Writings,, 1859-1924 and undated

Summary: Includes original hand-written manuscripts, as well as typed and/or published versions.

Essays and writing fragments by Washington A. Roebling. Includes some early notes on iron, the manuscript of "The Transmission of power by wire ropes" [1869] and Washington A.'s 1873 book, "Pneumatic foundations of the East River Suspension bridge". The majority of later writings are personal remembrances of his father, John A. Roebling and early life in Saxonburg, with glimpses of his Civil War experiences and memories ofbridge projects. The series also includes memorial essays for his brothers Ferdinand W. and Charles G. Roebling.

The two versions of Washington Roebling's biography of his father, John A. Roebling, in this series are essentially the same work with slight variations. The hand-written manuscript, presumably the earlier version, is entitled, Biography of John A. Roebling / written by Washington A. Roebling in 189 3-4 & 1907. The second and probably later version, which is type-script with hand-written corrections and additions by Washington A., is entitled more completely, Life of John A. Roebling, C. E. / by his eldest son Washington A. Roebling; together with some personal recollections of the latter, written partly in 1897 and in 1907.

Approximately half of this biography was completed before the end of 1894. Washington Roebling then picked it up again briefly in 1897, apparently abandoning it again until finally finishing around 1907. The latter part of the biography, in contrast to the earlier part, contains increasingly longer descriptions of Washington Roebling's personal experience, including lengthy accounts of Civil War events and accounts of the building of the Brooklyn bridge.

Washington Roebling appended several additional printed works to the latter manuscript: including an original copy of, The great central railroad, from Philadelphia to St. Louis / by John A Roebling, C. E.; read before the Pittsburg [sic] "Board of Trade". (p. [1]-13) (1847 added in pencil over title), inserted at p. 57; and, "Copy of article in "London engineering", October 18, 1867" an introduction to the article which follows : "Mr. John A. Roebling" (18 October 1867) at p. 285-292. The manuscript also includes a "Copy of 'Preliminary introduction' to John A. Roebling 's work on long and short span R. R. Bridges" / written by W. A. Roebling, 1869, at p. 281-284. There is another manuscript and type-script copy of the "Preliminary introduction", created circa 1898, in this series.

The other historical manuscript in the series is, "Some reminiscences about the early history of the village of Saxonburg in Butler Co., Pennsylvania, oldest son of John A. Roebling" written by the request of the Butler County, PA, Historical association." Again, there are two versions of this work, one hand-written and one in type-script form. The errata sheet attached to the type-script manuscript refers to the printed booklet, Early history of Saxonburg, of which there is also a copy in this collection. All are circa 1924.

Finally, the series includes three reactions to news articles: a brief, two-page comment entitled "History of this famous steel peacock," on a news article dated July 1912; and a comment on "[t]he false statement about my late brother Charles being one of the engineers on the Brooklyn Bridge ... " reacting to articles published after Charles' death in 1918. And lastly, an undated, brief, one-sentence tribute probably dedicated to his father: "When I think back on the great work. .. ".

Includes oversize items stored separately.