Mary J. Scarlett letters and broadside, 1845-1864 and undated
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Abstract:
- Dr. Mary J. Scarlett was a Quaker, born in 1822 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She devoted her early years to being a teacher in Chester County, Pennsylvania, then entered and graduated from the Woman's Medical College in 1857. In 1862, she became professor of anatomy at Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
- Extent:
- 1.01 Linear Feet (8 items)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11545
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection contains seven letters (22 pages) M. J. Scarlett wrote between 1845-1864. Two letters were addressed to her sister, Elizabeth (1845, 1849), and five to her niece (1858, 1860, 1863, 1864). In the letters she discussed details of her life at the time, from the teaching of students to the choosing of proper fabric for sewing a dress, making a comfortable sitting room, or studying public health and hygiene. She also mentioned many family matters. She commented on her hopes for the abolition of slavery and the infighting among abolitionists at a recent national meeting, and noted her puzzlement that those Quakers who would quickly speak as abolitionists would not also speak up on issues of faith within the Society of Friends. During the Civil War, she described the effect of the draft in Philadelphia, recorded the general concern that the Army of the Potomac needed to be successful, and pointed to camps nearby as well as to funerals passing. Collection also includes an undated broadside for "An Introductory Lecture to a Course on Physiology" to be delivered by Scarlett. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections (Duke University), the Lisa Unger Baskin Collection, and the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Dr. Mary J. Scarlett was a Quaker, born in 1822 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She devoted her early years to being a teacher in Chester County, Pennsylvania, then entered and graduated from the Woman's Medical College in 1857. In 1862, she became professor of anatomy at Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. She married G. Washington Dixon in 1873 and died in 1900.
- Acquisition information:
- The Mary J. Scarlett Letters and Broadside were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2013 and 2015.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Alice Poffinberger, November 2017
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2013-0056
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
- Subjects:
- Antislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Draft -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Dressmaking
Living rooms -- United States -- History
Public health -- Study and teaching (Continuing education)
Slaves -- Emancipation -- United States
Teachers -- Pennsylvania
Women in medicine -- Pennsylvania
Physicians -- Pennsylvania -- History -- 19th century
Women physicians -- Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania -- History -- 19th century - Format:
- Broadsides (notices)
- Names:
- Society of Friends
United States. Army of the Potomac
United States. Army -- Recruiting, enlistment, etc -- History -- 19th century
History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Lisa Unger Baskin Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Scarlett, M. J. (Mary J.)
Baskin, Lisa Unger - Places:
- Pennsylvania -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.
All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Mary J. Scarlett Letters and Broadside, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.