Call Number:

003.018

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

0.31 linear ft. (3 volumes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Charles Roberts autograph albums (HCS.003.018), Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1805-1867 (inclusive)

Creator:

Roberts, Charles, 1846-1902

Form:

autograph albums

Abstract:

The smaller autograph albums contain signatures of Haverford College students. In the 1860-1862 autograph album, most signatures are accompanied with respective hometowns and the date of the signature; one signature includes a quote. In the 1860-1864 album, there are pictures for most signatories, but few hometown entries; one signature includes a quote. The larger 1860 autograph album is comprised of miscellaneous historical documents dating from the early-to-mid 19th century. Includes military summons, letters, trade documents, and assorted signatures. Several pages are blank and many appear to have once held additional documentation and portraits, but only glue on/holes in pages indicate their former presence. Materials not arranged chronologically and appear to have no discernable order.

Charles Roberts was born to Elihu Roberts and Anne Pettit on August 21, 1846. He entered Haverford in 1860, graduating with a bachelor's in 1864. While at Haverford, Roberts served as editor of The Bud and The Collegian, and was the secretary and president of the Everett Society's council. He remained involved with the College following his graduation from Haverford, acting as treasurer and president of the Alumni Association from 1866 to 1869 and 1886 to 1888 respectively, the Manager of Haverford College from 1872 to 1902, and secretary of the Corporation from 1883 to 1886. Professionally, he began working in manufacturing for Whitall, Tatum & Co. in 1864, becoming a partner in the firm from 1869 to 1885. In 1891, he became the vice president of the Spring Garden Insurance Company, later becoming president in 1895. Outside of work and Haverford, Roberts involved himself in community organizations and initiatives, serving as the president of the Apprentices Library Company, director of the Academy of Fine Arts, president of the 8th and 9th Wards Charity Organizations, the vice president of the Fuel Savings Society, overseer of William Penn Charter School, and member of the Philadelphia Common Council (1882-1884, 1886-1902). He also involved himself in a number of academic and cultural societies, acting as a member of the Council of Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Phi Beta Kappa (1898), honorary member of of the Historical Society of Salem, New Jersey and Wisconsin Historical Society, and life member of the American Historical Association, Academy of Natural Sciences of the Horticultural Society, the Zoological Society, the Genealogical Society, the Franklin Institute of the Colonial Society, the Photographic Society, and the Fairmount Park Arts Association. In addition, "his collection of manuscripts and works relating to Friends was unsurpassed in this country, and he had also gathered a large and valuable collection of autographs which was presented to the College in 1902, together with a donation of about $50,000 to found the hall named after him." In regard to his personal life, he married Lucy Branson Longstreth in Philadelphia on November 23, 1892. Charles Roberts died in Philadelphia on January 23, 1902.

Volumes contain signatures of Roberts's peers at Haverford and various historical materials.

Materials have no discernable arrangement.