Coon papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS 0525

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edith M. Coon Papers consist of correspondence, writings, biographical clippings, letters, and photographs. The papers pertain primarily to her years as a teacher and administrator at Women's Christian College in Madras, India (1916-1939). Her correspondence concerns many aspects of the College including enrollment, curriculum, finances, living arrangements, celebrations and language difficulties at the school. She also discusses social and political conditions in India, interactions with missionaries in the region, and vacations to Ceylon and Kashmir. Writings consist of articles by her concerning the condition of girls in India, the administration of Women's Christian College, an article on differential equations, and a speech about her work in India given in June 1922. Biographical information consists of letters, newspaper clippings and magazine articles chiefly about her work in India. The collection also includes two formal portraits and two snapshots of Coon, all probably dating from her years at Mount Holyoke.

Dates

ca. 1913-1939

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Note

Edith Marion Coon was born on March 1, 1889 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of E. Brownell Coon. She graduated from Springfield High School and attended Mount Holyoke College from 1909-1913, where she majored in mathematics and physics. She was an instructor and reader in mathematics at Mount Holyoke from 1914-1916 and received a M.A. in mathematics from the College in 1916. That same year she left to teach at Women's Christian College in Madras, India, where she was the first American to serve on the school's staff. She worked there as a mathematics teacher, head of the Physics Department and Vice-Principal until her death in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on June 1, 1939 at the age of fifty.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (1 half Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Coon, Edith Marion, 1889-1939; teacher and school administrator. Mount Holyoke College graduate, 1913. Mount Holyoke College faculty member, 1914-1916; Women's Christian College teacher and administrator, 1916-1939. Papers consist of letters, writings, biographical information and photographs, chiefly documenting her work as a science teacher and administrator and her travels in south Asia.

Arrangement

Arranged in 4 series: Series. 1. Correspondence. Series 2. Writings. Series 3. Biographical Information. Series 4. Photographs.

Subjects

College students -- India Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
India -- Description and travel Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
India -- Politics and government -- 1919-1947 -- Sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
India -- Social conditions -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Missionaries -- India Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Mount Holyoke College Manuscript Collections Subject Source: Local sources
Science -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- India -- History -- Sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Voyages and travels Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Women -- Education -- India Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Women college teachers -- India Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus