William C. Miller, 1908-1987

William Charles Miller was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 3, 1908. He received his B.S. in 1931, his M.A. in 1932, and his Ph.D in 1947, all in speech from the University of Southern California.

His teaching career at the University of Nevada-Reno began in 1932 when he became a Fellow in the English Department. He received an appointment as instructor in 1934 and became an assistant professor in 1937 (to 1947). Between 1939-1940 and again in 1944-1945 he was a visiting instructor and director of dramatics at USC. He also served as Chairman of Speech in the Department of English at Auburn University in Alabama from 1947-1948. Miller returned to the University of Nevada in 1949 as associate professor, first in English, then after 1955 in the Department of Speech. He became a full professor in 1957, retiring as professor emeritus in 1973.

Miller's career in speech extended to an interest in the theater, both historic and contemporary. His Ph.D. dissertation centered on the history of the Comstock era theater in Virginia City, and he lectured extensively and published many articles on this theme. He was a founding member of the Reno Little Theater, acting in and producing many of their dramatic presentations. He also staged many theatrical presentations at UNR for Mackay Days and other special events.

While researching Nevada's early theaters, Miller became especially interested in Mark Twain's residency in Nevada Territory. Twain's brother Orion Clemens served as Secretary of the Territory from 1861-1864; he too interested Miller. It was while searching through manuscript repositories for items authored by Mark Twain in the Territorial Enterprise that Miller happened on the 1861 "Letters from Nevada Territory" by Robert J. Marsh, accounts of the early Nevada legislatures not extant in any other form. Miller, along with Russell W. McDonald and Ann Rollins, served as editor for the published version of these accounts (Letters From Nevada Territory, 1861-1862 [1971], and Reports of the 1863 Constitutional Convention of the Territory of Nevada [1972]).

Miller served as the first editor of the Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, from 1957 to 1961, an assignment which suited his special interests well. He also wrote articles for other publications, featuring Mark Twain and Nevada's early theater; in 1966 he co-authored an English textbook Fundamentals of English.

In addition to these activities Miller was a member of the Board of Review of the Nevada Employment Security Department (c.1956-59); member and secretary of the Nevada State Parks Commission (c.1953-56); and was a member of the Freemasons of Reno. He was married to Frances M. Campbell Miller; they had one daughter, Roxanna Miller Koenig. Miller died in Reno on March 8, 1987.

Scope and Content

The William C. Miller papers are contained in 5 cubic feet (5 records boxes plus 2 oversize boxes) and date from 1860-1976. The collection is divided into six subgroups based on Miller's special interests: University of Nevada-Reno, Professional, Personal, Historical Materials (collected by Miller), Theater, and Photographs. Each subgroup is further divided into series. The collection was donated in 1987 by Miller's executor Leslie B. Gray, and by Miller's daughter and son-in-law, Roxanna and Mark Koenig. There are no restrictions. Accompanying these papers was Miller's personal library; these books have been placed in either the Special Collection or General Library stacks.

Two subgroups, "Professional" and "Theater" contain the bulk of the collection. The series of the former reflects Miller's activities apart from UNR and the theater: his membership on the Board of Review and the State Parks Commission, his editorship of the N.H.S. Quarterly, and his writings on Nevada theater and Mark Twain. In particular there are many manuscripts and typescripts of early Nevada accounts; articles on particular aspects of the Virginia City theater such as "Shakespeare in the Comstock"; Orion Clemens' letters as Secretary of the Territory of Nevada; Miller's masters thesis "A Critical Analysis of Woodrow Wilson as a Public Speaker, 1910-1921"; and his dissertation, "An Historical Study of Theatrical Entertainment in Virginia City, Nevada or Bonanza and Borasca Theaters on the Comstock (1860-1875)". The bulk and the condition of the collection when received by Special Collections was such that parts of some manuscripts are intermingled with others; only when pages could be collated with certainty was an attempt made to do so by the staff. Also present are hundreds of pages of copies of California and Nevada newspapers used by Miller in his research. These have been left unarranged.

The "Theater" subgroup contains much material documenting twentieth century theater in Reno. Copies of many plays produced by the Reno Dramatic Club and its successor, the Reno Little Theater are present, along with clippings, a scrapbook, sheet music and playbills and programs. Of special note is the presence of the earliest known Nevada imprint, a pink silk poster for Topliffe's Theatre in Virginia City, 1862.

The "Historical Materials" subgroup represents miscellaneous items collected by Miller. Most are of minor importance with the exception of a minute book/account of stockholders of the Silver Star Mining District, 1860-63. The early history of this district, part of the eastern portion of the Comstock Lode, is well detailed in this book.

