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Paul M. Pearson (Paul Martin) Papers

Notifications

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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

Call Number:
RG5.121
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
11 linear ft. (22 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], Paul M. Pearson Papers, RG 5/121, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1890-2011 (bulk 1890-1938) (inclusive)
Creator:
Pearson, Paul M. (Paul Martin), 1871-1938, Pearson, Drew, 1897-1969, Swarthmore Chautauqua Association, United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Swarthmore College
Form:
speeches (documents)
Abstract:
Paul M. Pearson (1871-1938) was a noted Quaker educator, editor, and speaker, a professor of Public Speaking at Swarthmore College, the first civilian governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, an assistant director of the U.S. Housing Authority, and a leading founder and executive in the Chautauqua movement. The collection contains biographical and genealogical materials, personal correspondence (1894-1938), writings (published and manuscript), extensive material on the Swarthmore Chautauqua as well as papers relating to his work with the National Community Foundation, the Virgin Islands, and U.S. Housing Authority. There are also a small number of papers concerning Drew Pearson (1897-1969), his son and a syndicated national columnist.

Paul M. Pearson (1871-1938) was a noted Quaker educator and speaker, governor of the Virgin Islands, assistant director of the U.S. Housing Authority, and a leading founder and executive of the Chautauqua movement.

Paul M. Pearson was born on a farm in Illinois on Oct. 22, 1871, raised a Methodist, and graduated from Baker University in 1891. While in college, Pearson developed his skill in "platform work" - lectures and recitals. He first traveled on the Methodist ministry circuit and then as a lyceum speaker. He also studied at Harvard University and Northwestern. In 1896, he married Edna Wolfe, and the couple had four children: Andrew, Leon, Barbara, and Ellen. The eldest was the well-known columnist Drew Pearson. Beginning in 1902, Paul Pearson taught public speaking at Swarthmore College. In 1904 he became the proprietor and editor of the magazine Talent, a magazine of the lyceum movement. In 1905, he established The Speaker, a magazine on successful public reading. In 1906, he and his family became members of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting.

In 1912, Pearson founded Swarthmore Chautauqua Association, a non-profit enterprise financially backed by private investors, many of whom were Quakers. The Association at its peak operated about 2,000 Chautauqua in the smaller towns along the eastern seaboard. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chautauqua movement provided popular education along with entertainment in the form of concerts, lectures, and the like, generally travelling on a circuit to small towns to provide cultural and educational enrichment. Pearson resigned his position as head of the Public Speaking Department at Swarthmore College to devote full time to Chautauqua. He also was active in the Chautauqua at the national level and served as President of the International Lyceum and Chautauqua Association. In 1930, due to economic pressures and the changing life styles of Americans, the Swarthmore Chautauqua ceased operation, and Pearson, who had loaned money to the Association, was forced to declare personal bankruptcy.

In 1931, Paul M. Pearson was appointed by President Herbert Hoover to serve as the first civilian governor of the Virgin Islands. The U.S. had purchased the Islands in 1917 from Denmark in order to establish a navy base in the Caribbean. Pearson was considered a non-partisan appointment, but soon became embroiled in Island and Washington politics which lead to charges of mismanagement. In 1935 President Franklin Roosevelt appointed him to the post of Assistant U. S. Housing Director in charge of public housing, then a very new government program. He died on March 26, 1938, while on a business trip to California to urge passage of a law to permit public housing in that State.

The collection contains the papers of Paul M. Pearson, noted Quaker lecturer, editor, and civic leader. Included are biographical and genealogical materials, personal and business correspondence, writings, extensive material on the Swarthmore Chautauqua, as well as papers relating to his work with the National Community Foundation, the Virgin Islands, and U.S. Housing Authority. There are also a small number of papers concerning Drew Pearson (1897-1969), his son and a syndicated national columnist.

The collection is divided into seven series:

  1. Biographical and genealogical
  2. Personal correspondence, arranged chronologically
  3. Writings, manuscript and printed
  4. Swarthmore Chautauqua
  5. National Community Foundation and Oglebay Park and Institute
  6. Virgin Islands
  7. Miscellaneous, including Pearson's work as Assistant Director of Housing and memorabilia.

