McConaughy papers
Scope and Contents
The Mary Wentworth McConaughy Papers date from 1894-1988 and contain correspondence, journals, writings, memorabilia, biographical information, family papers, and photographs. McConaughy's correspondence is between her students, family, friends, and colleagues and includes information on her travels in Europe, course evaluations from students, family news, and information about her career, different teaching positions, and her position as head of the Education Department at Mount Holyoke College. One series consists of travel journals, 1927 and 1930, and daily records of the weather and McConaughy's activities, 1955-1984. The countries that she visited include: England, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy. Her travel journals include descriptions of sightseeing, tours of community houses, commentaries on food and accommodations, churches she visited as well as concerts and orchestras she attended. Included as well is her observations on the differences she saw between the United States and the other countries in which she traveled. The writings contain various articles on educational testing written by McConaughy, and her book "Individual Differences in the Intelligence of School Children", as well as, speeches, lecture notes, and poetry. McConaughy's memorabilia contains address books, a handwriting analysis, her marriage certificate, and her Harvard diploma. The biographical information includes, resumes, newspaper articles, and obituaries. The family papers include obituaries, wedding invitations, and newspaper articles written about relatives. Also included in the collection are photographs of McConaughy and her family and friends, as well as a number of pictures of her hometown, Isle au Haut, Maine, and photographs of her travels in Europe.
Dates
- 1894-1988.
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Biographical Note
Mary Malvina Wentworth was born to Harriet Delia Bird and Charles Albert Wentworth Feb. 17, 1884 in Rockland, Maine. She graduated from Rockland High School in 1901 an received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in 1905. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, Wentworth taught in Maine for two years. Wentworth continued her education and attended the University of California. She received her M.A. in 1910. In 1924 Wentworth received her doctorate from Harvard University. In between her studies at the University of California and Harvard University, Wentworth taught at Mills College and Seminary in California, as well as in the Los Angeles secondary schools. While studying at Harvard University she worked as a psychologist at Boston State Hospital and Taunton State Hospital. In 1925 she became a professor of psychology and education at Mount Holyoke College. In 1928, Wentworth left her position at Mount Holyoke College, married Dr. James McConaughy and took a position at Swarthmore College. Her husband died in 1934. In 1933, McConaughy took a position at Rutgers University, where she remained until her retirement in 1954. She died on June 15, 1988 at the age of one hundred and four.
Extent
9 boxes (Faculty/Staff)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
McConaughy, Mary Malvina Wentworth, 1884-1988; educational psychologist and college teacher. Mount Holyoke College graduate, 1905. Mount Holyoke College faculty member, 1925-1928. Papers contain correspondence, journals, writings, memorabilia, biographical information, family papers and photographs; primarily documenting her academic and professional life at various institutions and her travel journals from her experience in Europe, which include comments on the differences between lifestyles of Americans and Europeans.
Arrangement
Arranged in 7 series. Series 1. Correspondence. Series 2. Journals. Series 3. Writings. Series 4. Memorabilia. Series 5. Biographical Information. Series 6. Family Papers. Series 7. Photographs
- College teachers -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Educational psychologists -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Educational tests and measurements -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Mount Holyoke College -- Faculty Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Mount Holyoke College Manuscript Collections Subject Source: Local sources
- Voyages and travels Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women college teachers -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women travelers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- McConaughy papers, 1894-1988.
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections Repository
50 College Street
8 Dwight Hall
South Hadley MA 01075-6425 USA
413-538-3079
archives@mtholyoke.edu