Charles Daniel Drake Papers
Collection-level Scope and Content Note
The Charles Daniel Drake Papers consist of scrapbooks containing articles about the early portion of Drake's political career and some of his literary writings. The collection is contained in 2 boxes (2.25 linear feet). The first scrapbook focuses on the political climate of the day during the early part of Drake's political career. Much coverage is given to the activities of the Whig party in and around St. Louis, Missouri. Of note are articles about the elections of 1840 and 1848 and published correspondence between Drake and St. Louis governing bodies, such as the board of delegates, the board of aldermen, and the city council. The scrapbook follows Drake's career from St. Louis to Cincinnati and back to St. Louis. The second scrapbook contains literary articles and poems written by Drake. Rounding out the collection are documents, mostly newspaper articles about politics, not bound in scrapbooks. The collection is contained in 2 archival boxes (2.25 linear feet).
Dates
- Creation: 1828 - 1860
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1830 - 1849
Collection-level Access Restrictions
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Biographical note
Charles Daniel Drake (1811-1892) was born on April 11, 1811, to Dr. Daniel Drake and Harriet Sisson. He received literary training in his home and attended schools in Kentucky and Cincinnati. In 1827, he entered the naval academy, but resigned in 1830 to study law. In 1834, Drake settled in St. Louis and began to practice law. He moved to Cincinnati for a time, but he returned to St. Louis in 1850. Active in St. Louis politics, he often changed parties and was, in turn, a Whig, a Know-Nothing, and a Democrat. In 1859, Drake was elected as a Democrat to fill a vacancy in the state legislature. In 1860, he supported Douglas for president. During the Civil War, Drake was a leader of the radical wing of the Unionist party in Missouri. The new state constitution in Missouri came to be known as the "Drake constitution" for his role in it. In 1867, Drake was elected U.S. Senator. In the Senate he was one of the Radical Republicans. In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Drake as chief justice of the United States Court of Claims. Drake served in that post until retiring in 1885. Charles Daniel Drake died April 1, 1892. [Source: "Dictionary of American Biography." New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1920.]
Extent
2.25 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Charles Daniel Drake Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Scott S. Taylor. Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu