Missouri State University Libraries

Dr. Virginia Craig Collection

Collection Number: M020
Volume: 1.5 cubic feet
Dates: 1878-1976

Provenance

The collection was acquired prior to the formation of the department in 1997. It was processed in 2007 by Bonnie Turner.

Copyright

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States ( Tile 17, United States Code).

Access

The collection is unrestricted. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be obtained from the Department of Special Collection and Archives. Citations should be as follows: Identification of the item, box and folder number, Craig Collection [M 20], Department of Special Collections and Archives, Missouri State University.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Dr. Virginia Judith Craig was born in Maryville, Missouri, on January 14, 1878, to Silar and Annie Maria Craig. She was one of 14 original faculty members of the Southwest Missouri State (State Normal School #4) in 1906, teaching literature and Latin in the summer term.

Dr. Craig was Professor of English, 1906-1952; Head of Department of English and Speech, 1906-1946; Forensics Coach, 1906-1952; club sponsor of Normal Debating Club and Bentonian Literary Society (which later became Carrington Literary Society.) Dr. Craig is also credited with writing the first school song and first marching song.

Dr. Craig’s credentials include: B.A., Drury College (1901); M.A., Washington University (1904); Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania (1906); Litt. D., Drury College (1937). Dr. Craig is also the nationally recognized author of the book The Teaching of High School English, in 1930.

In 1967, Departments of Speech and Theatre, English, and Foreign Language moved into their new building, which was named Craig Hall in honor of Dr. Virginia Craig, professor of English and debate coach who retired in 1952 after 46 years of service to the college.

Dr. Craig’s civic and community interests include AAUW, Springfield BPW Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, and First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, Springfield.

Sources

Landon, Donald D. Daring to Excel: [1905-2005] The First 100 Years of Southwest Missouri State University. Walsworth Publishing Company, 2004.

Ellis, Dr. Roy. Shrine of the Ozarks: A History of Southwest Missouri State College, 1906-1965. Southwest Missouri State College, 1968.

Scope and Content

Box 1 contains two academic graduate hoods; pillow cover; one daguerreotype.

Box 2 contains assorted friend, family, University photos from throughout her lifetime; newspaper clippings; one book, Teaching High School English; assorted plagues/commendations; Drury diploma; correspondence, personal mementos.

Oversized items placed in Map Case 2, Drawer 8 includes: three diplomas, two oversized photos, and one oil painting.

Container List

Box 1	1	Assorted News Clippings, 1931(?) - 1975
	2	Award Certificates
		a. Women of Achievement Awards program booklet (Second Annual), 1963
		b. “Merit Award” for Faithful Membership Service, Springfield BPW Club, February 27, 1969.
		c. “Award of Appreciation: from Southwest Missouri State College Alumni Association, October 22, 1965
		d. “Delta Kappa Gamma Society” Certificate of Initiation, May 8, 1948, by Epsilon Chapter.
		e. “Certificate of Recognition” from First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Missouri, Associate in Christian Education, January 6th, 1958.
	3	Family Photos: includes self, siblings, parents, home, and church (19 total), n.d.
	4	Assorted Photos: includes student and University photos, most w/o dates or description (16 total)
	5	Name cards for “Miss Virginia Judith Craig”; rubber-stamp “Virginia J. Craig.”
	6	Correspondence: assorted, 1930-1977
	7	Plague from Drury College/Ozark 33, n.d.
	8	Drury College diploma of “Litter arum Doctor,” May 31, 1937
	9	Martial’s Wit and Humor, Thesis by Virginia Judith Craig, c1912
	10	Pages from My Lifebook 1946 by Hiram A. Brooks, Sr., 330 West Locust Street, Springfield, Mo. (personal recollection/diary manuscript), 1946
	11	Address of Honorable Marion T. Bennett at the official opening of the Virginia J. Craig Hall, October 20, 1968
	12	Bentonian Record Book, SY 1908-1909 thru 1915-1916. (Includes honorary member lists.)
	13	The Teaching of High School English by Virginia J. Craig, Ph.D., 1930
	14	Plague: Virginia Craig Annual Tournament-SMSU, January 1976
Box 2	1	Two graduate hoods
	2	One pillow cover: side one—Springfield, side two—STC, made of maroon/cream felt, n.d.
	3	One daguerreotype, mother of Dr. Virginia Judith Craig, n.d.
Oversized Items		(Map Case 2, Drawer 8)
Folder 1	1	Photograph of a large white “plantation” home. On photo back, “Sister Annie from Carry – Virginia’s grandfather’s place – father’s father,” n.d.
	2	Photograph of H.S. Class of 1896. Dr. Virginia Craig is pictured, Row 1, #5. (Ellen Craig, sister to Dr. Virginia Craig, is also pictured, Row 1, #1), 1896
	3	Diploma: Drury College (B.A.), 1901
	4	Diploma: University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D.), 1906
	5	Diploma: Washington University (M.A.), 1904
	6	Oil Painting of Dr. Virginia Judith Craig (11x17), n.d.
Special Note		Removed from the collection and placed in Rare Books: Galley proofs (manuscripts) from Random House Publishing Company
		--Dunbar, Flanders, Dr. Mind and Body: Psychosomatic Medicine. Random House, [c1948].
		--Isherwood, Christopher. The Cows and the Condors. Random House, [c1947].
		--Ward, Greene. Star Reporter[s]. [Star Reporters and 34 of Their Greatest Stories.] Random House, [c1948].
		*Also removed from the collection and placed in Rare Books is the following book:
		Wise, C. M., ed. Missouri Plays. Missouri Drama Publishing Co.: Journal Press. Kirksville, Missouri, c1909.