Donor: Barbara Pearson Lange and Ellen Pearson Fogg, daughters of Paul Pearson, 1972-1978

Donor: Additional Chautauqua pictures, gift of Alice S. Jenkins, 1978

Donor: Additional essays and photo albums, gift of Julie Hall, 2004

Donor: Barbara and David Grove, 2011

Processed by FHL staff in 1973. Chautauqua photographs given to FHL in 1978 by Alice S. Jenkins were added to this collection.

With the gift of transcripts of the Virgin Island letters in 2011, FHL staff determined to correct the storage of earlier processing and additions. In 2012, the collection was rehoused in acid-free folders and a more detailed inventory created. Photographs were consolidated and transferred to FHL Picture Collections.

Pearson's correspondence while Assistant Director for Housing was integrated into Ser. 1: Personal Correspondence because it overlaps with correspondence previously filed in that series. Ser. 7: Miscellaneous combines memorabilia, reference material collected by Pearson for his lectures, and papers concerning his son, Drew Pearson, compiled by the donors.

See also:

  1. RG 5 Charles F. Jenkins Papers, Ser.1, Box 1, folder: Paul Pearson (includes excerpts from a history of the Danish West Indies)
  2. See Also: RG4, Friends Historical Library, Tolles Papers, Ser.8.
  3. See also Edith Williams Way, Chautauqua notebook and daily program, 1914, RG 6, Swarthmore College Archives

Transcriptions of the Virgin Island family letters have been bound and catalogued with FHL books.

Pictures were transferred to FHL Pictures, Pearson Family

The following material, originally part of the collection, has been removed and recatalogued with FHL books:

  1. Morally We Roll Along, Gay Mac Laren, Boston, Little Brown and Co., 1938.
  2. Culture Under Canvas: The Story of Tent Chautauqua, by Harry P. Harrison as told to Karl Detzer, Hastings House, Publishers, New York, 1958.
  3. Swarthmore Chautauqua: An Adult Education Enterprise, by George J. Dillavou, Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Education, University of Chicago, March 1970.

People
Subject
Place

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
FHL staff
Finding Aid Date
1973
Sponsor
Encoding made possible by a grant by the Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation to the Philadelphia Consortium of Special Collections Libraries
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Some of the items in this collection may be protected by copyright. The user is solely responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder or their heirs/assigns to reuse, publish, or reproduce relevant items beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to the law. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/.

Collection Inventory

Chronology of the family, written 1934 (carbon typescript and acid-free copy) and manuscript. Memoirs., 1934.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Obituaries, 1938.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Condolence letters to Edna Wolfe Pearson, folder 1, 1938.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Condolence letters to Edna Wolfe Pearson , folder 2, 1938.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Condolence letters to Drew Pearson, folder 1, 1938.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Condolence letters Drew Pearson, folder 2, and his appreciative responses, 1938.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate and memorial papers, 1938-1940.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Biographical and genealogical.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Arranged chronologically, and undated. Some are photocopies. Extracts of the early correspondence, 1894-1930, are published in Man of Chautauqua and his Caravans of Culture by Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey (2001). The typed family correspondence (fragile carbons) March 1931- August 1935 in the form of a diary of Pearson's term of Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands were transcribed in 2011. A bound copy is available in the FHL book collection.

Paul M. Pearson was appointed Assistant U. S. Housing Director by Franklin D. Roosevelt in July 1935. By the fall of 1935, he was traveling extensively on the job, and he died of a stroke in March 1938 in California while working to allow public housing in the State.

Personal correspondence, 1894-1899.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Pearson was named Pearl Martin Pearson and was known as Pearl until he took a job with Swarthmore College in 1902. After graduating from Baker University in Kansas in 1891, he taught school for two years and also traveled as a minister in the Methodist church circuit. He also began to develop lecture recitals and went to graduate school at Northwestern University in 1893-1894 where he got a job as an instructor. In June 1896 in married Edna Wolfe, also a Baker graduate. A t son, Andrew Pearson was born Dec. 1897 and a second son Leon in 1899

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Pearson expanded his lecture circuit and introduced drama to the platform

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1901-1902, 6 mo.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

