Melvin correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MS 0607

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Helen Eliza Melvin Correspondence contains a journal of letters written by Helen E. Melvin from August-September of 1883; two letters written by Helen's parents; and a few photographs. The letters describe her journey to Turkey, and her plans to work as a school teacher there.

Dates

Creation: 1883

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Biographical Note

Helen Eliza Melvin was born on May 10, 1857 and graduated from Mount Holyoke in 1879. She taught at a variety of schools before returning to Mount Holyoke in 1882, where she taught rhetoric and the U.S. Constitution until 1883. She then sailed for Turkey to work as a missionary. She taught at the Girls College in Istanbul until 1891. She returned to the United States very ill, and could not return to Turkey. From 1895-97 she did social work in Manchester, New Hampshire. She died on December 12, 1936 in Chester, New Hampshire.

Extent

2 folders (Faculty/Staff)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Melvin, Helen Eliza, 1857-1936; missionary and teacher. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary graduate, 1879. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary teacher, 1882-1883. Papers consist of correspondence and photographs; principally documenting her journey to Turkey to become a missionary and her teaching plans.