Guide to the

Lucia R. Briggs Collection

 

Collection number: MD-ARC01

 

University Archives

Seeley G. Mudd Library

Lawrence University

Appleton, Wisconsin

 

Contact information:

University Archives

Seeley G. Mudd Library

113 S. Lawe Street

Lawrence University

Appleton, WI 54911

 

Phone: (920) 832-6753

Fax: (920) 832-6967

Email: archives@lawrence.edu

URL: http://www.lawrence.edu/library/archives/

© 2005 Lawrence University. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary of the Collection

Title

Lucia R. Briggs collection

Inclusive dates

1921-1990

Collection number

MD-ARC01

Extent

0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Language of collection material

Collection is in English.

Repository

Lawrence University. Seeley G. Mudd Library. University Archives.

Appleton, Wisconsin 54911

Abstract

This collection includes the correspondence of Lucia R. Briggs, the second President of Milwaukee-Downer College, along with articles written about and by her. It also contains photographs documenting Briggs’s 30 year tenure at Milwaukee-Downer College.

Important Information for Researchers

 Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication rights

Property rights and copyright reside with Lawrence University. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the University Archivist.

Preferred citation

Lucia R. Briggs Collection. MD-ARC01. University Archives, Seeley G. Mudd Library, Appleton, Wisconsin.

Acquisition information

Gift of Milwaukee-Downer College after it merged with Lawrence University in 1964.

Processing history

Preliminary processing was done prior to 2005. Further processing and finding aid was completed by Katherine Elchert, 2008.


Biography

Lucia R. Briggs, president of Milwaukee-Downer College from 1921-1951, was born in 1887. As the daughter of LeBaron Russell Briggs, Dean of Harvard (1891-1902), of its Faculty of Arts and Science (1902-1925) and President of Radcliffe College (1903-1925), Briggs was experienced with campus life. After graduating from Radcliffe College in 1909, and going on to receive her M.A. in 1912, Briggs spent several years teaching on the East coast.

During her 1921 inaugural address, Briggs pledged to continue the tradition of liberal arts at Milwaukee-Downer College. Like her predecessor, Ellen Sabin, Briggs valued the combination of a broad liberal arts curriculum along with the need for practical, professional training. Throughout her presidency, the endowment of the college significantly increased, student enrollment grew and new buildings were added to the Milwaukee campus. Under her tenure, the curriculum was increasingly strengthened and reorganized. Retiring from office in 1951, Briggs passed away nine years later on January 10, 1960.

Chronology

1887

  • Year of birth

1909

  • Graduated from Radcliffe College with English major

1912

  • Awarded Master of Arts degree from Radcliffe College

1915-1921

  • Taught at Simmons College, in Boston, within the English Department

1921

  • Became the second President of Milwaukee-Downer College

1922

  • Vice-President of the Association of Wisconsin Presidents and Deans

1923

  • Vice-President of Association of American Colleges

1926

  • Degree of Doctor of Laws from Lawrence College

1927

  • Vice-President of Association of American Colleges

1928

  • President of the Association of Wisconsin Presidents and Deans, President of Association of American Colleges

1951

  • Retired after 30 years as Milwaukee-Downer College President

1960

  • Year of death

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection includes the correspondence of Lucia R. Briggs, the second President of Milwaukee-Downer College, along with articles written about and by her. It also contains photographs documenting Briggs’s 30 year tenure at Milwaukee-Downer College.

Related Collections

The following collection in University Archives contains related materials:

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Briggs, Lucia Russell, 1887-1960.

Education, LinkHigher.

Milwaukee-Downer College.

Genres and Forms of Materials

Clippings.

Letters.

Photographic prints.

Occupations

College presidents.

Teacher.

 

Collection Contents

Contents
Box : Folder
Articles about Briggs, 1926-1990 1 : 1
Articles by Briggs, 1921-1943 1 : 2
Correspondence, academic gown, 1975-1976 1 : 3
Correspondence, Carnegie Corporation Art Collection 1930, 1926-1930 1 : 4
Correspondence, Chester, Mrs. William and Chapman Gift, 1935 1 : 5
Correspondence, general, 1926-1950 1 : 6
Correspondence, Klingler, Mrs. Charles, 1935 1 : 7
Correspondence, Schmidt, Margaret and Thompson, Mrs. H.F., 1935 1 : 8
Correspondence, Sheels (crew boats), 1932-1938 1 : 9
Photographs of Briggs, circa 1920-1950 1 : 10