Robert H. Neilson Papers

The papers document Robert Neilson's relationship with Rutgers University, both as an alumnus and later as a member of the Board of Trustees, a position which he held for four years until his death in 1940. In the latter capacity, he served on three committees: finance, honorary degrees, and the New Jersey College for Women. The records consist primarily of correspondence, minutes and memoranda; they also include other documents such as wills and Neilson's literary contributions to the Rutgers Alumni Monthly. The files were originally created while Neilson was attached to Cravath, and at some point were transferred to his own firm, They were received at Rutgers shortly after his death.

The papers have been divided into two series: I. Board of Trustees and II. Alumnus Activities. The first series is divided by Committee (Finance, Honorary degrees, New Jersey College for Women); there is also a folder on general Trustee matters. The second series consists of records pertaining to the Alumni Association, Class of 1903 and the Rutgers Luncheon Club. The series is an amalgamation of Neilson's categories of "Class of 1903" and "Rutgers University," which were often unclear distinctions. There is therefore so me overlap of materials.

The collection provides useful information on the financial problems which Rutgers was undergoing in the first part of this century -- one reason for the proposal of for state funding -- and on its dependence upon alumni contributions, bequests and financial support for maintenance. There is also correspondence in which Neilson discusses the proposal by the Trustees to dissassociate Rutgers Preparatory School from the university and the conditions under which this could take place.