James Benson Sellers Papers
Scope and Contents
The James Benson Sellers collection consists primarily of the research data Sellers, a noted Alabama historian and teacher, accumulated in order to write his books and articles. Research topics include Alabama history, slavery, First Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, history of the University of Alabama, and history of Wilcox County, Alabama.
The research correspondence (1940-1965) deals with the acquisition of these materials (see Notable Correspondants in print finding aid). The research material consists of student papers, newspaper and journal articles, scattered minutes of the various organizations with which he dealt and some census records. The collection also has copies of some published articles written by Sellers and the Ralph Brown Draughon Library has copies of some of his books.
Dates
- 1820 - 1964
Creator
- Sellers, James Benson, 1889-1964 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
James Benson Sellers was born February 17, 1889, in Wilcox County, Alabama, to parents Calvin Cook Sellers IV and Martha Ellen Vaughn Sellers. In 1914 he earned a B.A. from Troy State. From 1914-1915 he attended the University of Alabama Medical School. During World War I he served with the United States Army in France as a medic.
Following his return, Sellers earned an M.A. in History at the University in Alabama, another M.A. in History from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of North Carolina.
Following a series of positions in public schools and Alabama colleges, he became a full professor at the University of Alabama in 1943, and remained there until his retirement in 1959. He authored numerous publications, including Ebenezer Hearn, Founder of the First Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (1961?), History of the University of Alabama Vol. 1 (1953), The Prohibition Movement in Alabama, 1702-1943 (1943), and Slavery in Alabama (1950, second edition 1963).
Sellers married Carrie Autrey Sellers, and they had a daughter, Dorothy Ann (Sellers) Owsley. He died December 30, 1964, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Extent
7.25 Cubic Feet (7 record center boxes, 1 half-width letter-length document box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This finding aid is organized by accessions. Each accession represents an addition to the collection. Each accession also represents a transfer of physical and legal custody of archival materials from the donor(s) to Auburn University Special Collections and Archives.
The original accession is arranged topically to correspond with the subjects of Sellers' books and articles, though not all of the books he wrote are represented in the collection.
Other Finding Aids
A typed list of 'Notable Correspondants' is available in the print finding aid in Auburn Special Collections and Archives reading room.
Separated Materials
The James Asbury Tait Collection, Record Group #345, was separated from this collection 4-18-75. Both collections deal with Wilcox County.
Separated Postcards Filed in Postcard Collection
27 postcards were separated and filed in the Postcard Collection RG 759 c-26, 23 March 1976:
Separated Books filed in Special Collections 6 April 1976
Separated Books filed in General Book Collection 7 April, 1976
[Typescript or xerox copy, unless otherwise noted] [54 Volumes separated]
Separated Pamphlets Filed in General Pamphlet Collection, 6 April 1976
Separated Photogographs filed in Numbered photographs collection, 4/30/76
Separated Newspapers Filed in Misc. Alabama Newspapers, 1-4-1978
Separated Pamphlets filed in Pamphlet Collection, Jan. 18, 1978
Separated microfilm reels
4 positive reels of Microfilm, transfered 12/1/89 to Microforms and Documents (MADD):
Processing Information
Original accession processed by DH on April 30, 1976.
Addendum to original accession processed by BFS 11-18-1977.
Accession 95-158 processed by Dixie Dysart, 12-18-95.
Accession 96-69 processed by Paul Martin, 9-17-1996.
Separated materials listed by Bill Sumners 1-4-1978, unknown Jan. 18. 1978, Deborah A. Hay March 23, 1976, Deborah A. Hay 7 April 1976, Deborah A. Hay 4/30/76, Beverly Watkins and Howard Rew 4-18-75.
Legacy finding aids added to ArchivesSpace by Elizabeth Bates, July 24, 2020 and February 22, 2022.
- African Americans -- History -- 1863-1877
- African Americans -- History -- To 1863
- Alabama -- History -- 1819-1950
- Alabama -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Alabama -- Politics and government
- Alabama -- Social life and customs
- Camden (Ala.)
- Education, Higher
- Historians
- History -- Study and teaching
- History teachers
- Methodist Church
- Plantations -- Alabama
- Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) -- Alabama
- Slaveholders
- Slavery
- Wilcox County (Ala.)
- Title
- Guide to the James Benson Sellers Papers
- Subtitle
- Record Group 362
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Auburn University Special Collections and Archives Repository
Auburn University
Ralph Brown Draughon Library
231 Mell Street
Auburn Alabama 36849
334-844-1732
archives@auburn.edu