In 1901, Pearson took a leave of absence to study at Harvard.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1902, 7-8 mo.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during speaking circuit,

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1902, 9--12 mo.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Sept 1902 Person began to work for Swarthmore College, teaching Public Speaking. With the move to Swarthmore, he changed his name to Paul. Letters contain interesting descriptions of the College and faculty of that period

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1903, 1-6 mo.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Most written during Chautauqua circuit; while teaching at Swarthmore, Pearson travelled on the circuit December-January as well as during the summer months

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1903, 7-12 mo.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit. Pearson became the editor of the trade magazine Talent in an effort to increase his income

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1904.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1905.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1906-1907.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1908.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Family based in Evanston for summer circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1909.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit; correspondence on Talent, Pearson Bros., letterhead

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1910, 1-6 mo.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters, most during Chautauqua circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1910, 7 mo 3-24.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Barbara Pearson was born July 5, and a few days later, Paul Pearson left for Chautauqua in Mid-West

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1910, 7 mo-8/9.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Chautauqua circuit

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1910, 8 mo 10- 28.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

In a letter to Edna, Paul explains how important his work is to him, even as it keeps him away from home

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1911, 7 mo.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Traveling in July, returned to Swarthmore to organize Swarthmore Chautauqua

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1911, 12 mo - 1912, 1 mo.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Travel in Dec.- Jan. The Swarthmore Chautauqua had its first circuit in the summer of 1912

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1914.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

In July 1913, a second daughter, Ellen, was born, and the family moved from the Benjamin West House on the campus to 516 Walnut Lane. The family was active in the Chautauqua - letters from Paul and sons to Edna

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1905-1907?.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Undated

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1908-1909?.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Undated

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Edna's letter concerning miscarriage. She suffered multiple miscarriages between 1901 and 1910.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1908-1913.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with Josephine Bruer. She was a spiritualist from Kansas

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 1

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 2

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 3

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 4

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 4

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1900-1910.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Undated, folder 6

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1918-1929.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, many received by Drew Pearson

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1919-1920.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters received by Leon Pearson, from his father, brother, and others

Physical Description

1 folder

50th birthday celebration, 1921, 10 mo 22.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Cards and poem

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1930.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, most to Drew Pearson. In April 3 letter, his father tells him about the closing the Swarthmore Chautauqua and that he was looking for a job. In early 1931 he was appointed the first civilian governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands by President Hoover. The President was a friend of Paul's older brother, Andrew C. Pearson.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1931.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, largely typed carbons by Paul Pearson, updates from the Virgin Island, Lacking March 10-16. See transcript for complete sequence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Edna Pearson letters to Grace Mader, Swarthmore, 1931-1937, n.d.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

ALsS and typed carbons of "round robin" letters describe her life in the Virgin Islands. Grace was a good friend of Edna, and she gave the letters to Barbara Pearson Lange in 1973.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1932.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, largely typed carbons by Paul Pearson, updates from the Virgin Island. See transcript for complete sequence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1933.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, largely typed carbons by Paul Pearson, updates from the Virgin Island. See transcript for complete sequence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1934.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, largely typed carbons by Paul Pearson, updates from the Virgin Island. See transcript for complete sequence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1935.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family correspondence, largely typed carbons by Paul Pearson. See transcript for complete sequence through May, concerning Virgin Islands and subsequent inquiry. In the summer of 1935 he was appointed assistant director of the U. S. Housing by President Roosevelt.

Physical Description

1 folder

Assistant Director of Housing correspondence, 1935.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Mostly personal correspondence including follow-up for his governorship and settling into his new position in Washington, D.C.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1936.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family and other correspondence

Physical Description

1 folder

Assistant Director of Housing correspondence, 1936.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Mostly personal correspondence including follow-up for his governorship and requests of help in finding employment

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1937.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family and other correspondence including classmates from Baker. Pearson was working for U.S. Housing Authority and traveling extensively.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1937.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Small amount of correspondence. Carbon copy of a letter he sent describing his duties as Assistant to the Director of Housing.

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal correspondence, 1938.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Family and other correspondence. Pearson suffered a stroke in March while in California, pushing for passage of a bill to permit public housing, and he died there on March 26.

