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MSS 097, Item 079, Samuel Edward Warren, Journal Vol. I S.E.W., Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Processed and encoded by Evan Echols, April 2009.
Samuel Edward Warren was born in West Newton, Massachusetts, on October 29, 1831, to Samuel Warren and Anne Catherine Reed. Warren was instrumental in developing technical education in the United States. He wrote fourteen textbooks, mostly relating to drawing and drafting, and was one of the leading authors published by the firm of John Wiley and Sons. His books were among the earliest distinctive American texts of their kind and time. Warren died on July 8, 1909.
Warren spent one year, 1846-1847, enrolled at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and two years at the Putnam Free School in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, New York) in 1851 and that same year the institute named him to a faculty position as assistant in charge of descriptive geometry, geodesy, mechanics, and drawing. Warren became a full professor in 1854 and remained at Rensselaer until 1872, when he accepted a position at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1875, he left MIT to assume a teaching position at the Massachusetts Normal Art School, now MassArt, in Boston; he also was a freelance lecturer and writer. Warren exhibited his works at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 and at the World Exposition in Paris in 1878, winning much praise at both fairs. He was a member of several scientific and educational societies.
This journal contains autograph entries documenting the life and education of Massachusetts resident Samuel Edward Warren from the years 1846-1849. The entries discuss the curriculum and assignments received by Warren while enrolled in two Massachusetts schools as well as his religious life, friends, and everyday activities. Also documented is his return home to West Newton, Massachusetts, during summer break, his family life, and interaction with residents of the town.
The journal begins with Warren attending school in Andover, Massachusetts. Many of his entries reveal a deeply religious nature as he frequently attended church, sermons from visiting preachers, and lectures on religious topics. Also, he frequently mentioned, with much excitement, letters received from home (family and friends). Other entries, such as one discussing the disassembly of a snow plough, demonstrate that Warren had an inquisitive nature and an interest in machinery, astronomy, and philosophy. After his first year at school, Warren traveled to his hometown of West Newton, Massachusetts, by train. Regular entries cease for the period of August 3, 1847 to April 6, 1848, during which Warren says he gathered wood and apples, studied, read the work of Greek historian Thucydides, and wrote a doctrinal epistle with remarks to his cousin Dicky (with whom he spent much of his free time).
Journal entries recommence on April 8, 1848, when Warren arrives at Newburyport to attend school. The subject of the entries for the next two years is much the same as before, dealing with life at school, religion, letters from home, and everyday events. He appeared to be more comfortable being away from home and happy with his living conditions than in the previous year.
The journal as a whole is extremely well-written and demonstrates Warren's facility with words and his knowledge of philosophy. The last two pages of the journal contain an index of Warren's entries, each given titles such as "Doing good" or "Hatred of political evils" along with page numbers.
The volume itself is bound in paper board covers and is in good condition with the exception of stains and fading on some pages. The entries were written in ink and in a neat, legible hand.
Warren, S. Edward. Journal, vol. VIII, 1856-1858. Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library. Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Winterthur, DE 19735.
This item forms part of MSS 097 Diaries, Journals, and Ships' Logs collection.
University of Delaware. Library.