Processed by: Susan Searcy
Date: September 17, 1987

This collection is divided into the following subgroups:

I. University of Nevada-Reno

II. Professional

III. Personal

IV. Historical Materials

V. Theater

VI. Photographs

Subgroup I. University of Nevada-Reno, 1944-1976..

Included in this subgroup are correspondence (primarily regarding his promotion to Professor of Speech and Drama), speeches delivered, some curriculum materials, material related to contracts and personnel matters, papers written by students (all on the theater), newspaper clippings about his efforts to gain professorship, a program for an event produced by Miller, a certificate conferring emeritus status upon Miller, and Miller's hood and gown.*

Box 1

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

1-3 - I/1. Correspondence, 1955-1976.

4 - I/2. Speeches. 1958.

5 - I/3. Curriculum materials. 1944-52; n.d.

6 - I/4. Personnel, 1955-73.

7-8 - I/5. Student Papers. 1971, 1972.

9 - I/6. Clippings. ca.1957.

10 - I/7. Program. 1963.

11 - I/8. Emeritus certificate. 1973.

Subgroup II. Professional. ca 1860's-1974..

These materials relate to Miller's participation in the Board of Review for the Nevada Employment Security Department, the Nevada State Parks Commission, and as the first editor of the Nevada Historical Society Quarterly (1957). Also included are Miller's thesis "A Critical Analysis of Woodrow Wilson as a Public Speaker - 1910-1921"; his dissertation "An Historical Study of Theatrical Entertainment in Virginia City, Nevada or Bonanza and Borasca Theatres on the Comstock (1860-1875)"; published articles and books written by Miller; manuscripts by Miller and others; typescripts of early Nevada accounts; and many thermofax copies of early Nevada & California newspapers. Most materials are arranged chronologically within each series.

Box 1

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

12 - II/1. Board of Review, Nevada Employment Security Dept. 1956-59.

13-20 - II/2. Nevada State Parks Commission. 1953-56.

21-22 - II/3. Nevada State Historical Soceity Quarterly Editor, ca.1957-1962; n.d.

23-24 - II/4. Correspondence (general professional). 1945-1974; n.d.

25 - II/5. Newspaper clippings. 1951-1973.

26-40 - II/6. Manuscripts and publications. ca 1860's; ca 1932-1974 (originals of typescripts dating from 1860's).

Box 2

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

1-33 - II/6. Manuscripts and publications. ca 1860's; ca 1932-1974. (originals of typescripts dating from 1860's).

Box 3

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

1-10 - II/6. Manuscripts and publication. ca 1860's; ca 1932-1974. (original of typescripts dating from 1860's).

Subgroup III. Personal.

This subgroup is divided into the following series: correspondence (including that to and from Miller, his wife Frances M., daughter Roxanna Miller Koenig, and Frederick Dann); diplomas, certificates, and announcements; a speech given by Miller to the Washoe Republican Central Committee; fraternal organizations (Masons); and a cookbook (compiled by Miller's mother Sadie L. Miller).

Box 3

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

11-16 - III/1. Correspondence. 1901; 1937-1976; n.d. Arranged chronologically.

17-18 - III/2. Diplomas, certificates, announcements. 1926-1973.

19 - III/3. Speech before Washoe Republican Central Committee. Tape recording. n.d.

20-21 - III/4. Fraternal organizations (Freemasons). 1934-1957; n.d.

22 - III/5. Cookbook [Sadie L. Miller] ca 1921-1942.

Subgroup IV. Historical Materials. 1860-1950.

Historical materials collected by Miller, generally reflecting his professional and personal interests. Included are the Silver Star Mining District Minutes, 1860; Virginia & Truckee Railroad materials such as stock certificates, first day stamp covers, tax bill, and officers' oaths of allegiance; Merrimac Mill Company insurance policies; and miscellaneous pamphlets, etchings, speeches.

Box 3

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

11 - IV/1. Silver Star Mining District. Minutes/stock account. 1860-1863.

12-16 - IV/2. Virginia and Truckee Railroad. Tickets, stock certificates, first day stamp cover, officers oaths of allegiance, tax bill. 1866-1950.

17 - IV/3. Deed: P. Knightheart and A. Merkeley to T. Daily and T. Devlin. 1869.

18-19 - IV/4. Merrimac Mill Company Insurance policies. 1864.

20 - IV/5. Jumbo Copper Mountain Mining Company. Stock certificates. n.d.

