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Alice Freeman Palmer papers: a container list

 Collection — Box: 3
Identifier:  1DD2-Palmer

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of the personal papers of former Wellesley College President, Alice Freeman Palmer, dating from 1880-1950. Includes biographical articles, Hall of Fame documents, correspondence about Alice Freeman Palmer, correspondence between Alice Freeman Palmer and her husband George H. Palmer, pamphlets, memorials and tributes.

Dates

  • 1880-1950

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. To make an appointment to view materials, please contact the Archives staff by email at archives@wellesley.edu or by phone at (781) 283-3745.

Conditions Governing Use

The Wellesley College Archives welcomes researchers to use materials in the public domain, to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law, and to request permission to use works whose copyright is held by Wellesley College. All materials from the Archives, regardless of copyright status, should be attributed to the Wellesley College Archives, Library and Technology Services when cited, quoted, or reproduced.

Biographical / Historical

Alice Freeman was born February 21, 1855, in Broome County, New York, as the oldest of four children. She attended the University of Michigan as a member of the Class of 1876. After graduating she taught at a Wisconsin boarding school, and then served as Principal of a high school in East Saginaw, Michigan. She continued to study for her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, and received an honorary Ph.D. in 1882. In 1879 she was hired at Wellesley College as Professor of History, and the following year was appointed Vice President and Acting President; her official Presidency of Wellesley College began in 1882, at age 26. Also in 1882, she became a co-founder of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (later named the American Association of University Women). Wellesley College's Academic Council was founded under her administration. She retired from the position of President in June 1887, and was then elected to the Board of Trustees of the college. In December 1887, she married George Herbert Palmer, who was a Harvard University Professor of Philosophy. She served on the Massachusetts State Board of Education from 1889 until her death. She served as Dean of the Women's Department at the University of Chicago from 1892 to 1895. She passed away of complications following surgery at 47 years old, in December, 1902.

[Information from: Glasscock, Jean, and Katharine Canby Balderston. Wellesley College, 1875-1975: a Century of Women. Wellesley College, 1975. Pages 23-34.]

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Title
Palmer, Alice Freeman, 1855-1902. Alice Freeman Palmer papers, 1880-1950: a container list
Status
In Progress
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Wellesley College Archives Repository

Contact:

781-283-3745