Discovering William Cook: Ten Resources for Reconstructing the Life of a Lawyer

Margaret A. Leary, University of Michigan Law Library

Abstract

Revised version of winning paper in 2007 Open Division competition.

Ms. Leary uses a case study to describe ten categories of resources for reconstructing a Manhattan lawyer’s life. These resources answer questions about his law practice, scholarship, personal life, personality, values, and philanthropy. The case study uses today’s resources to look far back into the details of the life of William W. Cook, who gave his fortune to the University of Michigan Law School.