Aaron S. Crawford Historical Research Collection
The Aaron S. Crawford Historical Research Collection consists of nearly 1,000 books relating to American history and literature. The collection covers American presidential history, judiciary, slavery, and the Early Republic, along with a significant collection of academic-level literature.
Throughout his life, Dr. Crawford expertly and carefully curated his extensive book collection, which was donated to both the Vise University Library and the Papers of Martin Van Buren as a remarkable historical resource for Cumberland University. Dr. Crawford was a respected historian, best remembered for his bibliographic memory and lifelong love of learning. He received his B.A. at King College, his M.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
He served as an Associate Editor at the Correspondence of James K. Polk, Assistant Editor at the Papers of Andrew Jackson. Associate Editor at the Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, and an Associate Editor at the Papers of Martin Van Buren at Cumberland University at the time of his death. He was also a Fellow at The Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University.