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson correspondence, 1918-1965, n.d.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Personal correspondence between Drew Pearson and family friends. Includes ALS from his mother from the Virgin Islands

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Includes articles, speeches, sermons, a short diary and copies of the publications Paul Pearson produced. Note that Family Correspondence 1931-1935 during Pearson's term as Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands is in the form of a diary.

Pearson became interested in "platform work" - recitations and speeches - while still in College. This series includes essays on a variety of topics that he used in his presentations and often edited for publication.

Diary of trip to Europe.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Trip to contact prospects for Chautauqua lecturers

Physical Description

1 folder

Speeches and sermons.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Various topics, religious, general, housing

Physical Description

1 folder

Speeches and sermons.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Various topics, religious, general, Chautauqua and Lyceum

Physical Description

1 folder

Speeches and sermons.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Various topics

Physical Description

1 folder

Writings: Humor.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Published and manuscript

Physical Description

1 folder

Dickens.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Reprint from Talent and ms notes for article on Dunbar (1872-1906), African-American poet

Physical Description

1 folder

Emerson.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms and typed copies

Physical Description

1 folder

Eugene Field.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms and typed essays on Field (1850-1895), American writer

Physical Description

1 folder

Joel Harris, Ruth Stuart.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms and typed essays

Physical Description

1 folder

Kipling.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms. and clippings

Physical Description

1 folder

Longfellow.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Tennyson.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms. and typed

Physical Description

1 folder

Twain.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms and a typed reading of Twain's work

Physical Description

1 folder

Hymns.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms essays

Physical Description

1 folder

Lyceum/Chautauqua movement.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Typed ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Swarthmore Monthly Meeting sermon.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Typed ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Teaching reading.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Recitation and Vocabulary.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Lectures on teaching.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Notes of teaching.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Essays on Whittier and Bryant.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Aristotle.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Speech at Commencement (?).
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

What is the greatest art in the world?.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Typed ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Notes on Othello.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Edgar Allen Poe.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms essay and annotated book of short stories

Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Brocken Brown.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms essay on Brown, Quaker novelist

Physical Description

1 folder

Essays on poets.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Essays on humorist.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

James Whitcomb Riley.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Immortality.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Walt Whitman.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

James Russell Lowell.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ms and typed essays, annotated book of poetry

Physical Description

1 folder

Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Women and humor, "new woman," etc.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Ms

Physical Description

1 folder

Published essays.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Epworth Herald, Ideals

Physical Description

1 folder

Talent, Vol 1-4.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Talent, Vols. 5-7.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Talent.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Talent.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Talent; Speaker.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes: Talent, 1907-1908; Speaker, 1905

Physical Description

1 folder

Lyceum Magazine.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Speaker.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Intercollegiate Debates,.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Bound volumes

Physical Description

1 folder

Charter of the Swarthmore Chautauqua Association.
Box ++
Scope and Contents

Stored in chart case

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Award given to Pearson by the Chautauqua Association of Pennsylvania

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Concerning speakers and letters of recommendation for Pearson

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

European trip to arrange for speakers

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence during European trips to arrange for lecturers.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Interesting typed letter with his impression of post-War Germany

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Pearson's 50th birthday; letters of introduction for Charles Jenkins

Physical Description

1 folder

Remarks on economics of the Chautauqua.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Expenses and advantages

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous and increasing financial problems. Pearson loaned money to the Association. Form letter notifying of assignment to creditors

Physical Description

1 folder

Memorials to Chautauqua workers.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Ralph Bingham, Robert Giles

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Mid-West Chautauqua circuit failure, inquiry concerning a book on Chautauqua

Physical Description

1 folder

End of the circulating Chautauqua's.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and memos

Physical Description

1 folder

Essays on Chautauqua.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Typed carbons, "Chautauqua's Challenge" (likely ca. 1929) and "Chautauqua as I See It" by Walter J. Millard

Physical Description

1 folder

Memos, including Fall Festival Talent.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

"Some things we have learned," (1922), talent at Fall Festivals, 1913-1921

Physical Description

1 folder

Reports. guidelines.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Includes list of performers, 1914-1921, superintendent's report, bulletins on various issues

