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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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1839
The Dickinson College catalog for the 1839-1840 academic year. Through the years, the annual catalog was variously titled "The Bulletin," "Catalogue and Register," "Course Catalog," and similar variants. The catalog typically includes the list of courses offered, requirements for enrollment, requirements for graduation, tuition and other fees, and campus facilities, college policies, and lists of teaching faculty, college trustees, and various administrators.
Format: Books and Pamphlets
Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College Alumni Affairs, Education
Time Period: 1820-1839, 1840-1859
View Item: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Dickinson College, 1839-40
January 18, 1839
Pennsylvania Representative Henry Logan's draft of his response to a dinner invitation from President Martin Van Buren for January 23, 1839.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-LoganH-1968-1
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Henry Logan to Martin Van Buren (Draft)
February 18, 1839
Dickinson College President John P. Durbin writes C. A. Walborn regarding the case of a Mr. Dodge. "If I can extract any information" from Mr. Dodge, Durbin explains that "I shall have to tell him that we do not consider the case closed at all." Durbin also notes that he is recovering from an illness.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1966-5
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from John Durbin to C. Walborn
March 23, 1839
Senator James Buchanan is interested in learning more about "the early history of my father," James Buchanan, Sr., and writes Robert Lamberton to ask for help. "Your father is the only gentleman I know who can furnish me this information," as Buchanan explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F22
Subject: Genealogy and Family History
Time Period: 1820-1839
May 2, 1839
Senator James Buchanan (Class of 1809) writes to General Garret D. Wall regarding the education of his orphaned niece Harriet R. Lane, whom he raised.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-70
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to Garret Wall
June 10, 1839
"Synopsis of the Birds of Pennsylvania" compiled by Spencer F. Baird from John James Audubon, Alexander Wilson, and Nuttal in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Includes sections on land and water birds.
Format: Reports
Location: I-Original-1839-4
Subject: Science and Technology
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item:
July 11, 1839
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 11, 1839 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.
Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Location: Dickinsoniana Programs
Subject: Dickinson College Events
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: 1839 Commencement Program
July 11, 1839
John O. Proctor prepared this oration, entitled “Formation of the Female Character," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1839. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1839-P964f
Subject: Education, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: "Formation of Female Character," by John O. Proctor
July 11, 1839
John Lyon prepared this oration, entitled “Inequalities of the Human Condition," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1839. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1839-L991i
Subject: Education, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1820-1839
July 11, 1839
James G. Hamilton prepared this oration, entitled “The Congress of Panama," for the commencement ceremonies held July 11, 1839. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1839-H218c
Subject: International Affairs, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
October 9, 1839
William Thomas (Class of 1825) writes to Carlisle lawyer C.B. Penrose, discussing the "election of our entire ticket" and analyzing opposition towards "Loco Focos," a faction of the Democratic party, as well as abolitionists.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-54
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from Thomas Williams to C. B. Penrose
November 25, 1839
Former President and Representative John Quincy Adams writes to members of a committee of Union Philosophical Society (UPS) members and declines an invitation to deliver an address before a joint meeting of the Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Society at Dickinson College. The members of on the UPS committee are Richard Van Boskirk Lincoln ('41), Richard McAlister ('40), Benjamin Morsell McConley ('41), Henry Augustus Muhlenberg ('40), Charles Patterson Wilkins ('42).
