Call Number:

000.029

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

0.01 linear ft. (1 folder)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Isaac Sharpless writings (HCS.000.029) Quaker and Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1887-1906, 1964 (inclusive)

Creator:

Sharpless, Isaac, 1848-1920 and Kenderdine, John D.

Form:

Correspondence

Abstract:

Three letters and one note written by Isaac Sharpless between 1887 and 1906.

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. John D. Kenderdine was a member of the Haverford College Class of 1910.

On Feburary 5, 1887, Sharpless writes to M.C. Morris about a memorial fund for Pliny Earle Chase's estate. The letter is also signed by Allen C. Thomas and Seth K. Gifford. In a letter dated April 1st, 1887, Sharpless writes to M.C. Morris about a sum of money recived from Pliny Earle Chase's estate. He proposes that the money go to his wife while she lives and that afterwards they should estabish a professorship as a memorial to him. In a typed note from October 2, 1904, Sharpless thanks the father of Chester Teller for Teller's contribution of a collection of minerals to the College. In a handwritten note scrawled on a sheet of paper, Sharpless writes "If the freshmen can not cease using Barclay Hall as a ball field, I shall prohibit their admission to it." This note is dated c.a. 1906. It is attached to a typed letter dated October 29, 1964, from John D. Kenderdine (Class of 1910), who reminisces about Sharpless and recommends that the note be donated to the archive.

Arranged chronologically.