For many years, Charles H. Patterson served as head of the Department of Language and Literature at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Born in Smithsonville, Ont., in 1863, Patterson received both a BA (1887) and MA (1893) from Tufts University before launching his teaching career. He joined the faculty at MAC as an assistant professor of English, in 1916, after 13 years at West Virginia University. A former professional actor, he taught courses in modern literature, with a particular interest in drama, and served as department chair for nearly a decade before his sudden death in 1933.
The Patterson Papers contain a small selection of correspondence and notes on English composition and literature as taught at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is a draft of Patterson's unpublished book, The Amazing Boucicault.
Charles H. Patterson Photo by Frank A. Waugh, 1926
For many years, Charles H. Patterson served as head of the Department of Language and Literature at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Born in Smithsonville, Ont., in 1863, Patterson received both a BA (1887) and MA (1893) from Tufts University before launching his teaching career. In 1916, after 13 years at West Virginia University, he joined the faculty at MAC as a as assistant professor of English, eventually becoming department chair. A former professional actor, he taught courses in modern literature, with a particular interest in drama.
A stern, but popular instructor, throughout his time in Amherst, Patterson remained active in community affairs, notably with the Unity church and the Pacific lodge of Masons, but also taking part in groups ranging from the George Washington bicentennial committee to the Amherst motion picture censorship committee. He died suddenly on Aug. 12, 1933, while vacationing at his summer home in Southport, Me. At the time of his death he was working on a biography of the Irish playwright Dion Boucicault.
Scope of collection
The Patterson Papers contain a small selection of correspondence and notes on English composition and literature as taught at Massachusetts Agricultural College. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is a draft of Patterson's unpublished book, The Amazing Boucicault.
Inventory
Biographical
1919-1933
Box 1: 1
Byron, George Gordon. Notes
Undated
Box 1: 1
Correspondence
1920-1924
Box 1: 1
English: class assignments and exams
ca.1925-1931
Box 1: 1
English Department (MAC)
Undated
Box 1: 1
English teaching
Undated
Box 1: 1
Newsclippings
1921-1930
Box 1: 1
Newsclippings: novelists and short story writers
Undated
Box 1: 1
Newsclippings: poetry and writing
Undated
Box 1: 1
Newsclippings: theatre and drama
1923-1929
Box 1: 1
Notes: Drama
Undated
Box 1: 1
Notes: research and teaching
Undated
4 folders
Box 1: 1
Poetry
Undated
Box 1: 1
Transcripts of 19th century French poetry.
Student exams
1929-1932
Box 1: 1
Suggested books for college students
Undated
Box 1: 1
The Amazing Boucicault [manuscript]
ca.1932
4 folders
Box 2: 1
Unpublished book-length manuscript on Dion Boucicault and his plays.
Boucicault, Dion. Appendices and notes
ca.1932
Box 2: 1
Pamphlets and printed matter
1899-1931
2 folders
Box 2: 1
Miscellaneous pamphlets and advertising material on education, literature, and language.
