Isaac Sharpless papers
Scope and Contents
Letters, letterbook, photographs, portraits, illustrations, clippings, essays, addresses, lectures, passports, misc. printed items, and academic hood of Isaac Sharpless.
Letters (1894-1918) written by Sharpless, chiefly addressed to Henry Tatnall Brown (ca. 1871-1938), discuss Sharpless's theological views, various writing projects, and the Friends Historical Society. Collection includes letterbook (1884-1900) kept by Sharpless while Dean of faculty and President of Haverford College and letters addressed to Sharpless on such topics as the occasion of his inauguration (1887), his resignation in 1917 (1916-1917), and threatened resignations (1892, 1915).
Collection includes sympathy letters to Lydia Sharpless on the death of her husband in 1920, tributes to Isaac Sharpless, certificate and passports of Sharpless, and clippings of editorials by Sharpless appearing in "The Westonian" (1909-1910). Collection contains Sharpless's unpublished manuscripts on George Keith (1638-1716), Andrew Ellicott (1754-1820), and Friends and slavery, as well as various other articles and addresses by Sharpless on topics relating to education, Friends' history, and lectures on Quakerism given by Sharpless at Berkeley, California in 1909.
Additionally, the collection contains photographs of Sharpless and the Sharpless family as well as photographs of his birthplace and memorial tablet unveiled there in 1930. Also contains a Haverford College calendar for 1987 titled "The Sharpless Years, 1887-1917."
Addition includes letter of appointment of Isaac Sharpless as Dean of Haverford College and list of duties; group of letters by Isaac Sharpless, 1887-1917, selected, transcribed and typed by Katharine Sharpless Klein; resolution of the Haverford Board of Managers upon the resignation of Isaac Sharpless as president, 1916; minute prepared by the Alumni Association of Haverford College on the death of Isaac Sharpless, 1920; autobiography of Frederic Cope Sharpless, ca. 1950s; genealogical material relating to the Sharpless family.
Dates
- Creation: 1876-1987
Creator
- Sharpless, Isaac, 1848-1920 (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).
Biographical / Historical
Isaac Sharpless (1848-1920) was the president of Haverford College from 1887 until his resignation in 1917. He was the son of Aaron and Susanna (Forsythe) Sharpless and was born in Birmingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. In 1876, he married Lydia Trimble Cope. Sharpless taught at Westtown Boarding School from 1867-1868 and 1873-1875. He taught mathematics and astronomy at Haverford College from 1875-1884. In 1884 he was named Dean of the faculty and in 1887 he was named president of the College. During his tenure as president, the College saw improvements in the areas of enrollment, academic standards, endowments, and facilities.
Extent
1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Letters, letterbook, photographs, portraits, illustrations, clippings, essays, addresses, lectures, passports, misc. printed items, and academic hood of Isaac Sharpless.
Processing Information
Original processing information unknown. Reboxed and finding aid updated June 2022 by Cole Hannah.
Subject
- Haverford College -- History (Organization)
- Sharpless, Isaac, 1848-1920 (Person)
- Title
- Isaac Sharpless collection, 1876-1987
- 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
