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Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents. 

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"The Triumph of American Genius," by J. Howard Beckwith
"The Triumph of American Genius," by J. Howard Beckwith
July 8, 1858

J. Howard Beckwith prepared this oration, entitled “The Triumph of American Genius," for the Junior Prize (Grigg Prize) contest held on July 3, 1858. Twelve members of the Junior class gave speeches on a variety of subjects. Transcript included...

Location: Orations-1858-B397t

Subject: Education, Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Triumph of American Genius," by J. Howard Beckwith

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Thomas Griffith
Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Thomas Griffith
July 8, 1858

Thomas Miller Griffith receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 8, 1858.

Location: OC 2005.4, F1

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Thomas Griffith

Master of Arts Diploma - John Hurst
Master of Arts Diploma - John Hurst
July 8, 1858

John Fletcher Hurst (Class of 1854) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 8, 1858.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Master of Arts Diploma - John Hurst

Union Philosophical Society Diploma - Joseph Stuart
Union Philosophical Society Diploma - Joseph Stuart
July 8, 1858

Joseph John Stuart, member of the class of 1858, receives this diploma as a member of the Union Philosophical Society on July 8, 1858.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Union Philosophical Society Diploma - Joseph Stuart

Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Joseph Stuart
Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Joseph Stuart
July 8, 1858

Joseph John Stuart receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 8, 1858.

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Joseph Stuart

Master of Arts Diploma - Charles Himes
Master of Arts Diploma - Charles Himes
July 8, 1858

Charles Francis Himes (Class of 1855) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 8, 1858.

Location: OC 2000.1, F4

Subject: Education

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Master of Arts Diploma - Charles Himes

1858 Commencement Program
1858 Commencement Program
July 8, 1858

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 8, 1858 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.

Location: Dickinsoniana Programs

Subject: Dickinson College Events

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon 1858 Commencement Program

Letters from Andrew Curtin to Eli Slifer, 1858-59
Letters from Andrew Curtin to Eli Slifer, 1858-59
1858-1859

Andrew Curtin writes fourteen letters to Eli Slifer in which he discusses a number of political issues, including who to nominate as candidates in Congressional elections. Curtin also reflects upon Slifer's potential candidacy for treasurer of...

Location: MC 2003.4, B3, F10

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letters from Andrew Curtin to Eli Slifer, 1858-59

Journal of Horatio Collins King
Journal of Horatio Collins King
1858-1859

Horatio Collins King, a member of the Class of 1858, records his thoughts and activities of his daily life in the first year after his graduation from Dickinson College. King's entries include notes on his travels through New England, Canada, and...

Location: MC 1999.9, B3, F1

Subject: Education, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Journal of Horatio Collins King (Transcript)

Letter from James Buchanan to E. L. Molineux
Letter from James Buchanan to E. L. Molineux
September 1, 1858

President James Buchanan explains why he cannot grant E. L. Molineux's request that a merchant clerk of New York City receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F26

Subject: Education, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to E. L. Molineux

Letter from Jeremiah Black to Jacob Thompson
Letter from Jeremiah Black to Jacob Thompson
November 2, 1858

United States Attorney General Jeremiah Sullivan Black writes to Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Interior, with a legal opinion on the question of whether widows of officers and soldiers could receive a government pension if they remarry. "Upon...

Location: I-BeachW-1974-1

Subject: Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Jeremiah Black to Jacob Thompson

Biographical Sketch of President James Buchanan by Lily Macalester
Biographical Sketch of President James Buchanan by Lily Macalester
1859

Lily Macalester writes this biographical sketch of President James Buchanan in 1859. Macalester is friends with First Lady Harriet Lane, Buchanan's niece. Transcript included.

Location: I-BeachW-2001-1

Subject: Genealogy and Family History, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Biographical Sketch of President James Buchanan by Lily Macalester

Letter from James Buchanan to New York City Burns Club
Letter from James Buchanan to New York City Burns Club
January 15, 1859

President James Buchanan writes the Burns Club of the City of New York to decline the club's invitation to a dinner celebrating Robert Burns's centennial birthday. Buchanan also expresses his personal views on the poet's life and work. "[Burns]...

