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Isaac Sharpless papers

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Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
MC.906
Repository:
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Extent:
1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Isaac Sharpless papers (HC.MC.906), Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.
Date:
1876-1987 (inclusive)
Creator:
Sharpless, Isaac, 1848-1920
Form:
letter books and Correspondence
Abstract:
Letters, letterbook, photographs, portraits, illustrations, clippings, essays, addresses, lectures, passports, misc. printed items, and academic hood of Isaac Sharpless.

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.

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.

Original processing information unknown. Reboxed and finding aid updated June 2022 by Cole Hannah.

People
Organization
Subject

Publisher
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

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

Collection Inventory

Letterbook of Isaac Sharpless, 1884-1900.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Used while Sharpless was Dean and President of Haverford College

Letters of Isaac Sharpless.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains letters written and sent by Isaac Sharpless to Henry Tatnall Brown, Daniel Smiley, the Friends Historical Society, John W. Spaeth, Jr., and Asa A. Wing.

Letters to Public Ledger on Trip Around the World, 1913.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Also clippings of published versions of some letters.

Inauguration as President of Haverford College, 1887.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains letters from peers and coworkers congratulating Isaac Sharpless on becoming the president of Haverford College.

Letters Upon Threatened Resignations, 1892-1915.
Box 1
Letters to Isaac Sharpless Upon his Resignation, 1916-1917.
Box 1
Letters to Isaac Sharpless, Misc., 1902-1919.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains letters about appointments and words of praise from peers and coworkers.

Sympathy Letters to Lydia Cope Sharpless, 1920.
Box 1

Editorials/Articles from the Westonian, 1909-1910.
Box 1
Addresses by Isaac Sharpless, 1888-1912.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains several of Isaac Sharpless' addresses. Their titles include "The Importance of the Atmosphere of a College," "The Friends' Theory of Worship and Guidance," "Physical Training and College Games," and 'Culture Derived from Science."

Addresses of Isaac Sharpless.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains the Isaac Sharpless addresses "College Responsibility for Morals" and "The Education of Peace Men."

Articles/Addresses by Isaac Sharpless, 1896.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

This folder contains the Isaac Sharpless writings "Adult Schools," "The Future of the Small College," The Function of the Secondary School," and "the College and the University."

Conscription in America, 1919.
Box 2
Irishmen.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

This folder contains a paper written by Isaac Sharpless.

Printed Articles.
Box 2
Lectures Given by Isaac Sharpless at Berkeley, 1909.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

This folder contains the Isaac Sharpless lectures "Quakerism and Government," "Quakerism and Moral Reform," Quakerism and Education," and "Quakerism and Creed."

Life of David Rittenhouse, 1848-1920.
Box 2
John Fothergill, 1712-1780.
Box 2
Manuscript on George Keith, 1638-1716.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

This folder contains Sharpless's writings and abstracts of tracts written by George Keith which throw light on the course of events or on George Keith's thought and abstracts of replies to Keith.

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Ellicott, 1754-1820.
Box 2
Tribute to Francis B. Gummere, 1919.
Box 2
Friends and Slavery.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

This folder includes a paper written by Isaac Sharpless

Commencement, 1911.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

This folder contains a commencement speech from the end of the 75th year of Haverford's working existence.

Report to the Board of Managers, 1892.
Box 3

Portraits.
Box 3
Home of Isaac Sharpless at Haverford: Sharpless Hall, 1917-1950.
Box 3
Birthplace of Isaac Sharpless, 1848-1930.
Box 3
Framed Photograph of Isaac Sharpless w/ Signature.
Box 3

Academic Hood - Gift of Mrs. Frederic C. Sharpless, 1971.
Box 3
Passports, 1881-1916.
Box 3
Everett Society Certificate, 1876.
Box 3
Printed - Calendar and Quaker Biographies, 1987.
Box 3
Tributes to Isaac Sharpless, 1912-1920.
Box 3

Isaac Sharpless Letters, 1887-1917.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Typed copies

Appointment as Dean, 1884.
Box 3
Resolution by Board of Managers on Resignation of Isaac Sharpless, 1916.
Box 3
Minutes by Alumni Assoc. on Death of Isaac Sharpless, 1920.
Box 3
Autobiography of Frederic C. Sharpless, 1950.
Box 3
Genealogical Information on the Sharpless Family.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

The genealogical information present in the folder also includes that of Charles (Sharpless) Perry.

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