Dorothy Foster Papers

Bryn Mawr College logo

Dorothy Foster (1883-1968) was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College class of 1904. She was senior class president in 1904, secretary to the Philosophy Club from 1903-1904, and a member of the English Club from 1903-1904. After Bryn Mawr, Foster earned a degree in English Literature from Radcliffe College in 1908 and did further graduate work at Harvard University from 1913-1914, and later became a professor at Mount Holyoke College. This collection contains letters Foster wrote to her mother during her junior and senior years at Bryn Mawr College. The letters cover a variety of subjects, including visiting speakers and their lectures, formal dinners, teas, club meetings, exams, hosting prospective students, the formation of the English club, Self-Government meetings, personal forays into early science courses at Bryn Mawr, and trips into Philadelphia.

Collection Guide for the Dorothy Foster papers
Browsing as anonymous (not verified)
83 items [showing 1 - 20]

Pages

Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, January 10, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Campus is slowly returning back to work, but the students are still mostly preoccupied with the recent vacation.
Date:
1904-01-10
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, November 9, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
After inquiring about the new family house and discussing some books, Dorothy describes Lantern Night in great detail. She also tells her mother of some parties, teas, and visitors to Bryn Mawr.
Date:
1903-11-09
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, September 30, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy writes to her mother about her return to campus for the new school year. There have been some changes in faculty, but everything is already back at full speed and Dorothy is as busy as ever.
Date:
1903-09-30
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Invitation from the Class of 1904 to Mr. and Mrs. James Foster
Title:
Invitation from the Class of 1904 to Mr. and Mrs. James Foster
Description:
Invitation to Dorothy Foster's parents to the Commencement ceremony.
Date:
1904-05-11
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, January 12, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy writes to her mother about her studies and free time. She and her friends have been skating a lot, had tea with the Dean, and had another meeting of the Philosophical Club.
Date:
1902-01-12
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, December 7, 1902
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1902
Description:
In her letter to mother Dorothy tells her how she is looking forward to the upcoming Christmas vacation and is worried about making presents for her friends as her family cannot afford buying them. She writes that the Senior class is very worried about Oral examinations and that the rest of the students sang to them to cheer them up. Dorothy is very tired and is looking forward to the break.
Date:
1902-12-07
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 19, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Dorothy describes the European Fellowship announcement and dinner. There was another meeting of the English Club with two guest speakers, and Dorothy is continuing to prepare for her German retake.
Date:
1904-03-19
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 20, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Dorothy has finally passed her German oral exam. She is very busy with quizzes and gym contests. She is preoccupied with the upcoming Commencement, a dress she needs for the garden party, and her future employment. Sophomores 1906 gave a show for the Seniors, and the Seniors will have to respond after Easter.
Date:
1904-03-20
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, November 24, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Two letters, one written on November 24 and another written earlier but not mailed. Dorothy is very busy with her work so she is planning to stay on campus for Thanksgiving, but she wishes she could be with her family and suggests ideas for toasts. She had mock orals where she did very well. Everyone is excited about W.B. Yeats's upcoming visit - the English Club will welcome him and Philadelphia intellectual elite. Bryn Mawr won the last hockey game of the season.
Date:
1903-11-24
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, January 28, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy Foster describes the first week of mid-year exams. She took Philosophy and Biology. Dean Thomas proposed changing the honor system to proctors for exams, and her proposal was met with outrage from students. A meeting was held by students and professors, and the Dean's proposal is expected to be revoked.
Date:
1902-01-28
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 11, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In this letter Dorothy is anxious about her mother's health. She reports on her work, first signs of spring on campus, swimming and gym. She discusses the latest chapter of "Lady Rose's daughter."
Date:
1903-03-11
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Invitation from the Bryn Mawr College Class of 1904 to Mr. and Mrs. James Foster
Title:
Invitation from the Bryn Mawr College Class of 1904 to Mr. and Mrs. James Foster
Description:
Invitation to Dorothy Foster's parents to the commencement ceremony.
Date:
1904-05-05
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, December 11, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy is beginning to think about Christmas presents for her family and friends. She tells her mother more about W.B. Yeats's lecture and visit. She has German oral exam coming soon, she goes to the gym and skates a lot and is planning a masquerade for the class of 1905.
Date:
1903-12-11
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 2, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy describes being very busy with studies and events, including college reception, singing on the steps of Taylor, physical exam, parties and the upcoming Junior Senior supper where she is going to preside since her class president is unable to attend.
Date:
1903-05-02
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, October 25, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In this letter Dorothy describes an unexpected visit of 30 educators from England who came to study Bryn Mawr college. Dorothy gave tours to some of them. They were particularly interested in student government. She tells mother about more parties for the juniors and other recreational activities. The last page(s) of the letter appear to be missing.
Date:
1903-10-25
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, February 4, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy Foster writes to her mother about the end of mid-year exams. She went to another dorm to sleep in an attempt to cram some more at night. Dean Thomas announced that proctor system will not be used and asked the students to propose a new system by April.
Date:
1903-02-04
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Invitation from the English Club of Bryn Mawr College to Mr. and Mrs. James M. Foster, December 3, 1903
Title:
Invitation from the English Club of Bryn Mawr College to Mr. and Mrs. James M. Foster, 1903
Description:
Invitation from the English Club of Bryn Mawr College to Dorothy Foster's parents to meet William Butler Yeats, who will speak in the College Chapel at eight o'clock on December 3, 1903.
Date:
1903-12-03
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 22, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In this letter Dorothy tells her mother about the exams she is taking and how hard it is to concentrate on studying when the campus and the woods are so inviting.
Date:
1903-05-22
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 19, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
In this rather rushed letter Dorothy describes final preparations for commencement and ongoing examinations. The senior class said goodbye to the faculty and halls on the last day of lectures.
Date:
1904-05-19
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Postcard from Dorothy Foster to her mother, February 6, 1904
Title:
Postcard from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Dorothy writes to inform her mother that the check she sent is not valid because it is not signed and asks to urgently send a new check because she is "penniless." She is very tired because of the exams but has been to a lovely play earlier this day.
Date:
1904-02-06
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers

Pages