Charles H. Patterson Papers
Photo by Frank A. Waugh, 1926
For many years, Charles H. Patterson served as head of the Department of Language and Literature at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Born in Smithsonville, Ont., in 1863, Patterson received both a BA (1887) and MA (1893) from Tufts University before launching his teaching career. He joined the faculty at MAC as an assistant professor of English, in 1916, after 13 years at West Virginia University. A former professional actor, he taught courses in modern literature, with a particular interest in drama, and served as department chair for nearly a decade before his sudden death in 1933.
The Patterson Papers contain a small selection of correspondence and notes on English composition and literature as taught at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is a draft of Patterson’s unpublished book, The Amazing Boucicault.
For many years, Charles H. Patterson served as head of the Department of Language and Literature at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Born in Smithsonville, Ont., in 1863, Patterson received both a BA (1887) and MA (1893) from Tufts University before launching his teaching career. In 1916, after 13 years at West Virginia University, he joined the faculty at MAC as a as assistant professor of English, eventually becoming department chair. A former professional actor, he taught courses in modern literature, with a particular interest in drama.
A stern, but popular instructor, throughout his time in Amherst, Patterson remained active in community affairs, notably with the Unity church and the Pacific lodge of Masons, but also taking part in groups ranging from the George Washington bicentennial committee to the Amherst motion picture censorship committee. He died suddenly on Aug. 12, 1933, while vacationing at his summer home in Southport, Me. At the time of his death he was working on a biography of the Irish playwright Dion Boucicault.
The Patterson Papers contain a small selection of correspondence and notes on English composition and literature as taught at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is a draft of Patterson’s unpublished book, The Amazing Boucicault.
The collection is open for research.
Cite as: Charles H. Patterson Papers (FS 089). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Source of acquisition unidentified.
Processed by Dex Haven, February 2009.
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Biographical
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1919-1933
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Box 1:1
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Byron, George Gordon. Notes
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Correspondence
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1920-1924
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Box 1:1
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English: class assignments and exams
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ca.1925-1931
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Box 1:1
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English Department (MAC)
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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English teaching
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Newsclippings
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1921-1930
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Box 1:1
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Newsclippings: novelists and short story writers
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Newsclippings: poetry and writing
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Newsclippings: theatre and drama
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1923-1929
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Box 1:1
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Notes: Drama
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Notes: research and teaching
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Undated
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4 folders
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Box 1:1
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Poetry
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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Transcripts of 19th century French poetry. |
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Student exams
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1929-1932
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Box 1:1
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Suggested books for college students
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Undated
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Box 1:1
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The Amazing Boucicault [manuscript]
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ca.1932
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4 folders
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Box 2:1
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Unpublished book-length manuscript on Dion Boucicault and his plays. |
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Boucicault, Dion. Appendices and notes
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ca.1932
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Box 2:1
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Pamphlets and printed matter
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1899-1931
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2 folders
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Box 2:1
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Miscellaneous pamphlets and advertising material on education, literature, and language. |
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