Hooker papers
Scope and Contents
The Henrietta Edgecomb Hooker Papers consist of correspondence, writings, magazine and newspaper articles, and photographs. The materials document her experiences as a botany professor at Mount Holyoke College, her hobby of raising and showing Buff Orpington chickens, and her interests in botany. Included is information concerning a hiking tour of Western Massachusetts for Mount Holyoke College students which was led by Hooker. Of note are letters in which Hooker discusses the destruction of Mount Holyoke's Seminary Building by fire in 1896. There is also an article about the history of Mount Holyoke College and the school's need for funds in the aftermath of the fire. Also, in letters written to Mount Holyoke College president Mary Woolley, Hooker states her vision of the history and future of Mount Holyoke College Botany Department. Some letters and writings describe the lives and work of Mary Lyon, Mount Holyoke College president Elizabeth Storrs Mead, and botany professor Lydia W. Shattuck.
Dates
- Creation: 1873-1942
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1884 - 1927
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Biographical Note
Henrietta Edgecomb Hooker was born on December 12, 1851 in Gardiner, Maine to George Washington Hooker and Eliza Annis Ballentine Hooker. She entered Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1869 and graduated in 1873. Following her graduation, she worked at Mount Holyoke teaching algebra and botany. In 1888 she received her doctorate from the University of Syracuse. In 1889 she went to Berlin University to continue her studies. She returned to Mount Holyoke as a professor of botany and was department chair until her retirement in 1908. After retiring she raised Buff Orpington chickens, entering them in contests and donating the prize money to Mount Holyoke College. In 1922 the College awarded her an honorary Bachelor of Science degree. She died at age seventy-seven on May 13, 1929 in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Extent
1 boxes (Faculty/Staff)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Hooker, Henrietta Edgecomb, 1851-1929; Botanist and college teacher. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary graduate, 1873. Mount Holyoke College faculty member, 1873-1908. Papers consist of correspondence, writings, magazine and newspaper articles, and photographs. Primarily documenting her work as a professor at Mount Holyoke College and her hobby raising Buff Orpington chickens.
Arrangement
Arranged in 5 series: Series 1. Correspondence. Series 2. Writings. Series 3. Chicken Information. Series 4. Biographical Information. Series 5. Photographs.
Genre / Form
Topical
- Botanists -- United States
- Botany -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Massachusetts
- Chickens -- Breeding -- History -- Sources
- College teachers -- Massachusetts
- Mount Holyoke College -- Faculty
- Mount Holyoke College -- Fire -- 1856
- Mount Holyoke College -- History
- Mount Holyoke College Manuscript Collections
- Orpingtons
- Women botanists -- United States
- Women college teachers -- Massachusetts
- Title
- Hooker papers, 1873-1942 (bulk 1884-1927)
- 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
