- Creator
- Nelson, Thomas, 1872-
- Size
- 6.8 linear feet (10 boxes, 1 oversize legal box, 1 album, and 1 flat folder)
- Call number
- MC 00002
This collection contains material documenting the personal and professional life of Thomas Nelson, an internationally renowned textile expert and educator. Included are correspondence, photographs, textile samples, clippings from print media, class and lab notes, and Nelson's various published works. Of special interest in this collection is correspondence with then-Democratic presidential nominee Franklin Delano Roosevelt, correspondence with a North Carolina State alumnus serving in World War II, and a signed 4th edition of Nelson's book, Practical Loom Fixing.
Thomas Nelson (1872-1953) worked as educator, administrator, and textile technologist. He served the Textiles Department at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) from 1901 to 1949, originally as an instructor, then Head of the Textiles Department, and later as the first Dean of the School of Textiles.
Biographical/historical note
Thomas Nelson (1872-1953) worked as educator, administrator, and textile technologist. He served the Textiles Department at North Carolina State College from 1901 to 1949, originally as an instructor, then Head of the Textiles Department, and later as the first Dean of the School of Textiles.
Nelson was born in Preston, England on April 24, 1872. In Preston, he studied at the Harris Institute Technical School. He earned a certificate for weaving and designing in 1891 by the City and Guilds of London Institute. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from North Carolina State College in 1926. When he joined the faculty at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University) in 1901, the department had only one instructor and a couple of weaving machines. At his retirement as Dean of the School of Textiles in 1943, Nelson headed one of the largest and most successful textile schools in the country. In 1908, Nelson helped organize and was a charter member of the Southern Textile Association, and in 1943, he was chosen as the first president of the newly formed National Council of Textile School Deans. Between 1911 and 1922 he also served as a Commercial Agent for the Bureau of Manufacturers of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Special Agent for the United States Tariff Board, and consultant with the Tariff Commission. In the summers of 1934 and 1937, Nelson traveled to Europe to visit the leading textile schools in England, Ireland, and Scotland. He authored two books: Weaving: Plain and Fancy (1907) and Practical Loom Fixing (1917), which by 1949 had been published internationally and in five editions. He was active in scholastic, civic and religious affairs on campus and in the community throughout his life. Nelson died in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 11, 1953.
1885
Received Labour Certificate
1890
Received weaving certificate from Harris Institute
1891
Received certificate for weaving and designing by the City and Guilds of London Institute
1896
Arrived in the United States
1900
Named instructor of Power Weaving at Lowell Textile School
1901
Became an instructor of Textiles at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University)
1907
Weaving: Plain and Fancy is published
1906
Named Director of Textile Department, North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
1908
Charter member of the Southern Textile Association
1911
Began work as a Commercial Agent for the Bureau of Manufacturers of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Special Agent for the United States Tariff Board, and Consultant with the Tariff Commission
1917
Practical Loom Fixing is published
1922
Finished work as a Commercial Agent for the Bureau of Manufacturers of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Special Agent for the United States Tariff Board, and Consultant with the Tariff Commission
1924
Named Dean of Textile School, North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University)
1926
Received honorary Doctor of Science degree from North Carolina State College
1934
Traveled to Europe to visit the leading textile schools in England, Ireland, and Scotland
1937
Traveled to Europe a second time to visit the leading textile schools in England, Ireland, and Scotland
1940
Death of wife Mary Nelson
1943
Retired as Dean of the School of Textiles, North Carolina State College
1943
President of newly formed National Council of Textile School Deans
1947
Named by Phi Psi fraternity as "Man of the Year"
1953
Died in Raleigh, North Carolina
Scope/content
This collection contains material from the personal and professional life of Thomas Nelson, an internationally renowned textiles expert and educator. Thomas Nelson, the first Dean of the Textiles School of North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University), began his career as an instructor and later became the head of the Textiles Department. Included in this collection are correspondence, photographs, textile samples, clippings from print media, class and lab notes, and Nelson's various published works. Of special interest in this collection is correspondence with then-Democratic presidential nominee Franklin Delano Roosevelt, correspondence with an N.C. State alumnus serving in World War II, and a signed 4th edition of his book Practical Loom Fixing.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series:
- Series 1. Personal Papers
- Series 2. Professional Papers
Use of these materials
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
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 North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Thomas Nelson Papers, MC 00002,
Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Source of acquisition
Gift of Thomas Nelson Jr., 1970 January 7, with additions from other sources, 1970-1984.
