William F. Pearson Papers, 1866, 1900-1947, 2012

Papers of Colonel William Frederick Pearson (1880-1957), US Army, Commandant of the University of Illinois School of Military Aeronautics (1917-1918). Contains identification cards; a personal military history (1902-1947); the Ohio Wesleyan University Student's Handbook (1900-1901); the June 1920 issue of L'Aeronautica; and a School of Military Aeronautics photo album, including photos of classes on military and avionic equipment, artillery, and procedures.

This series also contains a photocopy of Commodore Joseph Lanman's letter to Stephen W. Rhoades, dated July 24, 1866, instructing Officer Rhoades on the oversight of military operations in the vicinity of Port Royal, S.C. (original letter can be found here).