James Franklin "Frank" Buchanan Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-854

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the papers of James Franklin "Frank" Buchanan from 1907-1991. The papers are divided into four sections: family papers, photographs, professional papers,and school papers. Materials heavily represented include correspondence, datebooks, genealogy notes, photographs school notes, work notes, and some World War II items (letters, photographs, and personal account).

Dates

1907 - 2009

Creator

Buchanan, James Franklin "Frank", 1908-1992 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Biographical Note

James Franklin "Frank" Buchanan was born to Richard Damascus Buchanan (1860-1927) and Texanna Whitten Buchanan (1870-1955) on 19 July 1908. He was a 1928 graduate of Tallahatchie County Agricultural High School and later graduated from Mississippi State College in 1932. He married Margaret Ray Buchanan (1915-1995), and the couple parented one daughter, Harriet Ann Buchanan Johnson (1947-2009). Over the course of his career, he served as a Mississippi Cooperative Extension Agent and was a World War II veteran. He also served as a church officer at Kosciusko First Presbuterian Church for 50 years, eventually taking the title of elder emertius. On 30 March 1992, Buchanan died of cancer at age 83 and was buried in Kosciusko City Cemetery.

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (3 record cartons, two oversized folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Sysytem of Arrangement

The collection is divided into four sections: family papers, professional papers, school papers, and photographs. The arrangment within each section reflects the papers with the perceived highest research value then by date. Expection given to the photographs section, which is arranged alphabetically by subject then by date. The he family papers are arranged with the correspondence first followed by genealogical materials and miscellaneous objects following. Professionaly papers include Buchanan's work notes, correspondence, and other miscellaneous materials. Finally, his school papers include his school correspondence, class notes, Margaret Ray Buchanan's school papers, and other miscellaneous materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was accessioned with the 2013-2 addition of the Hays-Ray-Webb Family Papers. When this collection was evaluated, it was found that a significant portion of the collection was made of of James Franklin "Frank" Buchanan's papers, which was separated into its own collection. These materials were donated to Mississippi State University Libraries in 2013 by Peyton Johnson and Maura Johnson.

Accruals

No further accruals expected.

Related Archival Materials

MSS 4 Hays-Ray-Webb Family Papers, Manuscripts Division, Special Collections Department, Mississippi State University Libraries.

Preservation Note

This collection was arranged in archival-quality folders and boxes. Newspaper clippings were photocopied onto acid-free paper and discarded. Photographs were interleaved with acid-free paper to prevent sticking. Any metal fasteners (e.g., staples and non-archival paperclicps) were removed and replaced with plastiklips or stainless steel paperclips. J. F. Buchanan's Extension Notebook contents were also removed from the original binder to prevent further stress on the bound papers and further rusting. The notebook was retained and arranged at the end of the collection. Materials from J. F. Buchanan's "Life History of James Franklin Buchanan" that were originally were taped inside but have since become undone were photocopied onto acid-free paper in their original state and then removed from the original layout. Any residual tape was removed from these objects. The objects were placed in archival folders and interleaved with acid-free paper.

Processing Note

This collection was processed in Fall 2020 by Carrie P. Mastley, Manuscripts Librarian. This collection was originally accessioned with the 2013-2 accession of the Hays-Ray-Webb Family Papers. Upon further inspection, the processor for this collection decided that Buchanan's materials made up a significant portion of the 2013-2 accession. The decision was then made to separate the Buchanan materials into their own collection.