Cox

Title

William A. Leavy Papers

Date

1812-1955 (bulk 1873-1877)

Repository

Transylvania University Special CollectionsLexington, Kentucky 40508 USA

Conditions Governing Access note

Open to researchers.

Preferred Citation Note

[Identification of item], William A. Leavy Papers, 1812-1955 (bulk 1873-1877), MSC 17,Special Collections, Transylvania University, Lexington.

Extent

.5 cubic ft.

Biography/History

William A. Leavy was the son of early Lexington, Kentucky storekeeper, William Leavy (1755-1831). Following education at Transylvania University's grammar school and academy (1803-1811), Leavy entered into his father's dry goods business. He served as a member of the Transylvania Board of Trustees for various terms between 1821 and 1838. In 1873 he wrote a history entitled "A Memoir of Lexington and its Vicinity," comprised of his remiminscences of the city's early development, his education at Transylvania, and his impressions of Transylvania's professors. This memoir was subsequently published serially in THE REGISTER OF THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (V. 40-42, 1942-1944).

Scope and Content

The papers of William A. Leavy include the handwritten manuscript of his "Memoir of Lexington," and notes related to his historical research and to George W. Ranck's HISTORY OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY (1872). Also included is a letter from Leavy to Robert Peter concerning the Leavy's impressions of Horace Holley, who was president of Transylvania University from 1818 to 1827 (1837); and a list of Transylvania students for the period 1804 to 1811. Also present is miscellaneous correspondence of Leavy's granddaughter Elsie Leavy relating to her donation of these papers to Transylvania University (1938-1955). Among the latter are photographic negatives of William A. Leavy's Fayette County home, "The Elms," taken in 1940. Condition of material: fair (acid damage). Variant title: William A. Leavy papers.

Subjects

• Holley, Horace, 1781-1827.
• Leavy, Elsie.
• Leavy, William A., 1796-1877?
• Peter, Robert, 1805-1894.
• Ranck, George Washington, 1841-1900.
• Transylvania University -- Presidents.
• History of Lexington, Kentucky.
• Memoir of Lexington.
• College presidents -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
• College students -- Kentucky -- Lexington
• Historic buildings -- Kentucky -- Fayette County-- Photographs.
• Lexington (Ky.) -- History.
• Manuscripts for publication
• Photographs