Location: I-Friends-2011-3

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to New York City Burns Club

Letter from James Buchanan to Charles Wentz
Letter from James Buchanan to Charles Wentz
April 22, 1859

President James Buchanan writes Charles E. Wentz regarding possible political appointments for Col. Samuel Stambaugh. "I have offered him two good offices; but he will accept neither of them," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F2

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to Charles Wentz

Letter from James Buchanan to Lewis Cass, John B. Floyd, and Jeremiah S. Black
Letter from James Buchanan to Lewis Cass, John B. Floyd, and Jeremiah S. Black
May 4, 1859

President James Buchanan writes to Secretary of State Lewis Cass, Secretary of War John B. Floyd, and Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black regarding orders that they need to send to federal officials in Utah. "The State of Affairs in Utah renders...

Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F2

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to Lewis Cass, John B. Floyd, and Jeremiah S. Black

Letter from Jacob Thompson to John Leonard
Letter from Jacob Thompson to John Leonard
May 9, 1859

United States Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson forwards a commission from President James Buchanan (Class of 1809) to John A. B. Leonard. The commission appoints Mr. Leonard as "Secretary to sign patents for lands."

Location: I-AsbellY-2002-63

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Jacob Thompson to John Leonard

Letter from Spencer Baird to A. Haen & Company
Letter from Spencer Baird to A. Haen & Company
May 29, 1859

Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to A. Haen & Company about the redrawing of some plates. Dr. John Newberry has left, and Baird has no authority in the matter but will write to Newberry.

Location: I-BeachW-1983-2

Subject: Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Spencer Baird to A. Haen & Company

Letter from Henry Wise to Unknown Recipient
Letter from Henry Wise to Unknown Recipient
June 13, 1859

Governor of Virginia Henry Alexander Wise comments on various national political issues and on the 1860 presidential election. Wise tells his correspondent that "I hope you will deal hardly by the Softs...

Location: I-SpahrB-1954-9

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Henry Wise to Unknown Recipient

Journal of Charles F. Thomas

Journal of Charles F. Thomas
July 9, 1859 - November 13, 1861

Charles F. Thomas' diary includes intermittent entries dating from leaving Dickinson College in July 1859, to attending at Garrett Bible Institute in Evanston, Illinois, and to working as a Methodist circuit rider in Pennsylvania as the Civil War...

Location: I-Friends-1983-17

Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Journal of Charles F. Thomas (Transcription)

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Location: I-Friends-1983-17

Subject: Dickinson College Student Life, Education, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Diaries and Journals

Time Period: 1860-1879

View Item: PDF icon Journal of Charles F. Thomas (Transcription)

"The Power of Thought," by George Baylor
"The Power of Thought," by George Baylor
July 9, 1859

George Baylor prepared this oration, entitled “The Power of Thought," for the Junior Prize (Grigg Prize) contest held on July 9, 1859. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1859-B358p

Subject: Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Power of Thought," by George Baylor

"The Central Idea of History," by William L. Cannon
"The Central Idea of History," by William L. Cannon
July 9, 1859

William L. Cannon prepared this oration, entitled “The Central Idea of History," for the Junior Prize (Grigg Prize) contest held on July 9, 1862. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1859-C226c

Subject: Education, Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "The Central Idea of History," by William L. Cannon

"Posthumous Glory," by Clarence G. Jackson
"Posthumous Glory," by Clarence G. Jackson
July 9, 1859

Clarence G. Jackson prepared this oration, entitled “Posthumous Glory," for the Junior Prize (Grigg Prize) contest held on July 9, 1859. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1859-J12p

Subject: Religion and Spirituality

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Posthumous Glory," by Clarence G. Jackson

"Manifest Destiny," by Zebulon Dyer
"Manifest Destiny," by Zebulon Dyer
July 14, 1859

Zebulon Dyer prepared this oration, entitled “Manifest Destiny," for the commencement ceremonies held July 14, 1859. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript...

Location: Orations-1859-D996m

Subject: Education, Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon "Manifest Destiny," by Zebulon Dyer

1859 Commencement Program
1859 Commencement Program
July 14, 1859

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 14, 1859 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.

Location: Dickinsoniana Programs

Subject: Dickinson College Events

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon 1859 Commencement Program

Letter from James Buchanan to W. C. N. Swift
Letter from James Buchanan to W. C. N. Swift
August 4, 1859

President James Buchanan writes to W.C.N. Swift and voices his opinion that the Massachusetts delegation at the 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina "should be composed of sound national men who will act in unison."...

Location: I-Friends-2001-3

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

View Item: PDF icon Letter from James Buchanan to W. C. N. Swift

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