This folder contains correspondence and other documents concerning Edison's life story, his response to erroneous newspaper reports about him, his opinions regarding a variety of subjects, and numerous other matters. The letters consist primarily of unsolicited inquiries, but there are also several exchanges with friends and business associates of Edison, as well as letters pertaining to clubs, societies, special events, gifts, and visits with Edison. Among the correspondents for 1914 are statistician Roger W. Babson, inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr., longtime Edison associate Paul John Kruesi, and Lindsay Russell, president of the Japan Society in New York. Two letters from H.C. Hooker, assistant to the president of the Erie Railroad Co., pertain to a globe given to Edison by Samuel Hill.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected, including all documents bearing substantive marginalia by Edison. The following categories of documents have not been selected: unsolicited requests for donations, employment opportunities, and interviews; routine requests for biographical and other information, including Edison's advice and opinion. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.