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Westbrook Free Lectureship Records
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Held at: Wagner Free Institute of Science [Contact Us]1700 W. Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19121
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. 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
Richard Brodhead Westbrook was born February 8, 1820 in Pike County, Pennsylvania. By 1839 he had obtained a license to preach. At 21 he married Sara Hall; they had four children together. He remained a Methodist Episcopal preacher until 1852, but left the Methodist Church that year.
Beginning in 1853 Westbrook served as a Presbyterian pastor in Burlington, NJ. Around the same time he was awarded an honorary Master of Arts (A.M.) degree from Princeton University. In 1854 he was serving as the secretary of the American Sunday School Union. Westbrook received another honorary degree, Doctor of Divinity (D.D.), in 1860 from Washington College (Maryland). Three years later (1863) he received a degree in law from New York University and admittance to the New York State Bar. The following year he relinquished his responsibilities as a Presbyterian minister.
Sometime before 1871 Westbrook purchased 5,000 acres of land in Cambria County, PA. He stopped practicing law in order to mine that property for coal. In 1871 he married Henrietta Payne; they lived together on the Cambria County lands until 1878. By 1876 Westbrook was chairman of the Sonman Land & Coal Company. He sold his mining land and retired to Philadelphia in 1882. His first wife, Hall, died that same year.
In 1885 Westbrook was serving as president of the American Secular Union. That year he also became treasurer of the Wagner (he had been a WFIS trustee since the previous year). He remained a trustee until his death. In his will, signed 1897, Westbrook bestowed $10,000, upon the death of his wife, to establish a trust that would serve as the foundation for the Westbrook Free Lectureship. He wanted WFIS to use the funds to procure lecturers who would discuss evolution, anthropology, geology, astronomy, natural sciences, and ethical questions as they relate to scientific developments; however, his will explicitly stated that all “… strictly religious questions [were] to be excluded.” Richard Brodhead Westbrook died August 21, 1899; the lectures began in 1912.
As a writer, Westbrook produced a number of works: Marriage and Divorce (1883), Man: Whence and Whither? (1884), The Clerical Combination to Influence Civil Legislation on Marriage and Divorce (1887), Girard’s Will and Girard College Theology (1888), A Few Plain Words Regarding Church Taxation (1890), Shall the Bible Be Read in our Public Schools? (1890), The Bible: Whence and What? (1890), and The Eliminator: or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets (1894). Henrietta Payne Westbrook, a graduate of Women’s Medical College in 1880, was author of The Actor’s Child: A Study of Heredity or Anti-Natal Influences (1900) and Westbrook Drives (1902).
Sources:
Sonman Land and Coal Company. The Sonman Land and Coal Co. (Limited). Rare, Am 1876 Sonman, Library Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner Free Institute of Science Biographical Files. Dr. R. B. Westbrook Dead at Pascoag (89-040), August 22, 1899, The Library of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner Free Institute of Science Biographical Files. Excerpt from the will of Richard Brodhead Westbrook, [n.d.], The Library of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner Free Institute of Science Biographical Files. Passed Away-Death of Richard Brodhead Westbrook, D.D., LL.D. (89-040), [n.d.], The Library of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philadelphia, PA.
Wagner Free Institute of Science. 1899. In Memoriam: Richard Brodhead Westbrook. Proceedings of the Occasion of a Memorial Meeting, the Hall of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, 25 October.
The collection contains the administrative records of WFIS’ Westbrook Free Lectureship. Most of the collection documents the Institute’s efforts to obtain and schedule speakers for the yearly lecture series. Materials in the record group include lecture announcements, syllabi, expense records, correspondence and handwritten notes.
The earliest material dates from 1910, and records are as recent as 1990; the bulk of the collection deals with the lectures which occurred between 1912 and 1924, and lectures from 1946 to 1973. A gap in records exists between 1924 and 1946; however, some of the syllabi for lectures which fall within that year are in the Instruction series.
The Lecture Records series is the most in depth. Along with administrative records, full text is available for the 1918 lecture, and notes and synopses are present for other years.
