Fairman Rogers Papers UPT 50 R725

Summary Information

Prepared by

Mary D. McConaghy

Preparation date

January 2007

Date [inclusive]

1849-1862

Extent

29.0 Items

PROVENANCE

Transferred to the Archives from the Special Collections of Van Pelt Library in 1992 and 1998.

ARRANGEMENT

The Fairman Rogers Papers are organized into one series, General File, and the contents arranged alphabetically by topic.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Fairman Rogers (1833-1900) graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an A. B. in 1853 and an A. M. in 1856. He served the University as Professor of Civil Engineering until 1864 and then as a Trustee from 1871 to 1886. Rogers engaged in surveys of the Potomac River for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and was well published on engineering topics. He was equally well known, however, for his abilities as a horseman. A skilled rider, he was also the founder of the Philadelphia Coaching Club and the first person in Philadelphia to drive a four-in-hand.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The collection consists of a scrapbook, a diary and 27 other items, including letters, memos, meeting minutes, lists of students, lecture notes, receipts, accounts, and circulars kept during his tenure as Professor. Of major concern was the restructuring of the School with particular focus on the Department of Mines, Arts, and Manufactures. Included are two pamphlets printed in reaction against the reorganization of the University: Alonzo Potter to J. R. Ingersoll and Henry Verthake to William M. Meridith. The diary includes the journal of the Potomac Survey in 1862.

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

University of Pennsylvania. Dept. of Mines, Arts, and Manufacturers.

University of Pennsylvania. — General subdivision–History.;

Personal Name(s)

Ingersoll, Joseph R., (Joseph Reed), 1786-1868

Meredith, William M., (William Morris), 1799-1873

Potter, Alonzo, 1800-1865

Vethake, Henry, 1792-1866

Subject(s)

Engineering–Study and teaching–Pennsylvania–Philadelphia.

Inventory