Background on Charles Shepherd Phelps
Charles Shepherd Phelps was born on December 5, 1861 in Northampton, Mass. to Solomon
and Nancy Phelps and had eight siblings. He enrolled in Massachusetts
Agricultural College in 1882 and graduated in 1885. He went on to marry Orra Almira Parker on 10 June 10, 1891 in Coventry, Conn. and had seven children, four daughters and three sons. His wife Orra was noted as an outstanding botanist for New York State and was a mentor for her daughter who became a doctor and Adirondack naturalist. He was employed by
the University of Connecticut Agricultural Department as a professor from 1888-1903 and wrote the book "Rural Life
in Litchfield County" in 1917 where he talks about the land, its use, and the future of it.
Phelps passed away while fighting a brush fire near his home in Wilton, NY on April 11, 1941 at the age of 79 and is buried in Storrs, Connecticut.
Scope of collection
While the diary has almost no identifying information, it appears to be almost certain that is written by Phelps based on context within the diary. The diary was written during Phelps' sophomore year at Massachusetts Agricultural
College from 1883 to 1884. In it, he describes his day-to-day lifestyle as well as
what he and others he knew were doing. This includes his meetings, when he worked,
and when he and others left campus. It also notes the illness and then death of President Chadborne. He writes about university events and his
travels to and from Northampton and beyond. He also includes a list of classmates
and where they’re from in the “Addresses” section. He also includes guests that
visit the college, usually farmers clubs and alumni.
This diary gives a good insight into the everyday workings of campus in its early
days as Massachusetts Agricultural College. He shows what it was like to be an
student and live in western Massachusetts during this time.
Administrative information
Search terms
Subjects
- Amherst (Mass.)
- Phelps, Charles Shepherd
- University of Massachusetts at Amherst--College students
Contributors
- Phelps, Charles Shepherd [main entry]
