William Bacon Evans papers
Scope and Contents
A collection of letters and journals relating to the Evans family, Carter family, and others. Included are letters written by William Bacon Evans, 1889-1933, to members of his family, describing his travels in Europe, his work in Palestine, his sojourn in Germany, and relating to various family matters. Also, letters addressed to William Bacon Evans by well-known people, 1896-1946, acknowledging gift copies of his books of poems and other letters, 1927-1962. In addition, letters by Elizabeth B. Evans, Elizabeth R. Evans, William Evans, Jr. Hannah Evans, Jonathan Evans, Rebecca Carter Evans, Thomas Evans, and papers relating to the estate of William Evans (1787-1867). As well, there are letters of John Carter and Sarah S. Carter (husband and wife). There are diaries or journals of Esther Collins, William and Thomas Evans, William Evans, William Evans, Jr., Sarah C, Hull, David Roberts, and Rachel Hunt Roberts.
An author of diverse genres, there are Bacon Evans' essays, poems, riddles, short stories, manuscripts and graphics.
Letter writers include: Howard Brinton, Richard E. Byrd, Bennett Cerf, Charles Evans, Clifton Fadiman, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Cordell Hull, Helen Keller, Frederick J. Libby, Thurgood Marshall, Francis J. McConnell, Archibald MacLeish, A.J. Muste, Herbert Nicholson, Levi Pennington, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Richard R. Wood and others.
Dates
- Creation: 1787-1963
Creator
- Evans, William Bacon, 1875-1964 (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use
Copyright and Rights Information
No restrictions
Biographical / Historical
William Bacon Evans (1875-1964) was born in Philadelphia, son of William and Rebecca Carter Evans. A Quaker, he attended Westtown School, Columbia University, Harvard University and Rollins College. In 1903, he went to Europe to practice French and study European birds. From 1908-1910, he taught French and general science at Westtown School. From 1919-1930, he taught English, French and general science to orphan boys at an English Quaker mission run by Daniel and Emily Oliver in Ras el-Metn (Ras el-Matn) in Lebanon. In this period he learned Arabic which served him when he visited Palestine and Syria as well as Israel. He was an avid student of ornithology. He gradually adopted Quaker plain dress and language. He was the primary author of entries in the Dictionary of Quaker Biography. At the close of his life, he was a member of Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Language
English
Overview
The papers of Quaker William Bacon Evans (1875-1964), a traveler to the Middle East, including Palestine, Syria and Lebanon and to Europe. His letters and journals are complemented by letters to him from a number of prominent people.
Arrangement
Box 1: Letters written by William Bacon Evans Box 2: Letters to William Bacon Evans, 1896-1963 Box 3: Genealogical items; Evans and Carter family letters Box 4: Papers of Evans and Roberts families Box 5: Additions: Papers of William Bacon Evans, 1875-1964 Box 6: Papers of William Bacon Evans Box 7: Additions: Wm. Bacon Evans Miscellaneous Papers. Box 8: Letters to William Bacon Evans, 1927-1962 & n.d.; Essays; Fragments Box 9: Poems; Riddles; Short Stories; Graphics
Other Finding Aids
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented by William Bacon Evans, 1942-1958; WB Evans estate, 1967
Processing Information
Original processing information unknown.
Subject
- Brinton, Howard Haines, 1884-1973 (Person)
- Fisher, Dorothy Canfield, 1879-1958 (Person)
- Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 (Person)
- Libby, Frederick J. (Frederick Joseph), 1874-1970 (Person)
- Marshall, Thurgood, 1908-1993 (Person)
- MacLeish, Archibald, 1892-1982 (Person)
- Muste, Abraham John, 1885-1967 (Person)
- Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962 (Person)
- Carter family (Family)
- Evans family (Family)
- Evans, William Bacon, 1875-1964 (Person)
- Title
- William Bacon Evans papers, 1787-1963
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- May 2022: by Nathaniel Rehm-Daly, Harmful Language Revision Project
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