Processing information
The collection is organized into two principal series:
Personal Papers 1877-1953 (MC 00002 Series 1)
Size: 3 linear feet (3 boxes, 1 oversize legal box, 1 album)
This series contains the personal papers of Thomas Nelson. It covers his family life, along with his involvement in civic organizations. Included in the letters are correspondence from Senator J. W. Bailey, and then-Democratic presidential nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt.
This series is divided into three subseries: correspondence, clippings, and miscellaneous.
Correspondence 1921-1951 (MC 00002 Subseries 1.1)
This subseries contains the personal correspondence, 1921-1951, of Thomas Nelson. It includes correspondence with Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States Senator J. W. Bailey, and North Carolina Governor J. Melville Broughton.
Man of the Year 1947 1947 April 10-1948 March 26
Golden Anniversary of Arrival in America 1946 April 23-1946 April 30
Alumni Memorial Building 1946 November 3
Senator J. W. Bailey 1933 June 22-1940 October 1
Gov. J. Melville Broughton 1942 April 3
J. D. Cooper 1944 December 19
Extenso Hangar Co. 1946 February 18-1947 April 5
Fred Feiker 1951 October 13
L. R. Gilbert 1933 September 1
J. W. Harrelson 1934 July 27
Edith E. Haydell [sp?] 1945 May 25
Tom Morgan 1936 November 6
Morris Plan Industrial Bank 1927 August 23-1928 December 21
W. Robinson 1921 August 10
Franklin D. Roosevelt 1932 August 22
Ben Rudisill 1947 June 17
Ross Shumaker 1925 October 1-1944 April 4
State Hospital at Raleigh 1948 October 4
Walter A. Thomason 1942 October 20-1943 November 24
Clippings 1918-1953 (MC 00002 Subseries 1.2)
This subseries contains newspaper clippings that provide information from both the First and Second World Wars, until December 1939. It also includes newspaper clipping from throughout the state discussing Thomas Nelson's automobile accident in 1938, and includes his obituaries that ran in the Raleigh Times and the News and Observer.
Obituaries 1953 April 11-1953 April 12
World Wars I and II 1918 November 28-1939 September 3
World Wars I and II 1939 September 3-1939 September 4
World Wars I and II 1939 September 4-1939 September 24
World Wars I and II 1939 September 24-1939 September 30
World Wars I and II 1939 November 5-1939 December 20
Automobile Accident 1938 February 25-1938 March 4
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 1
Miscellaneous 1877-1953 (MC 00002 Subseries 1.3)
This subseries contains various facets of Thomas Nelson's personal life. Its oldest document is his School Attendance Certificate, which dates to 1877. This subseries inludes income tax records for Nelson from 1917 until his death in 1953. It also covers other aspects of Dean Nelson's personal life, from his nuclear family to extended family. Information concerning Thomas Nelson's involvement with the Lions Club and freemasonry, as well as information concerning his wedding to Mary Andrews in 1902, is also found in this subseries.
Delco Gas Heater 1945 May 30-1945 September 11
Dog Registration 1941 April 1-1948 August 16
Family 1916 November 25-1952 December 17
Fairmount Baptist Church 1949 December 6-1949 December 18
Finances 1921-1934 April 4
Heating Oil Rationing 1942 October 15-1944 May 23
Honorary Doctorate 1926 June 9
"House's Pain Killer" Recipe undated
Illness 1949 June-1951 November
Insurance 1909 March 15-1952 June 27
Leasing Documents 1945 April 11-1949 January 20
National War Fund undated
North American Manx Association 1943 May 6-1949 August 6
Photographs 1922 July 5-1941 December 1
Radio Broadcast Tickets 1951 August 14
Dr. James R. Rogers 1916 June 24
"The Traveler," 1938 April
"The Traveler," 1941 October
Birth Certificate 1880 March 12
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 2
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 3
Harris Institute 1900 September 24-1912 June 30
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 4
Labour Certificate 1885 April 27
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 5
Lions Club 1928 July-1952 October 24
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 6
Masonic Order 1934 January 6-1942 November 6
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 7
Mary Nelson, Death 1940 May 6-1940 November 1
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 8
School Attendance Certificate 1877
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 9
Professional Papers 1900-1954 (MC 00002 Series 2)
Size: 3.8 linear feet (7 boxes and 1 flat folder)
This series contains the professional papers of Thomas Nelson. It covers his career in respect to North Carolina State College and external work with the federal government. This series also includes many publications of Thomas Nelson as well as various teaching materials and papers from the Textiles Department of the College of Textiles.
