This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Size | 1.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 500 items) |
Abstract | James Alexander Gray (1889-1952), was a white businessman and philanthropist of Winston-Salem, N.C. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1908, he served in various capacities with the Wachovia National Bank and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, eventually becoming a high-level executive. He was also a member of the North Carolina Senate for two terms, 1917-1920. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, speeches, scrapbooks, family history writings, and printed items relating to James Alexander Gray. Many items concern the endowment fund Gray established for the benefit of eleven North Carolina colleges and universities, but there are also materials relating to Gray's professional and legislative activities and to the Gray family, including some about R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company president and chair Bowman Gray. |
Creator | Gray, James Alexander, 1889-1952. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: SHC Staff
Encoded by: Benjamin Bromley, December 2008
Revisions by: Nancy Kaiser, February and August 2019
Since August 2017, we have added ethnic and racial identities for individuals and families represented in collections. To determine identity, we rely on self-identification; other information supplied to the repository by collection creators or sources; public records, press accounts, and secondary sources; and contextual information in the collection materials. Omissions of ethnic and racial identities in finding aids created or updated after August 2017 are an indication of insufficient information to make an educated guess or an individual's preference for identity information to be excluded from description. When we have misidentified, please let us know at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.
Back to TopThe following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
James Alexander Gray (1889-1952) was a white businessman and philanthropist of Winston-Salem, N.C. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1908, he served in various capacities with Wachovia National Bank and R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, eventually becoming a high-level executive. He was also a member of the North Carolina Senate for two terms, 1917-1920.
Back to TopThe collection contains correspondence, photographs, speeches, scrapbooks, family history writings, and printed items relating to James Alexander Gray. Many items concern the endowment fund Gray established for the benefit of eleven North Carolina colleges and universities, but there are also materials relating to Gray's professional and legislative activities and to the Gray family, including some about R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company president and chair Bowman Gray. One of the scrapbooks documents Gray family history, as well as life in and around Winston-Salem, N.C. during the early 20th century, restoration of Old Salem, the University of North Carolina, and formerly enslaved persons living in and around Winston-Salem.
Back to TopFolder 1A |
Original finding aid |
Folder 1-2
Folder 1Folder 2 |
Wake Forest Medical SchoolPhotographs, correspondence, and documents relating to the opening of the Bowman Gray Medical School and the James A. Gray Memorial Building at Wake Forest University. |
Folder 3-4
Folder 3Folder 4 |
North Carolina State SenateSpeeches and other materials related to James Alexander Gray's service in the North Carolina State Senate, 1917-1920. |
Folder 5-6
Folder 5Folder 6 |
HonorsHonors given to James Alexander Gray, primarily during his terms on the boards of R. J. Reynolds and Wachovia National Bank. |
Folder 7-10
Folder 7Folder 8Folder 9Folder 10 |
Endowment giftsLetters, newspaper clippings, and other materials about the endowment gifts James Alexander Gray gave to eleven North Carolina colleges and universities. |
Folder 11-13
Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13 |
Gray familyInformation regarding the Gray family, including family history and specific information about Bowman Gray. |
Folder 14 |
Roaring Gap Baby HospitalLetter and clippings about James Alexander Gray's gift to the Roaring Gap Baby Hospital. |
Folder 15 |
BookletsTwo booklets, one in memory of James Alexander Gray, and one about his endowment of Bible lectures at the University of North Carolina. |
Folder 16-18
Folder 16Folder 17Folder 18 |
James Alexander Gray funeralLetters and clippings about James Alexander Gray's death, funeral, and legacy. |
Folder 19-20
Folder 19Folder 20 |
TributesTributes to James Alexander Gray, mostly in newspapers and magazines. |
Folder 21 |
Varsity letterJames Alexander Gray's varsity letter from his time as manager of the 1908 University of North Carolina football team. |
Folder 22 |
Assorted newspaper clippings about James Alexander Gray |
Folder 23 |
Family historyAcquisitions Information: Accession 103653 Includes written memories of James A. and Pauline B. Gray by their children, 1991; "Notes concerning James A. Gray Sr., his children, and grandchildren (mainly as recollected by James A. Gray and given to his son, Howard), 1950; and a copy photograph of the sons of Robert Gray and his wife, Mary Millis Wiley. |
Image Folder P-4441/1 |
Photographs of James Alexander Gray and his family |
Oversize Image Folder OP-P-4441/1 |
James Alexander Gray photographsPhotographs of James Alexander Gray, both as a youth and during his time in the North Carolina senate. |
Oversize Volume SV-4441/1 |
Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings about James Alexander Gray's death and legacy |
Oversize Volume SV-4441/2 |
Scrapbook, 1930s-1940sAcquisitions Information: Accession 103540 Clippings with some original papers and photographs, covering Gray family history, life in and around Winston-Salem, N.C. during the early 20th century, restoration of Old Salem, and some material about the University of North Carolina. Also included are some clippings about formerly enslaved persons living in and around Winston-Salem. |