M. Carey Thomas Papers

Bryn Mawr College logo

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)
1248 items [showing 41 - 60]

Pages

Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, May 21, 1889
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1889
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes about school matters and plans.
Date:
1889-05-21
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, November 03, 1893
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1893
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett, recounting a busy day of errands and meetings after leaving Garrett that morning.
Date:
1893-11-03
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, November 09, 1891
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1891
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about the estrangement she feels from most of her family members after a visit to her Aunt Hannah's house in Germantown. Thomas continues to urge Garrett to write her personal notes regularly, even if it comes at the expense of not replying to business letters.
Date:
1891-11-09
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, February 27, 1893
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1893
Description:
Mary Garrett writes to M. Carey Thomas, imploring her to follow her doctor's orders regarding rest during her illness. She writes of the financial debt between the two of them, but assures Thomas that it is okay. She then writes of spending much of her time so far in New York in bed.
Date:
1893-02-27
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, December 15, 1893
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1893
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about Bryn Mawr School business. Topics include teachers who hope to meet with Thomas and Garrett, the school Christmas party, and how to deal with a troublesome teacher.
Date:
1893-12-15
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, November 24, 1889
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1889
Description:
M. Carey Thomas references an enclosed letter and matters of the Bryn Mawr School.
Date:
1889-11-24
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, April 18, 1893
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1893
Description:
Mary Garrett expresses happiness at receiving news from M. Carey Thomas that makes it sound as though she will be awarded the Presidency eventually. She then discusses her health, and encourages Thomas to have her eyes checked.
Date:
1893-04-18
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, August 04, 1891
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1891
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about her recent trip from Baltimore to Bryn Mawr to visit the new science labs and then from Bryn Mawr to Boston to visit Harvard. From there, she travels to Bar Harbor, Maine for vacation. Thomas writes about her resort and the social world of Bar Harbor. Thomas writes about the business of the medical school committee, including new donations and the debate about whether to appoint women doctors at the new hospital. Finally, she apologizes for being unkind in previous letters and wishes Mary better health.
Date:
1891-08-04
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, December 24, 1893
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1893
Description:
A short note from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Garrett wishing Garrett a Merry Christmas.
Date:
1893-12-24
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, October 09, 1884
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1884
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett, apologizing for cutting their visit short. She writes that she has been working on creating lectures which will engage the new students at Bryn Mawr and spur them to an appreciation of literature. She states that visiting Garrett proves too distracting as she is trying to prepare these things for Bryn Mawr, but also insists that she will make an effort to visit her.
Date:
1884-10-04
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, October 14, 1887
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1887
Description:
Mary Garrett writes a letter to M. Carey Thomas, saying that she will meet with Mamie to discuss the question of a Miss Clemes. She also states that an answer has not arrived yet from a L.W., which she finds odd.
Date:
1887-10-14
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, December 06, 1893
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1893
Description:
Mary Garrett writes to M. Carey Thomas, expressing sympathy upon reading that the Friends Review focused more on the religious aspects of Bryn Mawr College and its founders. She also writes at length of dresses she is having made for herself and Thomas, and then writes about her day.
Date:
1893-12-06
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, March 21, 1891
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1891
Description:
Mary Garrett writes to M. Carey Thomas, expressing sympathy for someone named Dolly, who it seems has a relative who is unwell. She writes of her upcoming plans to travel home, and then to travel later to a cabin. She asks Thomas to let her know when Thomas will be able to visit her, and tells her that her eyes are doing much better than they had been.
Date:
1891-03-21
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, October 13, 1887
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1887
Description:
M. Carey Thomas discusses hiring a secretary.
Date:
1887-10-13
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, January 16, 1886
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1886
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett and describes her recent visit to the studio of Miss Clements, whom she had previously described as a protege. She also writes of her desire to meet with and get to know each of the fellows currently at Bryn Mawr College.
Date:
1886-01-16
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, February 11, 1894
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1894
Description:
M. Carey Thomas informs Garrett of Mr. Gwinn's death, and of Mamie's grief. Included are several telegraphs about plans to meet Garrett to travel to the funeral.
Date:
1894-02-11
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, April 23, 1893
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1893
Description:
A small fragment of a letter likely from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Garrett about architectural drawings, among other things. An unsigned telegram to Garrett arranging a meeting is attached to the letter.
Date:
1893-04-23
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, June 20, 1884
Title:
Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, 1884
Description:
A brief note from Mary Garrett to M. Carey Thomas to inform her that she is leaving Elberon for Montebello the next day, and that she hopes to see her soon.
Date:
1884-06-20
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, January 02, 1891
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1891
Description:
A short note from M. Carey Thomas thanking Mary Garrett for a birthday gift of a pocket set of Homer's works.
Date:
1891-01-02
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, October 17, 1893
Title:
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, 1893
Description:
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about how her new division of administrative duties with Dr. Rhoads is keeping her very busy. She also sends her wishes that Garrett's health improves and asks for Garrett to visit her as soon as her brother Robert is better.
Date:
1893-10-17
Collection:
M. Carey Thomas Papers, In Her Own Right, Bryn Mawr College

Pages