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Francis and Samuel Gummere papers

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-1258

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials related to Francis Barton Gummere (1855-1919), including his personal journal, poetry, and correspondence with Richard Cadbury. Also materials from Francis’s father, Samuel James Gummere, including a journal detailing his voyage to Europe, works of his poetry, and written accounts of his travel in the United States. Miscellaneous correspondence, clippings, photographs, and writings are also part of the collection. Francis Barton Gummere's journal includes his reflections on his life, family, work, and excerpts of his poetry. Francis Barton Gummere's correspondence with Richard Cadbury consists mainly of poetry and requests for critique, as well as updates on family and wellbeing. The long poems by Samuel James Gummere consist of description of his travels in the United States, and specifically in Iowa. The unidentified poetry includes religious and romantic sentiments.

Dates

  • Creation: 1854-1937
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1854 - 1919

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical note

Francis Barton Gummere, (March 6th, 1855 - May 30th, 1919) was born to Samuel J. Gummere and Elizabeth H. Barton in Burlington, New Jersey. He was half-brother of Caroline E. Gummere and John Gummere. In 1870, his family moved to Haverford, Pennsylvania. He became a student at Haverford College. He received his bachelor's from Harvard University in 1875 (the same year he received his master's from Haverford) and taught there for two years as an English instructor. He then ran the William Swain School for Advanced Work at New Bedford, Massachusetts, and later worked with the Penn Cord and Iron Works. After, he worked the law firm F.I. Gowan, and then as a teacher at the Providence, Rhode Island Friends’ School and later at Moses Brown School. He went on to become a professor of German and English at Haverford College in 1888. He studied abroad at the Universities of Berlin, Leipzig, and Jena, and received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Freiburg. He married Amelia Smith Mott in 1882, and he had three children: Richard M., Samuel J., and Francis Barton Jr.

Samuel James Gummere, (April 28th, 1811 - October 23, 1874) was born to John and Elizabeth Buzby Gummere in Rancocas, New Jersey. His father opened a boarding school in Burlington, New Jersey, where Samuel assisted. He later organized the classical department in the Friends’ School in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1834, his father became the superintendent of Haverford School, and Samuel became an assistant teacher there. Samuel married Abigail Griscom in 1835, who died in 1840. In 1843, the Gummeres reopened the boarding school in Burlington, New Jersey which had had financial difficulties. In 1845, Samuel married Elizabeth Hooton Barton. In 1862, he returned to teach at Haverford College (previously Haverford School), then became president of the college in 1863, a position he held until his death in 1874. He had three children, Caroline E. Gummere, John Gummere, and Francis Barton Gummere.

Richard Tapper Cadbury, (October 11, 1853 - October 29, 1929) was born to Richard and Lydia Shinn Cadbury in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Haverford College in 1868 and received an master's from Harvard in 1878. Cadbury was a teacher, writer, businessman, and art connoisseur. Richard Tapper Cadbury was married to Helen Nathans on August 28, 1884, and the couple lived in Haverford, Pennsylvania, where Helen ran a school for small children.

Extent

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains materials related to the life of Francis Barton Gummere (1855-1919) as well as his father, Samuel James Gummere (1811-1874).

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by author; miscellaneous materials grouped by type of media.

Acquisition

The Francis and Samuel Gummere papers were purchsed by Special Collections, Haverford College in May, 2015 from Jeffrey Ravenpor.

Related Materials

  • Gummere Family materials, HC.MC.950
  • Gummere-Mott Family papers, HC.MC.1148
  • Francis Barton Gummere songbook and notebooks, HCS.003.023
  • "Foundations of English Literature, "HC.MC-975-07-135
  • Francis Barton Gummere collection, HCS.001.045

Physical Description

Three bound texts, copies of handwritten accounts, handwritten correspondence, handwritten notes, various clippings from books and newspapers, three photographs.

Processing Information

Processed by Natalia Gutierrez-Jones; completed July, 2015.

Title
Francis and Samuel Gummere papers, 1854-1937
Author
Natalia Gutierrez-Jones
Date
July, 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US