Professional Correspondence 1901-1951 (MC 00002 Subseries 2.1)
The professional correspondence subseries contains correspondence that relates to Thomas Nelson's career with the college and federal government. It contains correspondence from heads of textile companies as well as letters from alumni upon the retirement of Dean Nelson. This subseries also contains letters pertaining to Thomas Nelson's placement as an instructor in the Textiles Department in 1901 and correspondence about his eventual position as Director of the Textiles Department, and finally, as Dean of the Textiles School.
Alumni Conclave 1950 November 2-1951 April 10
H. L. Barden 1946 November 14
Clarence S. Brown 1943 December 14-1944 January 11
C. A. Cannon 1940 June 10
Judge Heriot Clarkson 1926 April 30-1928 June 2
Morris L. Cooke 1943 July 9-1943 October 25
Leslie B. Coombs 1945 November 10
M. D. C. Crawford 1942 July 28-1942 July 31
Harry T. Davis 1949 October 12-1950 January 24
Football 1922 October 30-1948 November 1
O. Max Gardner 1942 April 3-1946 December 13
Arthur Graham 1947 October 1-1948 March 29
Franklin W. Hobbs 1932 June 1-1941 January 21
Imported Fabric 1947 February 6-1947 June 3
Burke M. McConnell 1947 May 28-1947 June 6
Z. B. Mangum 1951 June 26
Edward Meyer 1945 March 9-1945 March 19
National Council of Textile School Deans 1940 March 27-1951 November 2
North Carolina Textile Foundation 1943 January 5-1943 January 8
Phi Kappa Phi 1943 November 15-1943 November 17
T. H. Purcell 1939 November 3-1940 October 22
Retirement 1943 January 4-1943 December 6
Harry Riemer 1949 July 15-1951 April 24
Thomas L. Rusk Jr. 1947 March 12-1947 March 18
William M. Slutsch 1922 January 11
Dean of Textiles School 1925 July 21-1928 February 9
Director of Textiles Department 1906 April 17-1906 April 18
Instructor of Textiles 1901 July 23-1901 August 29
The Textile Manufacturer 1908 July 25
Textile Square Club 1939 August 8-1939 September 7
Correspondence 1916 January 4-1947 March 1
Frank Graham 1932 November 21-1947 February 7
Clippings 1906-1953 (MC 00002 Subseries 2.2)
This subseries includes media clippings from Thomas Nelson's career at North Carolina State University. It contains clippings from newspapers throughout the state, which cover items such as the Textiles School specifically, or the activities of Dean Nelson. It also contains information concerning his text, Weaving Plain and Fancy Free.
O. Max Gardner 1929 February 17-1929 March 18
Miscellaneous 1912 June 20-1953 February 6
National Council of Textile School Deans 1943 May 4-1953 May 15
Retirement 1943 March 16-1943 November 12
Senior Class 1922 April 22-1922 February 27 1933
Speeches 1928 March 4-1946 February 16
Textile School 1906 March 28-1933 June 25
Textile School 1933 November 10-1950 November 7
Textile Square Club 1939 July 24-1942 March 31
Weaving: Plain and Fancy undated
Design School [1 of 2] 1923 March 23
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 10
Design School [2 of 2] 1923 March 23
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 11
Publications 1907-1947 (MC 00002 Subseries 2.3)
This subseries contains published works of Thomas Nelson. Included in this series are his books, along with notes written by the author. It also contains articles written in Russia, along with articles written in Nelson's native language English. These publications touch on various technologies and techniques employed in the production of textiles.
