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.
Sorted chronologically
William C. Wilson prepared this oration, entitled “What is the True Progress of the Age?," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1850. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at...
Location: Orations-1850-W754w
Subject: Education, Religion and Spirituality
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: 
"What is the True Progress of the Age?," by William C. Wilson
James Andrew McCauley (Class of 1847) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1850.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - James McCauley
Samuel Richard Peale receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on July 11, 1850.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Samuel Peale
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 11, 1850 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: 1850 Commencement Program
Alexander McClure writes sixteen letters to Eli Slifer, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, on a number of different topics, including the senatorial and representative delegate elections, reports on "Abolishing Capital...
Location: MC 2003.4, B7, F10
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from Alexander McClure to Eli Slifer, 1850-52
James Buchanan writes David Myerle to congratulate him and to remissness on how Myerle helped provide a "domestic supply of water rolled hemp" for the United States Navy. While "the object would doubtless have been eventually accomplished,"...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F25
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to David Myerle
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, and informs her of his safe arrival in Washington, DC. Even the Supreme Court has already started hearing cases, Taney asks his wife to "tell James his case...
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-4
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Anne Taney
James Buchanan responds to John G. Brenner's invitation to a dinner in honor of Captain Mathews of the Steamer City of Glasgow as well as discusses Philadelphia's economic status in the United States. "I rejoice to percieve that Philadelphia is...
Location: MC 1998.10, B2, F25
Subject: Business and Industry, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Moncure Daniel Conway, a 1849 graduate of Dickinson College, records a critical time in his personal development as he moves from life as a Methodist preacher to Harvard Divinity School, Unitarianism, and freethought, meeting and befriending...
Location: MC 1999.6, B2, F8
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Diaries and Journals
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Journal of Moncure D. Conway (Transcript)
William Charles Ford Reed, a member of the Class of 1851, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society in 1851.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes a total of six letters to Robert Tyler expressing his opinions on various contemporary political developments. Topics include the campaign of Judge Campbell, Simon Cameron as a political opponent, Colonel William King as...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
Pennsylvania politician James Buchanan congratulates James Campbell on his recent political victory and discusses W. Baker's appointment as superintendent of the Columbia Rail Road. While one of Campbell's friends opposes Baker's selection,...
Location: I-Friends-2003-5
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Campbell
James Buchanan writes to former Senator Robert J. Walker regarding the potential secession of South Carolina. "Heaven alone can foresee all the evils to our Country and to herself which may follow her secession," as Buchanan notes. Transcript...
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Sellers writes Colonel William F. Wagenseller regarding two recent court cases and payments that are due. Transcript included.
Location: MC 2003.4, B9, F20
Subject: Legal Affairs
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes two letters to John Hastings that focus on Pennsylvania politics, including divisions in the state Democratic party, the Jefferson resolution, Reading convention, and the possibility of Democrats selecting Buchanan as their...
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to John Hasting
Israel Gutelius writes eight letters to Eli Slifer regarding issues related to the publication of Gutelius' German language newspaper, including laws that would allow "reasonable compensation" for the work in translating and publishing county...
Location: MC 2003.4, B5, F7
Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs, Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from Israel Gutelius to Eli Slifer, 1851-54
William Wagenseller writes ten letters to Eli Slifer on a number of different topics, including funding a monument for his late brother and recommending his nephew for a position as a doctor in the Union army. In addition, Wagenseller provides...
Location: MC 2003.4, B10, F21
Subject: Health and Medicine, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
Location: MC 2003.4, B10, F21
Subject: Health and Medicine, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1860-1879
James Buchanan writes his nephew and legal ward, James Buchanan Henry, to discuss a recent school report. "In Scholarship you are 93.9; not so high as formerly," as Buchanan notes. In addition, Buchanan comments on his niece, Harriet Lane, and...
Location: I-Friends-2010-2
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to James Henry
James Buchanan writes Robert P. Flenniken to discuss a number of political issues, including the 1852 Presidential election, the implications of General Lane's nomination in Indiana, and the intentions of Mr. Cameron to "admit the Frazer...
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F3
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
James Buchanan writes Robert Tyler, son of President John Tyler, about Buchanan's tenure as secretary of state under President James Polk and the Mexican War. "The appointments of officers in the Mexican war nearly ruined me politically in...
Location: I-Friends-2003-4
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Robert Tyler
James Buchanan writes John Tyler Jr. and explains how sectional tensions will increase after the Whig party nominates General Winfield Scott as their candidate for the 1852 Presidential election. "The result most probably will be to increase the...
Location: MC 1998.10, B3, F4
Subject: Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to John Tyler Jr.
James Monroe Kimberlin prepared this oration, entitled “The Destiny of America," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. In...
Location: Orations-1851-K49d
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
James S. Thomas prepared this oration, entitled “The National Monument," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript...
Location: Orations-1851-T458n
Subject: Education, Politics and Government
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The National Monument," by James S. Thomas
George B. Day prepared this oration, entitled “The Genius of Revolution," for the commencement ceremonies held June 26, 1851. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time....
Location: Orations-1851-D273g
Subject: Education, Politics and Government, Social Reform and Advocacy
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The Genius of Revolution," by George B. Day
William Charles Ford Reed receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on June 26, 1851.
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Bachelor of Arts Diploma - William Reed