2008 Woodie Awards
Book reveals history of old Miami
Collection of letters explores university's past, uncovers lives of former students
Emily Gay
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Campus
In celebration of Miami University's upcoming bicentennial, letters describing the history and culture of the university have been collected to create a book of historic letters, titled 'With Sentiments of Respect and Affection:' Letters of Old Miami, 1809-1873.
The book was compiled by Betsy Butler, special collections librarian from King Library, and by the Walter Havighurt Special Collections. The forward of the book was written by Andrew Cayton, a professor of history at Miami. The Walter Havighurst Special Collections will host a free program introducing the book Oct 16 in 320 King Library.
The book includes 17 letters, along with other manuscripts and correspondences. Miami's first president, Robert Hamilton Bishop; authors and educators Catharine Beecher and William Holmes McGuffey; and politicians Benjamin Harrison, Henry Clay and James Garfield are just some of the people included in the volume, said Heather Cole, an academic research librarian at King Library.
The documents, spanning from the years 1809-73, describe the founding of the campus and the many important figures that have changed Miami from past to present.
"A letter from Reverend John W. Browne to John Cleves Symmes and James Shield details the purchase of the land for a new university in southwestern Ohio," Cole said.
Another letter, dated June 30, 1854, describes the condition of the current campus, as William Holmes McGuffey becomes president of the university.
The letter reads, "The university is in a very flourishing condition at present. The trustees manifest a laudable goal in promoting its interests; the faculty is united and harmonious: The students are orderly and generally attentive to duty."
The collection provides a glimpse into the personal lives, politics, and day-to-day Miami social atmosphere, Cayton said. By reading these letters, Cayton said Miami students will be presented with invaluable insights into "Old Miami."
"The letters reveal details of the lives of students and faculty in the 1800s … These people actually walked, talked and lived on the same ground we're occupying now," Cayton said.
The book was compiled by Betsy Butler, special collections librarian from King Library, and by the Walter Havighurt Special Collections. The forward of the book was written by Andrew Cayton, a professor of history at Miami. The Walter Havighurst Special Collections will host a free program introducing the book Oct 16 in 320 King Library.
The book includes 17 letters, along with other manuscripts and correspondences. Miami's first president, Robert Hamilton Bishop; authors and educators Catharine Beecher and William Holmes McGuffey; and politicians Benjamin Harrison, Henry Clay and James Garfield are just some of the people included in the volume, said Heather Cole, an academic research librarian at King Library.
The documents, spanning from the years 1809-73, describe the founding of the campus and the many important figures that have changed Miami from past to present.
"A letter from Reverend John W. Browne to John Cleves Symmes and James Shield details the purchase of the land for a new university in southwestern Ohio," Cole said.
Another letter, dated June 30, 1854, describes the condition of the current campus, as William Holmes McGuffey becomes president of the university.
The letter reads, "The university is in a very flourishing condition at present. The trustees manifest a laudable goal in promoting its interests; the faculty is united and harmonious: The students are orderly and generally attentive to duty."
The collection provides a glimpse into the personal lives, politics, and day-to-day Miami social atmosphere, Cayton said. By reading these letters, Cayton said Miami students will be presented with invaluable insights into "Old Miami."
"The letters reveal details of the lives of students and faculty in the 1800s … These people actually walked, talked and lived on the same ground we're occupying now," Cayton said.
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