Amtorg Publishing Division 1938 May 30
Rayon Monthly 1936 January-1937 February
The Spinning Wheel 1934 May
Textile Bulletin 1942 January 1-1943 February 15
Textile Bulletin 1943 March 1-1943 May 1
Textile Bulletin 1943 May 15-1943 July 1943
Textile Bulletin 1943 August 1-1943 October 1
Textile Bulletin 1943 October 15-1943 December 1
Textile Bulletin 1943 December 15-1944 February 1
Textile Bulletin 1944 February 15-1944 March 15
Textile Bulletin 1944 April 15-1944 June 1
Textile World 1930 August 23-1945 April
Practical Loom Fixing 1931 August 13-1947 February 17
Practical Loom Fixing (4th Edition) [1 of 3] 1936
Practical Loom Fixing Notes [copy 1] undated
Practical Loom Fixing (4th Edition) [2 of 3] 1936
Practical Loom Fixing (4th Edition) [3 of 3] 1936
Practical Loom Fixing Notes [copy 3] undated
Practical Textile Designing 1945
Practical Textile Designing 1931 December 31-1946 May 20
Cotton Manufacturers 1907 June-1907 December
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 12
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 13
Clark Publishing 1916-1950
Practical Loom Fixing 1943 July 8- 1949 September 14
Practical Textile Designing 1943 February 10-1947 February 7
Published Books 1907-1943
Textile School Papers 1913-1954 and undated (MC 00002 Subseries 2.4)
This subseries highlights the development of textiles at North Carolina State College. It contains various class notes and teaching materials used by Thomas Nelson throughout his tenure at the university. Included are various fabric samples. In addition, there are notes for a Defense Course, which was sponsored by the United States Government during World War II. This subseries also includes information about the new textile building, Nelson Hall, and its naming.
American Wool and Cotton Reporter 1922 July 6
Cloth Patterns and Designs undated
Costs for Winding Various Deniers of Dyed Yarns from Skins to Spools, Cones, and Cops 1930 November 6
Cotton Spinning Industry Act 1936
Defense Course [1 of 4] 1943 June 7-1943 August 27
Defense Course [2 of 4] 1943 June 7-1943 August 27
Defense Course [3 of 4] 1943 June 7-1943 August 27
Defense Course [4 of 4] 1943 June 7-1943 August 27
Double Fabric Designs undated
Drawing in Drafts undated
Educated Man of the 20th Century undated
Equipment Request 1940 November 18
Experimental and Research Laboratory 1921 May 18
Fabric Inspection undated
Fabric Testing [1 of 2] undated
Fabric Testing [2 of 2] 1926 January 12-1926 May 10
First Annual Report of the Spindles Board 1937 October
Freshmen Assembly 1933-1943
Graduate Placement 1935 June 14-1948 May 15
Importance of Timing of Shedding Motion and Its Effect on the Fabric undated
Knitting Instructions for "Cleanse" Yarn undated
Junior Designing Course undated
Method of Figuring Woolen and Worsted Clothes undated
N.C. State Alumni News 1939 October
Nelson Hall 1938 December 5-1938 December 12
North Carolina State Deans undated
Opportunities for Instruction and Research 1926 March
Parachute Fabrics undated
Price of Cleanse Wraps 1930 May 1-1930 July 1
Senior Yarn Manufacture, Spinning, and Twisting 1946
Southern Garment Manufacturer [1 of 2] 1946 January
Southern Garment Manufacturer [2 of 2] 1946 January 20
Southern Textile Bulletin 1931 July 30
Speaker's Library Magazine 1941 April
State College Record 1921 January
Student Textile Expos and Style Shows 1933 April 26-1940 April 26
Supplies 1927 May 30-1940 February 13
Textile Bulletin 1944 February 15
Textile Bulletin 1945 December 15
Textile Designing [1 of 6] undated
Textile Designing [2 of 6] undated
Textile Designing [3 of 6] undated
Textile Designing [4 of 6] undated
Textile Designing [5 of 6] undated
Textile Designing [6 of 6] undated
Textile Educational Facilities of State College undated
Textile Samples [1 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [2 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [3 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [4 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [5 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [6 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [7 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [8 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [9 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [10 of 11] undated
Textile Samples [11 of 11] undated
Textile World 1937 February
Textile World 1939 September
Textile World 1942 December
Trends in Textile Education undated