Some of the folders contain handwritten notes on very brittle, brown paper; these records were photocopied on acid free paper and placed with the originals.
Those items in folder 8 which were not already in envelopes were wrapped in folded sheets of micro-chamber paper; most of these records have mold.
Records in folder 11 (1913 Lecture) were humidified and flattened.
Papers in folders 17 and 23 have mold and are decomposing. The original lectures were photocopied on acid free paper to create use/preservation copies; the originals are interleaved with micro-chamber paper.
Papers in folders 27.2 and 28.2 are very brittle. The original records were photocopied on acid free paper to create use/preservation copies; the originals are interleaved with micro-chamber paper.
Folder 30 contains newspaper clippings. The original clippings were photocopied on acid free paper to create use/preservation copies; originals are encapsulated in Mylar.
This collection was processed by Aileen McNamara, 2007.
People
- Hrdlička, Aleš, 1869-1943
- Jastrow, Morris, 1861-1921
- Jennings, H.S. (Herbert Spencer), 1868-1947
- Mead, Margaret, 1901-1978
- Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946
- Scott, William Berryman, 1858-1947
- Simpson, George Gaylord, 1902-1984
- Westbrook, Richard B., (Richard Brodhead)
- Wiley, Harvey W. (Harvey Washington), 1844-1930
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Wagner Free Institute of Science
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid prepared by Aileen McNamara
- Finding Aid Date
- November 2007
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Library with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Collection Inventory
Four folders; Syllabi and Announcements arranged chronologically; materials provide name of lecturer and time, place and topic of lecture.
Two folders; assorted materials arranged chronologically within folders; materials provide scientific ideas of the day and summaries of lecture audiences.
Magazine clippings, handwritten notes, agenda, course description, publisher circulars
Annotated bulletin and lists of all-time highs
Three folders and three ledger books (housed separately); assorted materials arranged chronologically within folders; materials provide information on expenditures related to lectures.
Correspondence, Schedule of Distribution, list of books donated
Check stubs, check book, account book (Enveloped)
Cancelled check, vouchers, purchase orders, expense report, bills, receipts
These three ledger books were originally part of Accession 99-109, but were moved to 93-003 in July 2010.
Forty-five folders; folders arranged chronologically beginning with the earliest lecture; folder contents arranged chronologically beginning with the most recent record. Most materials are correspondence related to the arrangement of the lecture; however, syllabi and lecture synopses provide brief summaries of the lectures. Full copy is available for the 1918 lectures.
Correspondence, promotional materials, and syllabus
Ancient Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria, Morris Jastrow, Professor of Semitic Languages, University of Pennsylvania
Lecture dates: February 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 1912
Correspondence, promotional materials, Price lecture synopsis, and syllabus
Conservation of Natural Resources, Gifford Pinchot, President, National Conservation Association; Marshall O. Leighton, Cheif Hydrographer, US Geological Survey; Overton W. Price, Vice President and Treasurer, National Conservation Association; and Joseph A. Holmes, Director, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines
Lecture dates: January 13, 25, February 1, 8, 1913
(Humidified and flattened: July 2007)
Correspondence
The Theory of Evolution, William Berryman Scott, Blair Professor of Geology and Paleontology, Princeton University
Lecture dates: February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 1914
Correspondence
Correspondence, promotional materials, syllabus
Aspects of Modern Astronomy, John Anthony Miller, Mathematics and Astronomy Professor, Swarthmore College
Lecture dates: February 19, 26, March 4, 11, 21, 1914
Correspondence ( re: Jennings publication), promotional materials, syllabus
Life, Death and Reproduction, Heredity and Evolution in the Simplest Organisms, H.S. Jennings, Henry Walters Professor of Zoology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Lecture dates: March 6, 13, 20, 27, 1917
Preservation copy of Lecture I - Use Copy
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Definition of Food, Characters of Food, Analysis of Foods, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 5, 1918
Original Lecture I - Do Not Use ( Mold; interleaving: July 2007)
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Definition of Food, Characters of Food, Analysis of Foods, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 5, 1918
Preservation Copy of Lecture II - Use Copy