Physical Description

1 folder

Organizer's Handbook.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Structure, administration, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Programs and brochures.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Chautauqua Joy Night (1913), 10th Anniversary (1921) and 1924 programs; brochures and announcements

Physical Description

1 folder

Schedules.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Swarthmore Chautauqua itineraries'

Physical Description

1 folder

Chautauqua notebook.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Small loose-leaf notebook kept by Pearson on festivals and other details

Physical Description

1 folder

Swarthmore Chautauqua Atlas.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Bound atlas of the northeast/near Midwest, used for planning circuits

Physical Description

1 folder

Banquet in honor of Paul Pearson.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

For his contribution to Chautauqua. Speeches and program

Physical Description

1 folder

Banquet in honor of Paul Pearson.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

For his contribution to Chautauqua. Regrets and congratulations

Physical Description

1 folder

"Paul M. Pearson: A Character Sketch".
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Published pamphlet by Gurdon Blodgett Jones, in appreciation of Pearson's skill at recital and his work with Chautauqua

Physical Description

1 folder

Paul Pearson miscellaneous.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Poster advertising his lecture/recitals, Talent magazine

Physical Description

1 folder

Articles, press releases.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Articles specific to Swarthmore Chautauqua and Chautauqua general. Includes issues of Chautauqua Courier, published in Swarthmore (1912, 1922)

Physical Description

1 folder

Clippings.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Chautauqua news and reports on programs, people. Swarthmorean article reports the liquidation sale, July 1931.

Physical Description

1 folder

"This Quaker Professor Entertains Millions of People".
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Article by John T. Flynn in The American Magazine

Physical Description

1 folder

General clippings.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

On Chautauquas and related subjects (Fosdick essay)

Physical Description

1 folder

Notes for book.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Notes for proposed book on Chautauqua

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances: New Jersey Guarantors.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Lists of guarantors for specific locations

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances: New York Guarantors.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Lists of guarantors for specific locations

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances: Virginia Guarantors.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Lists of guarantors for specific locations

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances: Swarthmore Endowment fund.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Lists of subscribers, Pearson's assignment of life insurance, special meeting voting to liquidate assets

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Finances, Guarantors.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Agreements, lists

Physical Description

1 folder

Barbara Pearson Lange's draft of chapter on Chautauqua for publications Gates to Swarthmore.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Rough typed draft with editing

Physical Description

1 folder

Who's Who in the Lyceum.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

Book edited by A. Augustus Wright, published by the Pearson brothers.

Physical Description

1 folder

Pictures.
Scope and Contents

Removed to PA

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The National Community Foundation was founded in 1927 to preserve the mission of the lyceum and Chautauqua through an endowment fund to promote popular education and cultural enrichment. It was discontinued in 1930.

Paul Pearson became involved with the Oglebay Park and Institute in 1930 on the request of Crispin Oglebay to review the educational/recreation plan for the Park. Located outside Wheeling, West Virginia, the Park is a self supporting municipal park located on a property bequeathed by Earl W. Oglebay to the city of Wheeling for public recreation.

National Community Foundation Proposed Plan.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Details of plan to purchase and consolidate lyceum and Chautauqua organizations to operate as a single organization in order to promote adult education. Includes map of lyceum and Chautauqua towns, letters of support, and goals

Physical Description

1 folder

"The Republic of Tomorrow" and committees.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Statement issued by the National Community Foundation

Physical Description

1 folder

National Community Foundation Publicity, memos and notes.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Publicity to announce revitalization of Chautauqua into a national model, plans for programs, notes

Physical Description

1 folder

National Community Foundation Planning memos.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Proposed areas of study

Physical Description

1 folder

National Community Foundation Planning memos.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Proposed programs

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

TLS to son Drew concerning failure of the Foundation; letters to creditors

Physical Description

1 folder

National Community Foundation Worker's Manual.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Manual of activities, removed from rusted loose-leaf binder labeled Louise B. Fisher. Section 2, NY, NY

Physical Description

1 folder

Oglebay Park Report.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Report presented by Paul M. Pearson and supporting correspondence and material

Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs.
Scope and Contents

Photographs with captions removed to PA

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Correspondence is largely carbon copies of letters send by Paul Pearson as Governor.

