Call Number:

RG5.064

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Jesse Herman Holmes Papers, RG5/064, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1905-1973 (inclusive)

Creator:

Holmes, Jesse Herman, 1864-1942, Wahl, Albert John, 1909-1996, and Swarthmore College

Form:

reminiscences and audiovisual materials

Abstract:

Jesse Herman Holmes (1864-1942), was a Quaker philosophy professor at Swarthmore College, 1900-1937. Holmes was an active participant in AFSC relief after World War I, travelling to oversee work in reconstruction throughout Europe. Holmes was the president of the National Federation of Religious Liberals and an active member of the Socialist party. Collection contains correspondence, biographical data, writings, and sermons. Also audio cassettes of reminiscences of friends, former students, and others, compiled by Albert J. Wahl, and relating to Holmes' life and career as an influential philosophy professor at Swarthmore College (1900-1937).

Jesse Herman Holmes was born 1864 in Iowa, the son of Jesse and Sara Morgan Paxson Holmes. He attended Nebraska State University and John Hopkins University, where he received a Ph.D. in Chemistry. He married Rebecca S. Webb, daughter of William B. and Rebecca [Turner] Webb in 1892. Holmes taught at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. and then George School in Bucks County, PA until 1899, when he set sail for Oxford to prepare to teach philosophy at Swarthmore College. He became Professor of the History of Religion and Philosophy at Swarthmore College in 1899 and Professor of Philosophy in 1922. He continued to teach at the College until 1937. After his retirement, he became professor emeritus. Holmes was an active participant in AFSC relief after World War I, travelling to oversee work in reconstruction throughout Europe. Holmes was the president of the National Federation of Religious Liberals and an active member of the Socialist party.

Jesse and Rebecca had three children, Elizabeth Webb, Robert Sinclair, and Jesse Herman Holmes Jr. [III]. Elizabeth died at 16 of complications from diabetes. The family lived in Swarthmore, and Jesse attended Swarthmore Meeting. He died in 1942.

Collection contains correspondence, biographical data, writings, and sermons. Also audio cassettes of reminiscences of friends, former students, and others, compiled by Albert J. Wahl, and relating to Holmes' life and career as an influential philosophy professor at Swarthmore College (1900-1937).

The collection is divided into four series:

1. Biographical
2. Correspondence
3. Writing
4. Tape records