Dorothy Foster Papers

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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 21 - 40]

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Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, November 1, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy is relieved that her family has successfully moved houses. She reports on the Sophomore play, which she found excellent, and the Halloween party. She also mentions playing hockey.
Date:
1903-11-01
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, October 5, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
This letter mostly deals with Dorothy organizing her room, asking mother to send things she forgot at home, and purchasing some items in town. Her regular work resumed and she went to the Freshmen party.
Date:
1903-10-05
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, December 19, 1902
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1902
Description:
In this letter Dorothy tells her mother of her visit to the Dean to ask for permission to be irregular at classes because of her exhaustion, which was granted. Dorothy felt it was not a good time to discuss scholarship but promises to return to the question after Christmas break.
Date:
1902-12-19
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, October 29, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In this letter Dorothy tells her mother that the Philosophy professor has finally been replaced and given another course to teach after having a few painful and pitiful interviews with his current students. A new Philosophical club is formed. Dorothy continues to play hockey.
Date:
1903-10-29
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 10, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy describes in great detail the Junior Senior supper, where she presided along with Gertrude Dietrich. It included a delicious meal, speeches, and theater. She also tells her mother about her trip to town with a friend to see a circus performance. She asks mother to send her some money to pay for books, laundry, etc.
Date:
1903-05-10
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 13, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
This letter contains detailed descriptions of the two Wagner's operas Dorothy recently saw and an account of a talk by Mary Berenson on the new art criticism and its value.
Date:
1904-03-13
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Bill for tuition, room and board from Bryn Mawr College, addressed to Mrs. James M. Foster, October 12, 1903
Title:
Bill for tuition, 1903
Description:
Bill from Bryn Mawr College to Dorothy Foster for tuition, room, board and infirmary fee for the year 1903-04, total amount $367.50.
Date:
1903-10-12
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, February 16, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy thanks her mother and her family for the Valentine's gifts and describes other Valentines she received. She retells the student's little concert at a school in town.
Date:
1903-02-16
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, February 27, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In her letter, Dorothy worries about her mother's leg and wishes she could be home to help. She tells her mother of the recent meeting of the Philosophical Club with a visiting professor from Wellesley.
Date:
1903-02-27
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 3, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Dorothy is going to the Strauss concert in the afternoon. She is busy with preparing for her German exam, finding the commencement speaker and parties. She writes about a newly formed religious league to which she is strongly opposed.
Date:
1904-03-03
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Edward H. Letchworth to Mrs. Foster, Dorothy Foster's mother, March 31, 1903
Title:
Letter from Edward H. Letchworth to Mrs. Foster, Dorothy Foster's mother, 1903
Description:
Edward H. Letchworth invites Dorothy and her mother to a play and tea during Dorothy's spring break.
Date:
1903-03-31
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, December 18, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In her letter to mother Dorothy reports that she has unfortunately failed her German oral exam so she will have to retake it in February. She continues to discuss details of her upcoming trip home for Christmas.
Date:
1903-12-18
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 26, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy is discussing details of her travel home for the Easter break and tells mother about her classes and labs. New honor system for exams is being drawn up.
Date:
1903-03-26
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, January 30, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy writes to her mother about continuing mid-year exams. She finds exam weeks to be less busy than normal study weeks. After a faculty meeting, the decision to switch from honor system to proctor system is reconsidered.
Date:
1902-01-30
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, October 11, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy is sad because her parents are moving, and she misses home. She is worried about paying her laundry and book bills that are pretty high this semester. The students are unhappy with the new Philosophy professor and went to the Dean to talk with her, but the Dean is yet reluctant to send him away. Dorothy describes a party she hosted and a couple others she attended.
Date:
1903-10-11
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 31, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy reports that the exams are over and everyone is trying to relax. One of the exams ("Gwinn") was almost cancelled because the proctor was late but ended up being administered. The campus is being prepared for Reunion and commencement week. She regrets she has not bought the class ring because everyone else in her class has them.
Date:
1903-05-31
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, February 29, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
Dorothy has failed her German oral examination again. She went to a friend's birthday party and is hoping to see some of the performances from "The Ring" given by the opera company. She needs to go to town to have her picture taken for the class book, and she is busy selecting the commencement speaker.
Date:
1904-02-29
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, March 5, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
In this letter Dorothy wishes she could be home to help mother who had another cold and is having trouble with her leg again. She is looking forward to Easter vacation and seeing her family. A few friends from Salem are visiting and spring is in the air.
Date:
1903-03-06
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, May 2, 1904
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1904
Description:
The letter contains a very detailed description of May Day celebration, where Dorothy was crowned the May Queen, and the Dean gave an address about May Day customs. Dorothy is very upset with the dresses she received from the new seamstress. She describes going to Valley Forge with other seniors and to Philadelphia to see "12th night."
Date:
1904-05-02
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, January 18, 1903
Title:
Letter from Dorothy Foster to her mother, 1903
Description:
Dorothy writes to her mother about her studies, an essay she recently finished, and exams next week. She also describes the college reception and going to church in town.
Date:
1903-01-18
Collection:
Dorothy Foster Papers

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