Virgin Islands legal, 1931-1934, n.d.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Carbons and prints copies of Executive Order of Herbert Hoover placing the government of the Virgin Islands under the Department of the Interior. Subsequent reports, memos, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1931.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Personnel and other official correspondence. Reflects the controversies that Pearson faced upon arriving in March 1931, including issues with Herbert D. Brown and Office of Efficiency.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1932.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Economic issues and lack of support from Quakers in the States who had endorsed him for the position

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1933.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Economic issues and political controversies

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1934 1mo-7 mo.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Pearson's status becomes more controversial as he declares personal bankruptcy due to Swarthmore Chautauqua debt and endorses the manufacture of rum in the Virgin Island to save the economy. His assistant, Paul C. Yates, makes claims to the press about Pearson and mismanagement

Physical Description

1 folder

Excerpts from family letters (photocopies), 1931-1934.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of excerpts of family letters, created as a diary. Original carbons copies stored in Series. 2 Family Correspondence. Transcript of complete set catalogued in FHL books

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1934 8 mo-12.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Pearson accused by Yates of mismanagement and being a Republican reactionary; calls for his resignation

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1935 1 mo - 7 mo.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Senate hearings on corruption in U.S Virgin Islands, claims and counter-claims.

Physical Description

1 folder

Roosevelt, Franklin D. to Pearson, Paul M., 1935 7 mo 23.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

TLS, confirming that no charges against Pearson have held, but offers him to transfer to another area of service, that being Assistant Director of Housing in charge of public welfare

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1935 7 mo - 12 mo.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Pearson returned to the U.S., and Lawrence William Cramer, formerly Lieutenant Governor, replaced him as Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Physical Description

1 folder

Job applications, 1931.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Resumes of applicants for employment.

Physical Description

1 folder

Pearson, Drew to Pearson, Paul, 1934.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Carbons of TLs from Drew to his father and others. Updates on press, contacts in D.C. and encouragement

Physical Description

1 folder

Pearson, Drew to Pearson, Paul, 1935.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Carbons of TLs from Drew to his father and others. Updates on press, contacts in D.C. and words of encouragement

Physical Description

1 folder

Speeches, as Governor, 1931-1932.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Speeches and addresses given in, or about, the Virgin Islands.

Physical Description

1 folder

Speeches, as Governor, 1933-1934, n.d.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Speeches and addresses given in, or about, the Virgin Islands.

Physical Description

1 folder

Summer Institute of Progressive Education, 1933.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Correspondence concerning proposed summer program sponsored by the Progressive Education Association

Physical Description

1 folder

Virgin Islands financial, 1931-1936.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Reports and receipts, personal and general

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal bankruptcy, 1930-1932.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and financial reports related to Pearson's debts due to the failure of the Swarthmore Chautauqua Associations

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal bankruptcy, insurance, 1933-1935.
Box 18
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and financial reports, insurance policies

Physical Description

1 folder

Press releases, 1931-1935.
Box 19
Scope and Contents

Press reports, editorials reflecting the hyperbole of the Senate investigation, and President Roosevelt's intervention

Physical Description

1 folder

Clippings, 1931.
Box 19
Scope and Contents

Clipping organized and mounted: Appointment; Hoover's visit, and miscellaneous.

Physical Description

1 folder

Clippings, 1931.
Box 19
Scope and Contents

Loose clippings

Physical Description

1 folder

Senate hearing, 1935.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Reports describing persons involved, testimonies, etc. , including a 1938 copy of telegram sent by Senator Tydings in 1935

Physical Description

1 folder

McIntosh case, 1934-1935.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

The McIntosh case involving Leonard W. McIntosh, accused of theft, and the handling of the case by T. Webber Wilson.

Physical Description

1 folder

Morris Davis, 1934-1935.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Davis was one of the leaders in the opposition waged against Pearson and a friend of Judge T. Webber Wilson. Includes copies of his speeches calling for ouster of Pearson

Physical Description

1 folder

Eli Baer, Paul Yates, 1934-1935.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Baer had been appointed attorney general for the Virgin Islands in 1932, but was soon dismissed, as was Yates who had been appointed administrative assistant to the Governor. The charges that Yates made led to the Congressional investigation. Includes copies of statements and Baer's request to be re-instated.

