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Joseph C. Wilson is a Rochester legend���Ĵ�ý�a brilliant industrialist who transformed a small photographic paper company into the Xerox Corporation. He was a highly civic-minded entrepreneur, too, embodying a compassion and a charisma that still ripples through the Rochester community.

Joe and his wife, Peggy, were champions of philanthropy. They gave generously to a broad range of causes and institutions, including the University of Rochester. By the time of Joe���Ĵ�ý�s death in 1971, the Wilsons had given more than $40 million to the University.

Today, the Wilson Foundation carries on Joe and Peggy���Ĵ�ý�s philanthropic vision, helping to address some of the region���Ĵ�ý�s most vexing challenges and improve the quality of life for many. Recently, the foundation made a $25,000 gift to the River Campus Libraries���Ĵ�ý� Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, making it possible to process and preserve Wilson���Ĵ�ý�s official papers and make a portion of them available online to students, historians, and others interested in business, philanthropy, and community service.

���Ĵ�ý�Joe Wilson���Ĵ�ý�s influence was so far-reaching,���Ĵ�ý� says Jessica Lacher-Feldman, assistant dean for Special Collections and Preservation and the Joseph N. Lambert and Harold B. Schleifer Director. ���Ĵ�ý�His personal history and legacy at the University, in Rochester, and beyond, are not documented well online���Ĵ�ý�this gift makes it possible to share his story and impact with a larger audience for research, teaching, and learning.���Ĵ�ý�

The , 1919-1977, consists of correspondence, minutes, reports, speeches, and clippings from his participation in numerous business and community organizations. The bulk of the collection is dated 1959-1971, which was a period of growth for Xerox, ���Ĵ�ý, and the City of Rochester.

Highlights of the collection include:

Throughout the collection, a variety of themes are covered, including development, endowment investment, and student protest; community matters such as low-income housing and racial tensions; and business topics such as philanthropy, venture capitalism, taxation, and the stock market.

 

To access the Joseph C. Wilson Papers, The online image gallery can be found at .

The Wilson���Ĵ�ý�s legacy inspired the Wilson Society, which honors those who have included the University of Rochester in their philanthropic planning. To learn more, visit Rochester.edu/giving/wilson-society.