University Consolidation 1931 June 13-1954 June 30
Useful Textile Tables and Calculations undated
Wool and the Manufacturing of Yarns on the Woolen System 1948
Budgeting for Business Control 1922 November 1
Cost Accounting Through Use of Standards 1925 June 3
Depreciation 1921 October 15
Fabrication Production Department 1921 January 10
Increased Profit through Waste Prevention undated
Perpetual Inventory of Stores Control 1922 May 15
Reducing Textile Cost and Trouble 1924
Some Facts and Figures on Textile Mill Operation 1917
Terms used in Cotton Industry 1915
Textile Mill Cost Accounting 1913
Watchdog of Production undated
What a Cost System can do for You 1920
Wool Scouring, no. 1 undated
Wool Scouring, no. 2 undated
Wool Scouring, no. 3 undated
Textile Samples [1 of 2] undated
Textile Samples [2 of 2] undated
Nelson Hall 1940 March 5-1954 June 25
Textile Equipment [1 of 2] undated
Textile Equipment [2 of 2] undated
Travel 1924-1941 (MC 00002 Subseries 2.5)
This subseries provides information on the travels taken by Thomas Nelson in his official capacity with the college. It includes information about his various trips to New England, Canada, Europe, and the western United States. Dean Nelson took these trips in order to gain a better perspective on the textile industry and as a means of helping North Carolina State College's textiles program continue to develop and expand its reach.
Florida 1937 December-1938 January
Florida 1938 December 26-1939 January 1
New England 1924 August 4-1924 September
New England 1925 July 25-1925 September 9
New England 1936 July 16-1936 August 18
New England and Canada 1939 July 17-1939 September 29
New York 1930 August 5-1930 August 23
Seattle 1935 July 10-1935 August 20
Western United States 1933 July 20-1933 August 2
Western United States 1938 June 15-1938 August 17
Western United States and Canada 1931 July 24-1931 August 26
Western United States and Canada 1941 July 11-1941 August 30
Europe 1934 May 16-1934 September 10
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 14
Europe 1937 March 11-1937 March 25
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 15
Europe 1937 April 2-1937 April 29
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 16
Europe 1937 May 26-1937 June 28
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 17
Europe 1937 August 31-1938 April 7
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 18
Miscellaneous 1900-1951 (MC 00002 Subseries 2.6)
This subseries contains various documents from the career of Thomas Nelson. Included is information concerning his work with the United States government along with various achievements during his career. It includes such information as speeches, and technical information about a general textile operation. It also includes information about his retirement in 1949 from North Carolina State University.
Bureau of Manufacturers, Department of Commerce and Labor 1912 July
Lowell Textile School 1900 August 20
Milestones 1926-January 1942
Mill Inspection and Appraisal 1919 May 1-1943 November 2
Retirement of Colleagues 1946 August 12-1951 July 9
Reynolds Patent 1929 December 10-1942 January 24
Technical and Cost of Textile Operation 1900-1902
Cumberland Homestead Project 1937 November 1
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 19
Football, Game Receipts 1919-1921
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 20
Retirement 1949 June 27-1949 December 15
Oversize legal box 9, Folder 21
American Cotton Manufactures Association 1906 August 21
Chamber of Commerce memos undated
Cost Finding [1 of 2] undated
Cost Finding [2 of 2] undated
Department of Agriculture 1916 May 27-1924 December 13
Department of Commerce 1911-1945 June 4
Expense Reports, including departmental costs for a mill
Production Reports undated
Superintendent Reports 1927 June 25-1927 August 6
Tariff Board 1911 April 29-1911 August 8
Tariff Commission [1 of 5] undated
Tariff Commission [2 of 5] undated
Tariff Commission [3 of 5] undated
Tariff Commission [4 of 5] undated
Tariff Commission [5 of 5] undated
Access to the collection
This 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 to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Thomas Nelson Papers, MC 00002,
Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Use of these materials
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
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 North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.