Physical Description

1 folder

Annual reports, 1928-1934.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Published: 1928, 1932, fiscal years 1932, 1933, 1934, and summary 1934.

Physical Description

1 folder

Reports, 1931-1935.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Reports on a variety of subjects including President Hoover's visit, education, and report to Advisory Council

Physical Description

1 folder

Reports, n.d.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Undated reports on various subjects including health care, education, hurricane damage

Physical Description

1 folder

"Four Years in the Virgin Islands", 1935, 5 mo 1.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Report, under the administration of the Department of the Interior, carbon copy

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous papers, 1930-1935, n.d.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Editorials, tourism, historical research, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Articles, 1934-1935, 1952.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Published articles on the Virgin Islands

Physical Description

1 folder

"Paul M. Pearson: Governor U.S. Virgin Islands", 2011.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Power point presentation by Barbara Grove (granddaughter of Paul M. Pearson) and her husband, David Grove. St. John

Physical Description

1 folder

Grove CDs, supporting papers.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Clippings, cds containing the Groves' lecture in St. John, 2011, and transcribed letters. A hard copy of the Virgin Island Family letters is bound and cataloged in FHL books

Physical Description

1 folder

Excerpts from family letters, 1931-1934.
Box 20
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of excerpts

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1930-1931.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1932.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order. Includes Pearson's radio address on June 20 and July 4th address

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1933.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order, including published addresses

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1934.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order, including published addresses

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1935.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order, including published addresses

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected clippings, articles, 1936-1952, n.d.
Box 21
Scope and Contents

Collected clippings in chronological order, including published addresses

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Note: Integrates memorabilia, reference material collected by Pearson for his lectures, papers concerning his son, Drew Pearson, which were compiled by the donors.

Passport and other memorabilia.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

1910 Swarthmore College commencement program, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Paul M. Pearson Autograph album, 1930.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Collected for Chautauqua colleagues

Physical Description

1 folder

Leon Pearson memorabilia, 1910-.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Draft of one act play, "The Open Road;" lecture announcement, school report cards, miscellaneous

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson writings, 1919, n.d.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Includes his Commencement speech (1919) and early essays

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson memorabilia, 1919-1946.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Includes articles by and about him, flyer for is illustrated lecture on Southern Europe, College honors

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson article, 1956.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

"Confessions of An S.O.B." in the Saturday Evening Post

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson obituaries, 1969.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Eulogies and announcements

Physical Description

1 folder

Goose Creek Monthly Meeting parody, 1922.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Parody on a travelling minister's journal of his visits by William W. Speakman (witty references to Charles F. Jenkins, William I. Hull, Jesse Holmes, J. Russell Hayes, Paul Pearson, William C. Sproul, and their wives)

Physical Description

1 folder

Memorial read at funeral of Mrs. Richards, Indiana, 1872, 1872.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Unknown author, Indiana Methodist

Physical Description

1 folder

Atlanta School of Social Work souvenir book, 1936.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Souvenir book compiled for Pearson as Commencement speaker

Physical Description

1 folder

Collected stories, etc.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Collection of stories, poems, and quotations used in lecture work, or as a collection of personal favorites.

Physical Description

1 folder

Sample of stationary.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Letterheads used by organizations

Physical Description

1 folder

Library Extension, 1920-1928.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Materials concerning work with program

Physical Description

1 folder

Article by Barbara Pearson Lange, 1966.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

"Keep Your Suspenders Up," in Swarthmore College Bulletin, Alumni Issue, March 1966, based on letters from Paul Pearson to his wife, Edna, from Sept. and Oct. of 1902, when he first came to teach at Swarthmore. Barbara, Paul and Edna's daughter, was in the Swarthmore College Class of 1931. Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey taught drama and public speaking at Swarthmore and also served as dean of women in the 1960s.

Physical Description

1 folder

Drew Pearson autograph album, 1948.
Box 22
Scope and Contents

Autograph album on occasion of testimonial dinner given for Drew Pearson in Swarthmore, Pa., 4-16-1948

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest