Robert E. Harrill Papers
1923-1993, 2001, undated
Manuscript Collection #428- Creator(s)
- Harrill, Robert E., 1893-1972
- Physical description
- 1.0 Cubic Feet, 0.00419 Gigabytes, 2 document cases, consisting of business and personal correspondence, financial papers, photographs, and miscellaneous materials.
- Preferred Citation
- Robert E. Harrill Papers (#428), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
- Repository
- ECU Manuscript Collection
- Access
- This collection is open for research. Use of original audiovisual media and digital files are unavailable for use. Digital access copies may be made available through our Digital Collections repository, but are not available for immediate or same-day access. Please contact Special Collections to request access. Requests may take up to five business days to fill.
Papers (1923-1993, 2001, undated) including correspondence, writings, newspaper clippings, photographs, and pamphlets related to the life of Robert Edward Harrill (1893-1972), known as the Fort Fisher Hermit from about 1955 when he moved into an abandoned World War II bunker at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, until his death.
Biographical/historical information
Robert E. Harrill (1893-1972), a native of South Carolina, worked for many years as a linotype operator and jeweler in Shelby, N.C. Possibly influenced by the Taylor School of Bio-Psychology, Harrill about 1955 moved to Fort Fisher, N.C., where he lived in an abandoned World War II bunker until his death.
Written February 2024
Scope and arrangement
For further information concerning the Fort Fisher Hermit, see newspaper clippings and biographical material in this collection. Although the Hermit's family name is legally spelled "Harrill," he adopted the spelling "Harrell" for much of his correspondence.
Correspondence of Robert E. Harrill (1933-1973, undated) comprises the bulk of the collection. His letters, primarily to his sister, Mae, and his son, George, discuss family matters, mental health, psychology, politics, and his philosophy of life. Scattered letters to and from the Taylor School of Bio-Psychology of Chattanooga, Tennessee, reflect Harrill's interest in that field. The Harrill correspondence written from Fort Fisher reflects many themes present in the earlier correspondence but also discusses his life as a hermit.
Correspondence of George Harrill and others (1972-1981, undated) largely deals with publicity concerning the Hermit and George Harrill's desire to reopen the investigation of his father's death.
Robert Harrill's writings include poetry and discussions of family matters and his philosophy.
Also included in the collection are photographs of the Hermit, newspaper clippings (1958-1980, undated) and documents pertaining to his life at Fort Fisher and to his death, his 1937 divorce papers, and manuscript biographical material. The collection also contains pamphlets concerning the Taylor School (1923), writings by Harrill's wife, Katie, and Anson Gustavus Melton's Where is Love? and Other Poems (1938).
Administrative information
Custodial History
April 3, 2023 ( addition 7), 3 items; February 1993 Charter of The Hermit's Society, 2001 booklet "A Hermit's Guide to Health and Happiness" by Michael F. Edwards (The Hermit Society), and a February 20, 1993, letter to Michael Edwards from Ed and Vergie Harrill. Ed Harrill was George Edward Harrill, son of Robert E. Harrill. Gift of Michael F. Edwards.
Source of acquisition
Gift of George Edward Harrill
Gift of Richard F. Becker
Gift of Dr. Stanley South
Gift of Mr. Michael F. Edwards
Processing information
Processed by M. York, November 1981
Reprocessed by Patrick Cash, February 2024
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Copyright notice
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Harrill, Robert E., 1893-1972Corporate Names
Taylor School of Bio-PsychologyTopical
Eccentrics and eccentricities--North CarolinaHermits--North Carolina--Fort Fisher