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Quantities of Food, Calories, Metabolism, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 12, 1918
Original Lecture II - Do Not Use ( mold)
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Quantities of Food, Calories, Metabolism, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 12, 1918
Preservation Copy of Lecture III - Use Copy
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Food Production, Food Industries, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 19, 1918
Original Lecture III - Do Not Use ( mold)
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Food Production, Food Industries, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 19, 1918
Preservation Copy of Lecture IV - Use Copy
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Food Conservation, Relation of Food to Health, Food and Efficiency, Food Economy, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 26, 1918
Original Lecture IV - Do Not Use ( Mold; Interleaving: July 2007)
The Chemistry, Nutritive Value and Economy of Foods: Food Conservation, Relation of Food to Health, Food and Efficiency, Food Economy, Harvey W. Wiley, Director, Bureau of Foods, Sanitation and Health, Good Housekeeping, Washington DC
Lecture date: March 26, 1918
Correspondence, promotional materials, syllabus
The Origin and Antiquity of the American Indian, Alex Hrdlicka, Curator, Division of Physical Anthropology, U.S. National Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
Lecture dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29, 1919
Correspondence, promotional materials, lecture synopses
Chemistry and Civilization, Allerton S. Cushman, Director, Institute of Industrial Research, Inc., Washington DC; Ex-Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance Department, USA
Lecture dates: March 13, 20, 27, and April 3, 1920
Correspondence, syllabi
The Distribution of American Indian Traits, Clark Wissler, Curator-in-Chief, Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Lecture dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23, 1924
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, lecture figures, memos, lecture synopses
Electrical Communications - Its Roots and Branches, J. Owen Perrine, Assistant Vice President, American Telephone and Telegraph, Co., New York, NY
Lecture dates: April 12, 18, 26, 1946
Preservation copy of lecture notes - Use Copy
Original Lecture Notes - Do Not Use ( Brittle; Interleaving: July 2007)
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
The Glacial Ages, Richard Foster Flint, Professor, Yale University, Department of Geology, New Haven, CT
Lecture dates: April 11, 12, 18, 1947
Preservation copy of lecture notes - Use Copy
Original lecture notes - Do Not Use ( Brittle; Interleaving: July 2007)
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, hnadwritten notes, lecture synopses
High Speed Aerodynamics and Jet Propulsions, Courtland D. Perkins, Professor, Princeton University, School of Engineering, Princeton, NJ
Lecture dates: April 22, 29, 30, 1948
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, press release, lecture synopses ( Encapsulated clippings: July 2007)
Earth's Resources and Man's Needs, Kirtley F. Mather, Professor, Harvard University, Geological Museum, Department of Geology and Geography, Cambridge, MA
Lecture dates: April 14, 21, 28, 1949
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
Evolution and the History of Life, George Gaylord Simpson, Chairman, Department of Geology and Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Lecture Dates: April 6, 13, 20, 1950
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, WFIS Bulletin, lecture synopses
Exploration of the Atlantic Ocean Basin Maurice Ewing, Columbia University, Department of Geology, LaMont Geological Survey, Palisades, NY
Lecture dates: April 5, 12, 19, 1951
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, biographical notes, brief lecture notes
Radiations: Terrestrial, Atomic, and Cosmic, William F.G. Swann, Director, Bartol Research Foundation of the Franklin Institute, Whittier Place, Swarthmore, PA
Lecture dates: April 3, 10, 17, 1952
Correspondence, promotional materials, biographical notes, 2002 example of Mead's signature, lecture synopses
Cultural Background for Human Invention, Margaret Mead, Associate Curator of Ethnology, The American Museum of Natural History, Department of Anthropology, New York, NY
Lecture dates: April 16, 30, and May 1, 1953
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, biographical notes
Plant Biology and Man's Progress, Harley H. Bartlett, Professor of Botany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Lecture dates: April 21, 28, 29, 1954
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopy, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
Heredity and the Human Community, Leslie C. Dunn, Director, The Institute for the Study of Human Variation and for Research on the Biological Factors Causing Evolutionary Changes in Populations, Columbia University, Department of Zoology, New York, NY
