Call Number:

003.044

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

.06 linear ft. (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Paul Willits Brown diary (HCS.003.044), Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1905 (inclusive)

Creator:

Brown, Paul Willits, 1885-1935

Form:

Diaries

Abstract:

Paul Willits Brown's diary covers the second half of his sophomore year, the summer between his sophomore and junior year, and the first semester of his junior year at Haverford College. Its contents include information concerning his academics, personal life, extracurriculars, athletic activities, and various events on campus.

Paul Willits Brown was born in East Downingtown, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1885, to Ellis Yarnall Brown and Sarah Elizabeth Willits. He entered Haverford College in 1903, graduating in 1907 with a bachelor's and a football "H". Following graduation, Willits worked at the Lukens Iron and Steel Company in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, from 1907 to 1908. From 1908 to 1909, Willits worked at the John R. Evans & Co., Leather in Philadelphia, leaving to work at Wurts, Dulles, & Co., Bankers in Philadelphia from 1909 to 1911. On September 20, 1911, Willits married Mary Aitken Bradbury in Germantown, Pennsylvania, with whom he had three children: Paul W. Jr. (1913), Chapman (1914), and Martha Bradbury (1917). Starting in 1911, Willits worked as a manager in the Bond Department at Elkins, Morris, and Co. in Philadelphia. In his free-time, Willits was the Clerk of Borough Council in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and served as the President of the Downingtown Men's Club. Paul Willits Brown died on October 23, 1935, in Philadelphia.

Before every diary entry, Brown recorded the day's weather status, commenting on the temperature and any significant weather events. While at Haverford, Brown participated in several extracurricular activities and organizations, including Glee Club, Bible-Club, a fraternity, the dance committee, the YMCA, mock trial, and, upon invitation, "Triangle". Additionally, he played many sports, including football, cricket, basketball, and, for the inter-class sports competition, track. Playing for the Haverford football team, Brown competed with Harvard, Georgetown, Lawrenceville, and Howard University. He also attended various events on campus, hearing Supreme Court Justices Brewer and Brown speak at Haverford and participating in the inter-class sports competition. Brown also paid attention to current events, remarking upon developments in the Battle of Mukden in the Sino-Japanese War. Academically, during this period, Brown took biology, Greek, chemistry, Biblical literature, and Latin. While at Haverford, he attended Church or Quaker Meetings most weekends. During the summer, Brown worked at Downingtown Manufacturing Company and played tennis with his family. The end of the diary contains a brief record of payments and receiving money.

This collection is arranged in one volume.