21 - IV/6. Miscellaneous pamphlets: [Reno Dramatic Club], Program and menu. [ca 1900].
- "Jenny Lind Melodist, Containing the Sweedish [sic] Ballads, Melodies, & Operatic Gems". n.d. [ca 1860-70].
- "F.M. Keeler & Co. Druggists' Sundries." [Business card].
- Railroad Gazetter. Sept. 1899.

22 - IV/7. Correspondence between Ray Immel & Charles R. Kennedy. 1911.

23 - IV/8. Etchings [ca late 19th century].

24 - IV/9. Notes on "Nature of Laws" 1898.

25 - IV/10. Speech on elocution. n.d.

Subgroup V. Theater. ca 1862-1970's.

Contains material collected, written, utilized or referenced by Miller in his theatrical involvements (outside of his UNR activities), principally the Reno Little Theater. The bulk of this subgroup consists of plays produced by the Reno Little Theater or its predecessor the Reno Dramatic Club; also correspondence, playbills and programs (including a silk poster for Topliffe's Theatre, 1862, the earliest known Nevada imprint); constitution, bylaws, and a speech for the Reno Dramatic Club; reference books; clippings, scrapbook, and sheet music.

Box 3

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

26 - V/1. Correspondence. 1952; 1956.

27-29 - V/2. Playbills and programs. 1862-1960's.

30 - V/3. Reno Dramatic Club. Bylaws, constitution, speech. 1898; n.d.

31 - V/4. Clippings. ca 1947-1960's.

Box 4

Folder #(s) - Subseries #

1-6 - V/5. Reference books.
a. Church's Socialist Quarterly. "The Servant in the House". Jan. 1910. [Play].
b. "The Polish Jew" by Erckmann -Chatrian. 1896. [play]. Helmer's The Actor's Make up Book by N. Helmer. 1888. How to "Make-up" A Practical Guide for Amateurs etc. by Haresfoot & Rouge. 1877.
c. Talks by George Thatcher. 1899. Jokes gathered by Henry Firthwood. 1900.
d. Barber's American Book of Ready Made Speeches by Joseph Barber. 1871. Samuel French's Basic Catalog of Plays. 1962.
e. Directory of Members, American Educational Theatre Association. 1949.
f. "Gags for Comedians - Monolquists and Entertainers". 2 vols. no author, n.d.

7-8 - V/6. Research notes. n.d.

Box 4

Subseries V/7. Plays, listed by title.

9 "Nevada".

10 "The Ensign" & "Bertie".

11 No Title.

12 "Capt. Independence".

13 No Title.

14 "Silver King".

15 "Shadows of a Great City".

16 No Title.

17 "A Guilded Fool".

18 "A Guilded Fool".

19 "The Sea Queen".

20 "May Blossom".

21 Untitled: Recreation of Formation of Nevada Grand Lodge of Freemasons.

22 Misc. DeWitt's Plays.

23 Misc. French's Plays.

24 Misc. Plays, Dramatic Publishing Co.

25 Misc. Plays, Harold Roorbach Co.

26 Misc. Plays, Penn Publishing Co.

27 Misc. Plays, Dramatic Publishing Co.

28 Misc. Plays, Wm. A. Pond Co.

29 Misc. Plays, Misc. Publishers.

30 "Charlie's Aunt".

31 "Esmeralda".

32 "The Senator".

33 "The Senator".

34 "The Portrait".

Box 5

Subseries V/7. Plays, listed by title.

1 "The Psychoscope".

2 "The Psychoscope".

3 "The Psychoscope".

4 "The Psychoscope".

5 "His Wedding Morn".

6 "The Politician".

7 "Tip on the Derby".

8 "Are You A Mason".

9 "She Would Be A Widow".

10 "Capt. Impudence".

11 "The Teeth of the Gift Horse".

12 "The Ensign".

13 "The Nominee".

14 "The Black Flag".

15 "Limburger, Pretzels & Sauerkraut".

16 "The Danites".

17 "Thatcher & Johnson's Minstrel Show".

18 "The Teeth of the Gift Horse".

19 "The Rehearsal".

20 "Flat Next Door".

21 "How D'ye Like the Place?".

22 "J.H. Haverly's American European Minstrels".

23 "May Blossom".

24 (Fragment).

25 No Title.

26 Scrapbook Contents.

27 No Title.

Subseries V/8

28 Scrapbook.

29 Scrapbook.

Box 6 (Oversize)

Subseries V/9. Sheet Music.

Subgroup VII. Photographs.

Photos of scenes of Virginia City, Nevada, William C. Miller, and plays produced in Reno. Transferred to photo archives.

Manuscripts | Special Collections

Please direct questions to Jacquelyn Sundstrand
Updated June 23, 2008