| Quantity: | 14 Boxes (4.50 cubic ft.) |
|---|---|
| Access: | Open to research |
| Acquisition: | Purchase; Paul C. Richards, dealer, November 1969 |
| Processed By: | Fred Bassett, Senior Librarian, Manuscripts and Special Collections, February 1990 |
George Atwood Slater was born September 2, 1867, in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Atwood and Julia E. (Scott) Slater. He attended local public schools and the Greenwich Academy, and then read law with a Greenwich law firm for five years. He was admitted to the state bar of Connecticut in 1888, and the bar of the state of New York in 1889. He attended Columbia Law School (1888-1890), and was one of 33 members of the class of 1890 who received their L.L.B. degrees in 1934, 44 years after graduation. He also was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from Syracuse University in 1922.
Slater maintained a law office in New York City beginning in 1889, and in 1891 opened a second office in Port Chester, Westchester County. After his marriage in 1891 to Eva Elizabeth Sours, he made Port Chester his home. Eventually he became involved in local politics and government, serving as town counsel (1900-1906) and a village trustee (1902-1908). In 1912 George Slater was elected to represent Westchester County in the New York State Assembly. While serving in the Assembly he made the first speech advocating giving women the right to vote. In 1914 and 1916, he was elected to represent Westchester County in the State Senate. In 1918, he was elected to the Surrogate Court, Westchester County, and subsequently re-elected in 1924, 1930, and 1936. He ran on the Republican Party ticket throughout his political career. He died on February 23, 1937, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and was buried in Rye, New York.
(Biographical notes based upon newspaper articles and other material found in the scrapbooks)
These papers consist chiefly of scrapbooks containing letters, invitations, newspaper clippings, printed speeches, and pamphlets relating to the life and career of George A. Slater. A large portion of the material is related to his election campaigns for the New York State Senate and later for the office of Surrogate Judge for Westchester County, New York. Also included are letters related to family and business matters; notes of praise for his stand on various political issues such as women's suffrage; and papers relating to Westchester County politics and government, such as the establishment of Westchester College. Correspondents include Alfred E. Smith, Herbert H. Lehman, and Charles S. Whitman.
Title information was taken primarily from the embossed titles that appear on the front board (cover) of most volumes, which were bound like a book.
| Box | Volume | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Letters to George A. Slater, Doctor of Civil Law, 1890-1927 - Contains notes of praise for his stance on various issues, especially women's suffrage; and letters recommending approval or disapproval of bills before the New York State Senate |
| 1 | 2 | Letters to Hon. George A. Slater, Doctor of Civil Law, 1915-1927 - Contains mostly letters regarding his first campaign for surrogate, 1918 |
| 1 | Letters to George A. Slater from J.M. [J. Mayhew] Wainwright, 1916-1932 (9 loose items in a folder) | |
| 2 | 2 | Letters to Honorable George A. Slater, Doctor of Civil Law, 1921-1929 - Concerning his re-election as surrogate, 1924; thank-you notes; invitations |
| 3 | 4 | Letters to Honorable George A. Slater, Doctor of Civil Law, 1930 and 1931 - Contains remarks on his address, "Avoidance of Litigation Regarding Wills," delivered before a meeting of the New York Bar Association, 1926; congratulatory notes upon re-nomination for surrogate, 1930 |
| 4 | 5 | Letters [to] Honorable George A. Slater, 1932-1933 - From family and friends discussing Westchester County politics and legal affairs; also notes on public appearances and speaking engagements |
| 5 | 6 | Letters to Hon. George A. Slater, 1933-1935 - Sequel to Volume 5 |
| 6 | 7 | Letters Regarding the Re-election of Judge Slater, [1930-1931] |
| 6 | 8 | Political Papers and Letters of Honorable George A. Slater, 1915-1922, Relating to Political Fight for Senatorship |
| 7 | 9 | Political Papers and Letters of Honorable George A. Slater, 1915-1922, Relating to State Military and Physical Training Law |
| 8 | 10 | Political Papers and Letters of Honorable George A. Slater, 1915-1922, Relating to Political Fight for Surrogate |
| 9 | 11 | Political Papers and Letters of Honorable George A. Slater, 1915-1922, Relating to Westchester County Water Supply |
| 9 | 12 | Political Papers and Letters of Honorable George A. Slater, 1915-1922, Relating to Presentation of Portrait to Westchester County – Newspapers clippings related to presentation of portrait of George Slater (oil painting) by the Westchester County Bar Association. |
| 10 | 13 | Corporate Fiduciaries and Legal Ethics and Correspondence with Relation Thereto, 1931 |
| 11 | 14 | History of the Founding of the College at Westchester County, Honorable George A. Slater, D.C.L., Surrogate of Westchester County, Founder, 1930 |
| 15 | [Spine title]: Addresses [i.e., Speeches] of Hon. George A. Slater, [1915?-1931]. [Title page]:Various Addresses of Honorable George A. Slater (2 copies) | |
| 12 | 16 | The Hills of Home: American Life Pictured of New England in the Last Half of the Nineteenth Century by Honorable George A. Slater, D.C.L., Surrogate of Westchester County, New York, with Letters (Port Chester, New York, 1930) – Includes printed copy of the 28 page publication The Hills of Home: American Life Pictured of New England in the Last Half of the Nineteenth Century (Port Chester, N.Y.: s.n., 1930) |
| 13 | 17 | Scrap Book of George A. Slater, 1907 – Contains newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera dating from 1878 to 1930 |
| 13 | 18 | Scrap Book, [ca. 1937] – Contains obituaries and other news clippings on the life and career of George A. Slater |
| 14 | 19 | Biographical Notes, Honorable George A. Slater, 1935-1936 – Contains personal memorabilia related to his life and career; and letters and telegrams of sympathy sent to Mrs. Slater upon his passing in 1937 |