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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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November 27, 1879

Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Interior in President James Buchanan's administration, writes Jeremiah Sullivan Black and asks for advice on what to do about the slander in John Bonner's Child's History of the United States. Black also served in President Buchanan's administration as Attorney General and later as Secretary of State.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1991-12

Subject: Legal Affairs, Politics and Government

Time Period: 1860-1879

View Item: Letter from Jacob Thompson to Jeremiah Black

1880

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1879-1880 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. Information about programs at Conway Hall, Dickinson College's Preparatory School, was also included in this edition.

Format: Books and Pamphlets

Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals

Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education

Time Period: 1860-1879, 1880-1899

View Item:

February 7, 1880

Harriet Lane Johnston writes Judge Jeremiah Sullivan Black to defending her uncle's (President James Buchanan) motives for distribution of offices during his administration.  "One thing I do know," as Johnston explains, is "that if he had an office, it was not given to him as 'a reward' for having written a 'campaign biography of Mr. Buchanan.'"  Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1998.10, B4, F16

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Lane Johnston to Jeremiah Black

May 2, 1880

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Susie Howard and asks for help in buying a layette for her first grandchild as well as discusses plans for their upcoming trip to Saco, Maine. Stowe also mentions how she "had to give up going" to another city. "I can't be everywhere at once," as Stowe explains.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

May 18, 1880

Secretary of the Smithsonian Spencer F. Baird writes to Dr. Horatio R. Storer regarding accommodations in Newport. While Baird thanks Storer for his assistance, Baird notes that he "may have to visit Newport personally before I can settle the matter finally in my own mind."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-1966-9

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Horatio Storer

June 14, 1880

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes Susie Howard to discuss plans for their trip to Saco, Maine. Stowe also mentions the possibility of stopping at a Mrs. Claflin's house during the trip. "She will be delighted to see you," as Stowe explains. Stowe also asks Howard to "reply immediately." "I want to go at once if you are ready," as Stowe notes.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

June 16, 1880

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes Susie Howard and discusses plans for their trip to Saco, Maine.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

September 20, 1880

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to ornithologist Winfrid A. Stearns about the use of alcohol in preserving museum specimens. Unfortunately, the Smithsonian's alcohol stock has run out, and a new shipment will not arrive in time for Stearns's purposes. Baird recommends an alternative preservation technique involving arsenic.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1989-1

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Winfrid Stearns

May 10, 1881

Moncure D. Conway writes Mr. Woolner to clarify his request for a photograph of Mr. Woolner's "bust of [Thomas] Carlyle."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-2001-1

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Moncure Conway to Mr. Woolner

June 30, 1881

William M. Beetem Glanding (Class of 1878) receives his Master of Arts from Dickinson College on June 30, 1881.

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - William Glanding

October 17, 1881

Samuel Barlow writes to George Ticknor Curtis about Curtis' James Buchanan manuscript that contains material on Buchanan's engagement to Miss Anna Coleman. Barlow argues that Curtis "should not print any considerable portion of what you have written, on the subject of his engagement to Miss Coleman." The engagement, as Barlow explains, "was finally broken by the death of the lady" and that Buchanan "never spoke of this matter." Barlow also describes Harriet Lane as "a model gentlewoman, the peer in grace, beauty & manner" and "truly, the first Lady in the land." Curtis eventually published a two volume biography, the Life of James Buchanan, fifteenth president of the United States, in 1883. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Original-1881-1

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

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Samuel Barlow to George Curtis

1882

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1881-1882 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. Information about programs at Conway Hall, Dickinson College's Preparatory School, was also included in this edition.

Format: Books and Pamphlets

Location: Dickinsoniana Periodicals

Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item:

June 29, 1882

This copy of the printed program for the commencement exercises held on June 29, 1882 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: 1880-1899

View Item: 1882 Commencement Program

July 5, 1882

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to his colleague Winfrid A. Stearns regarding specimen collection. The Smithsonian will send Stearns alcohol and "shall be pleased to have from [him] any collection in marine zoology."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1989-1

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Winfrid Stearns

December 11, 1882

Horatio Collins King writes Governor Elect of New York Grover Cleveland and thanks him for the appointment as a Judge Advocate in the National Guard. King notes his "sincere thanks for... making me a member of your military family."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1990-1

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

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Horatio Collins King to Grover Cleveland

December 21, 1882

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Susie Howard and apologizes for "neglect." "I was so unwell and Mr. Stowe so unwell... that nobody ought to have expected any thing of me," as Stowe explains. Stowe also tells Howard that her Christmas card is in the mail.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

January 22, 1883

Hugh Henry Brackenridge's memoir of Charles Nisbet, received in "The Historical Society" on January 22, 1883. This transcript was copied by Professor Joshua Allen Lippincott (class of 1858).

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: I-Original-1883-1

Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Literary Pursuits

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Hugh Brackenridge's Memoir of Charles Nisbet

February 5, 1883

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Susie Howard regarding her poor health, complaining of crippling rheumatism, and family news. "Everything tires me - though I try to act as if I feel well," as Stowe explains. Stowe also mentions that all her friends are gone and that she believes that she is older than Susie. In addition, Stowe shares that her son, Charles, has a new parish in Hartford and that she and her husband sing hymns about Canaan and Jordan.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

March 6, 1883

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullteron Baird writes to his colleague Winfrid A. Stearns regarding a request for a steamer to use in research. Despite Baird's enthusiasm for steamer technology, the Smithsonian cannot offer Stearns the use of one, nor can they afford to rent one for him.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1989-1

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Winfrid Stearns

May 3, 1883

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to his colleague Winfrid A. Stearns, regretting that the Smithsonian cannot fund "a special expedition to Labrador." Additionally, Baird is expecting Professor Addison E. Verrill's "papers on [Stearns'] invertebrates" to be published soon and sends "the latest Fish Commission Report."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1989-1

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Winfrid Stearns

June 16, 1883

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to Professor Robert Bell of the Geological Survey of Canada, thanking him for his advice on how to get alcohol to researchers in Canada. Baird also writes that he will add Queen's College, McGill University, the Peter Redpath Museum, and the Museum of the Geological Survey to "the list of recipients of [the] series of marine invertebrates."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1987-5

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Robert Bell

June 19, 1883

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes Susie Howard and discusses her acceptance of a invitation by a "Mrs. White."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 1999.9, B2, F5

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Susie Howard

June 23, 1883

Naturalist and Smithsonian administrator Spencer Fullerton Baird writes to his colleague Winfrid A. Stearns about sending supplies to Quebec at the address of George Tanguay. These include "one dredge; two dredge nets; one four-gallon tank, and about eighteen jars of alcohol." Baird anticipates that Stearns will have some trouble with the alcohol because of the duty for importing it.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1989-1

Subject: Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: Letter from Spencer Baird to Winfrid Stearns

June 28, 1883

Frank G. Graham prepared this oration, entitled “John Dickinson," for the commencement ceremonies held June 28, 1883. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Location: OrationsX-1883-G738j

Subject: Dickinson College History, Education, Politics and Government

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: "John Dickinson," by Frank G. Graham

June 28, 1883

Franklin F. Bond prepared this oration, entitled “The Choice," for the commencement ceremonies held June 28, 1883. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Location: OrationsX-1883-B711c

Subject: Education, Science and Technology

Time Period: 1880-1899

View Item: "The Choice," by Franklin F. Bond