The collection is arranged by types of material. The correspondence, diaries and journals are arranged chronologically.

Series 1, Personal Papers

Sub-series 1, Correspondence

Sub-series 2, Diaries, 1904-1937

Sub-series 3, Personal files

Sub-series 4, Scrapbook

Series 2, Furman University Committee on Honorary Degrees, 1926-1938

The collection contains material relating to Dr. Sidney Earnest Bradshaw’s teaching career and travel, including correspondence, diaries, personal files, a scrapbook, and material from Furman’s Committee on Honorary Degrees.

The majority of correspondence are carbon copies of letters to friends, some with Bradshaw relating news of Furman University, such as the merger with Greenville Woman’s College and the death of President McGlothlin.  The fifty-one diaries record daily activities as well as Bradshaw’s travel abroad. Some of the diaries record what appear to be stocks and prices.

The majority of the personal files include ephemera. There is information on Bradshaw’s collection of Edwin David French bookplates that he bequeathed to the Greenville Library, as well as a published copy of his will. Bradshaw’s will indicates he was very generous to family and friends, and to Furman University, bequeathing $100,000 towards building a new library.

The scrapbook contains material from Bradshaw’s student days at Bethel College and continues through his teaching at the college. Included are newspaper clippings, invitations and programs.  

Bradshaw served as chairman of Furman University’s Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees, and his papers include correspondence from individuals suggesting possible recipients and Bradshaw’s response, as well as the committee’s recommendation to the Board of Trustees.