Alice Seymour Browne Frame papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0539

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alice Seymour Browne Frame Papers contain correspondence, articles, biographical information, and photographs. The articles, ranging from 1905-1914, discuss Frame's experiences as a missionary, focusing on her encounters with the local people while at the Women's Union College of Peking University and her discussions with them about God. Of special note within the articles are Frame's descriptions of interactions with the women and children in the country, her commitment to the education of women, and her objections to foot-binding. The correspondence describes Frame's missionary activities (1905-1942), the Chinese landscape and people, holiday celebrations and personal challenges, such as language acquisition and family matters. Most letters are typed transcripts sent to the Women's Board of Missions for distribution to friends of Frame, especially at Mount Holyoke College. Of particular interest are Frame's references to World War I and conflict within China and all of Asia during the 1930s and 1940s. Furthermore, upon Frame's return to China after acting as Dean of Residence at Mount Holyoke College, she assesses the plight of young girls in Chinese society. Finally, the death of Frame's husband, Murray Scott Frame, in 1918 and her own fight with cancer in 1940 highlight not only Frame's personal struggles, but also her commitment to her position as a teacher and missionary in China. The biographical information includes a map of the mission area, Tung -chou, articles about Frame's return to Mount Holyoke College and her position as Dean of Residence, and praise from the Mount Holyoke College community for her continued work for women and girls in China. The photographs primarily show Frame in China and at Mount Holyoke College.

Material from this collection is available in an online digital format.

Dates

1896 - 1942

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Biographical Note

Alice Seymour Browne was born on October 29, 1878, in Harpoot, Turkey to Reverend John K. Browne and Leila Kendall, Class of 1876. Browne graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1900 and Hartford Theological Seminary in 1903. In 1905, she sailed to Tung-chou, China to work as a missionary, and was transferred to work in Peking in 1912. On November 10, 1913, she married Murray Scott Frame in Kyoto, Japan. She worked at the Women's College of Peking University for many years and became Dean of the college in 1922. In 1928, she became Dean of Residence at Mount Holyoke while on sabbatical from Peking University. Her daughter Rosamond graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1938. Alice Browne Frame died on August 16, 1941, in Newton, Massachusetts.

Extent

1 boxes (Faculty/Staff)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Frame, Alice Seymour Browne, 1878-1941; Teacher and missionary. Mount Holyoke College graduate, 1900. Mount Holyoke College faculty member, 1928-1929. Papers consist of correspondence, articles, biographical information and photographs; primarily documenting her experiences, particularly with educating local women, while a missionary in Northern China.