Collection number: MS 53
Size:
(17 items)
(0.10 cu.ft.)
About Edward Morgan Lewis
Edward Morgan Lewis was born on Dec. 25, 1872 in Machynlleth, Wales, and came to the United States in 1880. He received a B.A. in 1896, and an M.A. from Williams College. While working on his masters degree, he was a pitcher for the Boston Braves from 1896-1900, and for the Boston Red Sox in 1901.
After leaving baseball, Lewis assumed the position of Instructor of Elocution at Columbia University. In 1904, he returned to Williams College where he was an instructor in public speaking and was soon promoted to Assistant Professor.
In 1911, Lewis became Dean at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. While at MAC, Lewis also served as Head of the Languages Department, Head of the Literature Department, Head of the Humanities Division, Acting President, and President.
He came to the University of New Hampshire in September 1927. Even though the depression years made the University's financial situation less than desirable, Lewis oversaw the construction of several buildings, including James Hall, and Hood House, as well as construction of new athletic fields, which were named for him. He was also successful in improving teaching and administration standards. Lewis died while serving as President of the University of New Hampshire on May 24, 1936. His friend, Robert Frost, read at the memorial service.
About the Edward Morgan Lewis Letters
Letters written by well-known individuals to Edward Morgan Lewis, including two from Rear Admiral Richard Byrd (of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition), one declining Lewis’s invitation to be his guest on the occasion of Byrd’s lecture in Durham in October 1930, and the other thanking Lewis and his wife for their hospitality while Byrd was in Durham receiving an honorary degree; one from then Vice-President Calvin Coolidge, while Lewis was a dean at the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1922; two from Robert Frost, one introducing his friend Orrin Griffis (?), who wishes to meet Lewis, the other asking Lewis to decline an invitation from Henry Bailey Stevens and Agnes Ryan; Harry Lloyd Hopkins, head of the WPA under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to Mrs. Lewis, making his condolences on the death of her husband in 1936; a letter of introduction from Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State under Warren Harding, to various U.S. diplomatic and consular offices abroad; Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, replying to Lewis’s suggestion of how best to use [Chick] Davies (1914); Dwight Whitney Morrow, U.S.Ambassador to Mexico; William Howard Taft, when Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, agreeing with Lewis’ complaint that the United States did not join the League of Nations (and blaming Woodrow Wilson for the fact); Gene Tunney, former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, thanking Lewis for his letter of invitation to Durham; and Woodrow Wilson, former U.S. President, wishing Lewis well on his trip to Europe in 1922.
There are also two cards, one an invitation to President and Mrs. Roosevelt's “home,” the other a greeting card from Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, a clipping of a printed article by Robert Frost on baseball called “Perfect Day – A Day of Prowess,” that mentions Lewis, a printed copy of a poem by Lewis called “The Little Pet Dog,” and a poor photocopy of a picture of the 1899 National League champion Boston baseball team that included Lewis, inscribed “Ted:- It brings back old memories. G.W.A.”
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
Copyright Notice
Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [Folder], [Box], Edward Morgan Lewis Letters, 1914-1936, MS 53, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Source unknown, date unknown
