By Kathleen Corcella
Alumni papers can contain a wide variety of materials that can shed light on the history of the University and how people lived in the past. Recently, the University Archives has been working on one particular alumni collection, the Russell A. Cone Papers, 1899-2020 (Record Series 26/20/239).
Col. Russell A. Cone ’27 was an active member of the University, participating in the ROTC and Greek life. He served in World War II and was stationed in Alaska. His papers contain newspaper clippings, correspondence, service medals, certificates, publications, programs, and scrapbooks. Since these are personal records, there are also materials related to his first wife, Helen Bess Finch Cone. Helen also attended the University of Illinois and is found in the photographs and the many letters she exchanged with Russell. These materials were donated and preserved with the hope that students, faculty, and the public will be able to learn more about two incredible alums of the University of Illinois.
Claire Robertson has kindly provided biographies for Col. Russell A. Cone and Helen Bess Finch Cone (see below). Special thanks to Claire for her contributions and insights to the collection.
If you are interested in learning more about the collection, or would like to arrange an appointment to view the items, please email us at illiarch@illinois.edu.