Wayland Dean Towner Papers

Collection

Identifier: SpC MS 0505

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains 19 volumes compiled by Wayland Towner documenting his life history from his years as a student at the University of Maine until his retirement in 1961 from a long career in public relations and fund raising. It includes letters, photographs, publications and other documents with Towner's candid narrative of events represented. Of particular interest are Towner's letters to his parents while he was serving in Scotland and France during World War I.

Dates

Creation: 1910-1971

Creator

Towner, Wayland Dean, 1892-1977 (Person)

Access Restrictions

Kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice required for retrieval.

Use Restrictions

Information on literary rights available in the repository.

Biographical Note

Wayland Dean Towner, the son of Edward E. and Caroline B. Brown Towner, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, Jan. 9, 1892. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1914 with a degree in forestry. During World War I he served as a forest engineer with the New England Sawmill Units in Scotland and with the 20th U.S. Engineers in France. After the war, he became the first full-time secretary of the university's alumni office before embarking on a career in public relations and fund raising. He held positions with the American Red Cross and the Fiscal Services Corp. in Boston, the American Social Hygiene Association in New York and New Jersey, and spent many years working for the Community Chests in San Antonio and other Texas locations. After World War II Towner was director of American activities at United China Relief in New York City before becoming vice president of Trinity University in San Antonio. His later years were spent working in direct sales in Austin, New Orleans and San Antonio. Towner retired in 1961 and died Aug. 20, 1977.