Robert S. Burch (1814 - 1900) was born in Hancock County, Georgia, and was a classmate and personal friend of Alexander H. Stephens. A lawyer, land speculator, and farmer/businessman, he owned property throughout the state and lived (during the span of the papers) in Thomasville, Marietta, and Newnan. Burch was the grandfather of the donor, Edwin Robinson, and Edwin's sister, Martha Reid Robinson.

Burch's correspondence with family, friends, and business associates. There are seven letters to Alexander Stephens, 1845 - 1876, discussing family, politics, and reconstruction; a speech given by Burch before a reunion of Confederate Veterans, 1894; an undated essay by Burch on dreams; an 1862 letter from Burch's son, George Tilley Burch, who was captain of Co. I, 29th Georgia Infantry Regiment, stationed near Savannah. George died July 13, 1864 as a result of improper treatment of a wound, see letter to Stephens, July 24, 1864); and a personality report on George Burch, 1846.