Samuel Gridley Howe, 1836 - 1874
Scope and Contents
Two objects related to American social reformer Samuel Gridley Howe. The first is a letter in Italian, addressed to Howe and dated 1836 from Baron Pietro Pisani (1760-1837). It appears to pertain at least in part to the proceedings of the Boston Phrenological Society, of which Howe was then the secretary. Both men had an interest in social causes related to people with mental illness or developmental disability. The second is a diary for the year 1874, bound in burgundy leather, containing notes on various appointments and engagements. The rear cover is now almost entirely detached from the text block.
Dates
- 1836 - 1874
Conditions Governing Access
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Biographical / Historical
Samuel Gridley Howe (1801-1876) was a physician, educator and social reformer. After attending Harvard Medical School, he worked with John Dix Fisher to establish the noted Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, which successfully educated a number of prominent pupils including Helen Keller. An active abolitionist, Howe was involved in the Secret Six group supporting John Brown, and he fled to Canada for several months following Brown's execution in 1859. Along with his wife, noted author and poet Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), he was also an active contributor to many social justice, education reform, and prison reform movements.
Extent
From the Collection: 30 Cubic Feet (68 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Latin
From the Collection: French
From the Collection: Italian
From the Collection: Welsh
From the Collection: Danish
From the Collection: Swedish
From the Collection: Spanish
From the Collection: German
From the Collection: Norwegian
From the Collection: Persian
From the Collection: Japanese
From the Collection: Russian
From the Collection: Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
Creator
- From the Collection: Scheetz, Nicholas B., 1952-2016 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu