This series consists primarily of the general and subject correspondence of Robert C. Edwards. Also contained in the series are reference materials used in the administration of the office of President. The bulk of files falls into the following categories:

1. Administrative staff members files: These records relate to administrative staff members who ended their service to Clemson College during the late 1950s or early 1960s. Depending upon a staff member's length of service, most folders have these items in common: employment agreements, letters, biographical information from vitae, and lists of publications. The file folders are arranged alphabetically by surname.

2. Harvey Gantt files (1961-1963): These records document the admission of Harvey Bernard Gantt, the first Black student to enroll at Clemson College. The files contain correspondence; letters of support and criticism about the admission; legal documents, for example, depositions, injunctions, writs, and transcriptions of court proceedings; newspaper clippings and other articles about the admission that appeared in magazines and periodicals.

3. Hartwell Lake and Dam files (1947-1963): These records document the construction of the Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River and the ensuing controversy about the inundation of lands that belonged to Clemson College. The materials include a chronology of the construction, legal materials used in court proceedings that prevented the flooding of Clemson land, minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees, maps of various Clemson lands affected by the Seneca River diversion project, and aerial photographs of the lands that were flooded.

4. Honorary degrees files: These records contain information about the recipients of honorary degrees and other special degrees that were awarded by Clemson University. Most of the folders contain biographical information about the recipient of the degree, a copy of the citation read at the commencement ceremony, correspondence, and photographs of the recipient.

5. South Carolina files. These records deal with issues common to Clemson College and the state of South Carolina. Represented within the correspondence are most agencies of state government, for example the Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Topics include agriculture, economic development, education, forestry, legislation, and textiles.

In addition to these records, the series contains files that document the development of Clemson College and its achievement of university status in 1964. Included are files on admissions and registration and the construction of buildings financed by the Olin and Sirrine Foundations.