Title: Nathan Washington Dougherty Papers

Date/Date Range :   1922-1972

Extent: 31.5 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection contains the personal papers and memorabilia, academic affairs records, organizational records, and athletic department records of Nathan Washington Dougherty, former professor of civil engineering at UT.

Call number: MS-1376

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection was donated to Special Collections in 1977.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Nathan Washington Dougherty Papers, MS-1376. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of 34 boxes.

Nathan Washington Dougherty was born on March 23, 1886, in Hales Mill, Virginia. He moved to Knox County, Tennessee, in 1898. Dougherty was married to Agnes Anna Monteith in 1913, and they had five children.

Dougherty received a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1909. He was captain of the UT football, basketball, and track teams during his senior year. He moved to Ithaca, New York, where he received a Master's in civil engineering in 1914. From 1915-1916, he was Assistant Professor at George Washington University.

He returned to his alma mater in 1916 where he taught until his retirement 40 years later. He first served as department head in civil engineering from 1916-1940, and then from 1940-1956 he was dean of the College of Engineering. He retired in September 1956 as Dean Emeritus.

Dougherty, the educator, emphasized scholarship and professionalism as his main objectives. As a member of the UT Faculty he was elected to Chi Epsilon, Pi Tau Sigma, and Eta Kappa Nu. He was Engineer of the Year of the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1958, and Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1958. In addition to these and many other honors, the Board of Trustees of UT named the largest engineering building "The Nathan W. Dougherty Engineering Hall."

Dougherty was also a consulting engineer. He served the Tennessee Highway Department (1923-1936), the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (1835), and ARO, Inc., after he retired in 1956. Dougherty was listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Engineering, and American Men of Science.

In addition to his teaching and consulting careers, Dougherty played an important role in the early development of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Southeastern Conference. He served as Tennessee's Faculty Representative in athletics for forty years, as pro-team Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, and as member and officer of the NCAA. In 1967, Dougherty was elected to the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. In 1970, he was on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Dougherty died in May 1977.

This collection is divided into four major divisions: Personal papers and memorabilia, Academic affairs, Organizations, and Athletics. The Personal papers and memorabilia files include bank books, travel and memo books, miscellaneous correspondence, and personal effects such as unfinished papers, photographs, and certificates from various organizations. The Academic affairs files include academic notes, lectures, speeches, and related correspondence. The Organizations files include correspondence and related materials concerning the various organizations Dougherty belonged to. The Athletic files include materials about intercollegiate athletics. At the end of this file is a miscellaneous division which includes miscellaneous project information, research publications, and reports.

A folder-level list of materials in this collection can be found in the Special Collections reading room.

See also MS-1379.

• Dougherty, Nathan Washington, 1886- .
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• American Society of Civil Engineers.
• National Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners.