Scope and Content Note
The papers of Henry Watterson (1840-1921) span the years 1863-1920, with the bulk from 1906 to 1920. The collection consists chiefly of incoming correspondence, a few short stories and articles, newspaper clippings, other printed matter, and miscellaneous documents relating mainly to the Louisville Courier-Journal, of which Watterson was editor, 1868-1921.
Much of the correspondence is from political leaders and fellow journalists and pertains to subjects ranging from speculation about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays to the career of Abraham Lincoln, national politics, prohibition, women's suffrage, and Woodrow Wilson. Also covered is Watterson's relationship with Samuel J. Tilden and the disputed presidential election of 1876, his views on tariff reform and Grover Cleveland, and the issue of free silver and the campaign for president in 1896 of William Jennings Bryan. Watterson strongly opposed Bryan at the time, but later became a supporter. Other topics of importance include slavery and its legacy, the economic development of the South during the period, and management issues within the Courier-Journal, especially in 1916-1917.
Prominent correspondents in addition to William Jennings Bryan include John Hay, Elihu Root, and Booker T. Washington.