M. Carey Thomas Papers
M. Carey Thomas with the May Queen, 1904
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M. Carey Thomas (1857-1935) became the first Dean and head of the English Department when Bryn Mawr College opened in 1884. Following the death of the college's first president, James Rhoads, in 1894, she was elected to succeed him in the position. She used her position to both expand the College, ensuring several new buildings were constructed on campus, and to influence college policies. Thomas was involved in the women's suffrage movement and an early promoter of adding a sex-based equal rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Although she was interested in rights for white, Anglo-Saxon women, Thomas's legacy of racism and antisemitism kept both Black and Jewish students out of Bryn Mawr even after she stepped down as president. This collection is comprised of documents from both Thomas's personal papers and the official records that survive from her time at Bryn Mawr College, including office subject files and a great deal of personal correspondence.
Collection Guide to the M. Carey Thomas Papers
Browsing as Anonymous (not verified)
sonnets (2)
correspondenc (1)
pamphlets (1)
Gwinn, Charles J. M. (1)
McLane, Kate M. (1)
Girls' schools (242)
School boards (105)
Educational fund raising (93)
Books and reading (75)
Rhoads, James E. (James Evans), 1828-1895 (32)
Rogers, Julia R. (Julia Rebecca), 1854-1944 (25)
Gilman, Daniel C. (Daniel Coit), 1831-1908 (18)
Thomas, James Carey, 1833-1897 (18)
Thomas, Mary Whitall, 1836-1888 (16)
King, Francis T., 1817-1891 (14)
Cornell University (3)
Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry (2)
Penn Charter School (2)
Smith College (2)
Cappella Sistina (Vatican Palace, Vatican City) (1)
Bryn Mawr (Pa.) (827)
Rome (Italy) (48)
Venice (Italy) (38)
Blue Ridge Summit (Pa.) (34)
Hot Springs (N.C.) (29)
London (England) (29)
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett, chastising her for writing so infrequently. Thomas compares Mary's experience in Switzerland her memories of the country. Thomas informs Mary of her sister Margaret's engagement and that she has been working at the Bryn Mawr School almost constantly. Thomas includes a sonnet she has written with the letter.
A short letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Garrett in which Thomas discusses her work, mutual acquaintances, and the role of Garrett's money in their projects.
M. Carey Thomas writes of talking with her father about Medical School business.
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about her plans for the week, including dress shopping, and sends her some fabric samples with the letter. Thomas complains about a student sending angry letters about Bryn Mawr to a newspaper. A telegram from Thomas to Garrett asking her to send a check is included with the letter.
Mary Garrett writes to M. Carey Thomas about her nurse, her health, and asks Thomas if she would consider spending the upcoming Easter holiday with her.
Mary Garrett writes about her busy day, full of visitors and making arrangements for future plans.
A brief note from Mary Garrett to M. Carey Thomas in which she expresses her regret for not being able to see Thomas before she left Baltimore.
A short note from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Garrett saying that she has spent the day in Philadelphia but needs to take the train back to Bryn Mawr soon.