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2008-3
Subject: Dickinson College Organizations, Dickinson College Student Life, Education
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from John Quincy Adams to the Union Philosophical Society
December 16, 1839
John Zug (Class of 1837) writes to his girlfriend, Margaret Hood, and describes his first days of work as a lawyer. Zug explains that his colleagues are "ungodly men, not only irreligious, but most of them profane." Zug is happy, however, to have recovered from a recent fever. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2013-8
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1820-1839
View Item: Letter from John Zug to Margaret Hood
1840-1842
Senator James Buchanan writes two letters to Thomas L. Hamer discussing various contemporary political leaders. In the first letter, Buchanan reflects upon John C. Calhoun's recent visit to the President and the nomination of William H. Harrison as a candidate in the 1840 Presidential election. The second letter discusses the finances of Pennsylvania, which "is now in a dreadful condition." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
January 1, 1840
Senator James Buchanan informs John R. Savage that his son has "no prospect of obtaining a midshipman's warrant" in the United States Navy. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10, B1, F24
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from James Buchanan to John R. Savage
1840-1844
Senator James Buchanan writes five letters to Col Reah Frazer regarding a number of different political issues, including the 1840 Democratic National Convention, the 1840 and 1844 Presidential Elections, the Independent Treasury Bill, appointments to President Tyler's cabinet, the possibility of removing Mrs. Mary Dickson as a postmaster, and the 1844 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Reah Frazer
circa 1840
Ellen Lyon discusses how women's education should be structured and what subjects should be included in an essay entitled "What Branch of Study is Most Important in the Education of a Young Lady." "Within a few years female education has received more attention and has undergone a material change," as Lyon notes. While "a young lady is expected also to have an acquaintance with the sciences," Lyon explains that studying "philosophy and chemistry... are the most important." Ellen Lyon's father, George Armstrong Lyon (Class of 1800), is a member of the Board of Trustees from 1815 to 1833. Transcript included.
Format: Essays and Dissertations
Location: I-Original-undated-16
Subject: Education, Social Reform and Advocacy
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "What Branch of Study is Most Important in the Education of a Young Lady," by Ellen Lyon
March 9, 1840
Representative Joseph Trumbull writes former Senator James Lanman to discuss the political situation in the United States Congress as well as James Buchanan's political views. The "House [of Representatives] is a perfect Bedlam and the Senate seems to me to have degenerated," as Trumbull explains. Trumbull also mentions Senator John Davis, Senator Robert J. Walker, and comments on the nullifier plot to control the "money power." In addition, Trumbull notes that some have high hopes for William Harrison and the Whigs in the Presidential Election of 1840. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1960-5
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from Joseph Trumbull to James Lanman
April 4, 1840
Dickinson College President John P. Durbin writes John Zug (Class of 1837) and appoints him as the principal of the Dickinson College Grammar School until the Board of Trustees meeting in July. "Let us see if we cannot raise the School once more," as Durbin explains.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-StokesM-1964-2
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letter from John Durbin to John Zug
1840-1855
Senator James Buchanan writes four letters on a number of different topics, including Congressional legislation on bankruptcy, banks, the Tariff bill, the 1844 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, and political conditions in Pennsylvania. Buchanan, as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom, also writes from London to discuss the 1856 Presidential election and updates on the Crimean war between England and Russia. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.10
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: Letters from James Buchanan to Unknown Recipients
July 9, 1840
Samuel George Hare prepared this oration, entitled “The Influence of Literature Upon Morality," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1840. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1840-H275i
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The Influence of Literature Upon Morality," by Samuel G. Hare
July 9, 1840
Henry Augustus Muhlenberg prepared this oration, entitled “The Past," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1840. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1840-M952p
Subject: Education, Literary Pursuits
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "The Past," by Henry Augustus Muhlenberg
July 9, 1840
This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on July 9, 1840 shows the members of the graduating class and the speeches that they were scheduled to deliver.
Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Location: Dickinsoniana Programs
Subject: Dickinson College Events
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: 1840 Commencement Program
July 9, 1840
Clement Edwin Babb prepared this oration, entitled “Misanthropy," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1840. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1840-B112m
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Misanthropy," by Clement E. Babb
July 9, 1840
A. Herr Smith prepared this oration, entitled “Suicide," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1840. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: Orations-1840-S642s
Subject: Health and Medicine, Literary Pursuits
Time Period: 1840-1859
View Item: "Suicide," by A. Herr Smith