George William Watt papers

The George W. Watt Papers consist of nine linear feet of correspondence, writings, and notes related to Watt's research on Wilson and other historical subjects.

Series I, CORRESPONDENCE, spans the years ca. 1930-1954. It consists mainly of Watt's requests for information about Wilson. He addressed his inquiries to authors and publishers of books and articles about Wilson, to members of the Wilson administration, to people who had known Wilson or members of his family, to historical societies and libraries, and to churches and colleges that Wilson or one of his ancestors attended. The papers include replies to little more than half of these letters, and many are brief and uninformative. There are, however, a few letters from historically important correspondents that offer significant information or opinion, and many others contain some biographical data about Wilson. Watt also wrote to a number of college and university presidents asking their opinion of Wilson's presidency at Princeton, and he received several brief replies.

The other principal subject of Watt's correspondence is Theodore Roosevelt. He wrote a number of letters asking whether Roosevelt took part in the fighting on San Juan Hill and whether he knew, some years before the outbreak of World War I, of Germany's plan to invade Belgium. Several Rough Riders confirmed that Roosevelt participated fully in the battle, but no one confirmed his foreknowledge of Germany's military plans.

Series II, WRITINGS, contains two drafts of Watt's book-length manuscript on Woodrow Wilson, drafts of writings on the Wilson era and other topics, and notes for the Wilson manuscript.

Series III, NOTES, is comprised of reading notes on books related to the Wilson era, research notes on several twentieth-century figures, and annotated magazine and newspaper clippings.