Lecture dates: April 14, 21, 28, 1955
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
Climate and the Modern World, Charles W. Thornthwaite, Director, The Laboratory of Climatology, Elmer, NJ
Lecture dates: April 12, 19, 26, 1956
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, biographical notes, lecture synopses
Scientific Progress and Human Needs, William Vogt, National Director, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., New York, NY; George R. Seidel, Technical Advisor, EI du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE; and Maria Telkes, Project Director, New York University, College of Engineering, New York, NY
Lecture dates: April 4, 11, 18, 1957
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopy, biographical notes
The Nature of Human Nature, Hadley Cantril, Senior Counsellor, The Institute for International Social Research, Princeton, NJ
Lecture dates: April 3, 10, 17, 1958
Correspondence, promotional materials
Evolution: From the Cosmos to Man, Harlow Shapley, Director, Harvard College Observatory, Harvard University, Department of Astronomy, Cambridge, MA; Conway Zirkle, Professor of Botany, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; and William L. Straus, Jr., Professor of Anatomy and Physical Anthropology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Baltimore, MD
Lecture dates: April 2, 9, 16, 1959
Correspondence, promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes
Early Man, Carleton S. Coon, Professor of Anthropology, The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; and William W. Howells, Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University, Department of Anthropology, Peabody Museum, Cambridge, MA
Lecture dates: April 21, 28, 1960
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes
Prospects of the Space Age, Kurt R. Stehling, Scientist, Office of Program Planning and Evaluation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington DC
Lecture dates: March 30, and April 6, 13, 1961
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, brief lecture notes
Problems of the Earth's Crust, Walter H. Bucher, Emeritus Professor of Geology, Columbia University, New York, NY; Consultant, Humble Oil & Refining Company, Houston, TX
Correspondence ( re: theft at WFIS), promotional materials, preservation photocopies, handwritten notes, biographical notes
The Study of Human Behavior in Disaster, George W. Baker, Associate Program Director for Life and Social Sciences Facilities, Office of Institutional Programs, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC and Technical Director, Disaser Researach Group, Division of Anthropology and Psychology, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, Washington, DC; Ira A. Cisin, Director, Social Studies Project, George Washington University, Washington, DC; John P. Gillin, Research Professor, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Anthropology, Pittsbugh, PA and U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station, Department of the Navy, China Lake, CA
Lecture dates: April 11, 18, 25, 1963
Correspondence, handwritten notes, Oliver Wendell Holmes Association (OWHA) statment of purpose, director's report, promotional materials, sign-in sheet, attendance list
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
The Impact of Science and Technology on Modern Life, Kirtley F. Mather, President, OWHA, New York, NY; retired professor, Harvard University, Geological Museum, Department of Geology and Geography, Cambridge, MA
Lecture Dates: October 18, 19, 20, 1966 (at Empire Room, Wanamaker's, Philadelphia, PA)
Correspondence, contact information, handwritten notes
Correspondence, promotional materials, director's report, handwritten notes, lecture synopses
Galaxies and Mankind, Harlow Shapley, former director, Harvard College Observatory, Harvard University, Department of Astronomy, Cambridge, MA; President, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Lecture dates: October 17, 18, 19, 1967 (at Empire Room, Wanamaker's, Philadelphia, PA)
Correspondence, purpose of OWHA, OWHA questionnaires, handwritten notes, attendance list
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes
Identification of Sedimentary Environments in Reservoir Sandstones, Robert Berg, Lecturer, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, OK; Professor, Texas A&M University, Department of Geology, College Station, TX
Lecture dates: March 6, 1972 (at Bryn Mawr College Science Center, Bryn Mawr, PA)
Correspondence, promotional materials, handwritten notes, biographical notes, lecture synopses
What and Where are those UFOs? Donald M. Menzel, Paine Professor of Practical Astronomy, Harvard College, Cambridge, MA; Research Scientist, Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institute, Cambridge, MA
Lecture dates: November 8, 1973 (at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Northeast Regional Library, Philadelphia, PA)