Albert Allen Wright papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 09-9.60

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of five pieces of Wright’s correspondence (dated 1870-1871) to Mary Lyon Bedortha, whom he would marry in 1874.The poetic letters in the collection were sent from Berea, Kentucky to Saratoga Springs, New York. During the time the letters were written, Wright was serving as chair of Natural History at Berea College. The letters describe life and work in Berea including the infancy of the College, the location and appearance of campus buildings including the President’s House (where he resided), Howard Hall, and Ladies Hall (Fairchild Hall), travels through the local area and region, the College’s education of African American students, attendance at a Pilot Knob Sabbath-school, interaction with other faculty, and living conditions of women attending the school. The letters also contain comparisons of city to Berea life and makes connections between Berea and Oberlin colleges.

Dates

created: 1870-1871

Creator

Wright, Albert Allen -- 1846-1905 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations.

Biographical / Historical

Albert Allen Wright was the chair of Natural History at Berea College from 1870 to 1872. A few years after leaving Berea, he would be appointed professor of Geology and Natural History at Oberlin College. While at Berea College, Wright also served as the faculty meeting clerk. On September 21, 1874, he married Mary Lyon Bedortha (1846-1877), of Saratoga Springs, New York. Professor Albert Allen Wright died April 2, 1905.