Occasionally, we stop to take note of a new acquisition.  This time, it’s a manuscript musical score donated by Michael Clive of Connecticut entitled  “Spinks Spunk: a Pyramidal Biologue” for orchestra, piano and other individual instruments written in 1908 by members of Haverford’s class of 1909, especially composer M.C. Spiers and lyricist Alfred Lowry Jr. Individual sections have such titles as “Class Song, 1909,” “Faculty Life,” and “Army March,” allowing a glimpse of a different time at Haverford.  Another manuscript collection here in Special Collections, the Bacon Family papers, gave us insight into who “Spink” was: Alfred Lowry.

Alfred Lowry Jr. (1888-1935), was the son of William C. Lowry and Elizabeth Webster and husband of Grace Bacon Lowry, and received his B.A. and M.A. from Haverford College in 1909 and 1910 respectively.  He was a teacher of German and later French, was Secretary General of Alliance Universelle des Union Chretiennes de Jeunes Gens, a section of the YMCA, 1916-1920, then performed religious work in Central Europe, 1920.  He was a recorded minister in the Society of Friends.

Mark Herbert Carver Spiers (1886- ), son  of Isadore Spiers and Jane Williams and husband of Faith Randall, was a “Spoon Man” at Haverford, an award given to the best all-around student.  He was also president of his class, manager of the football team and a leader of the Glee Club while at Haverford.  He went on to be Headmaster at Spiers Junior School, then a salesman and insurance agent.

Our expectations on the potential interest among today’s Haverfordians for this unique item are high.

• Deborah Roberts, Professor of Comparative Literature and Classics, and Bret Mulligan, Assistant Professor of Classics, discuss the traditional study of Greek and Roman literature and language at Haverford College.
• Emma Lapsansky, Professor of History and Curator of the Quaker Collection, discusses the controlled nature of the curriculum at Haverford College in the 19th Century.
• Darin Hayton, Assistant Professor of the History of Science, talks about the historical significance of some of the science volumes in the Haverford Library’s 1836 catalog.
• Bruce Partridge, Professor of Astronomy, describes three different categories of materials he notices in the early Haverford Library collection: popular works, scholarly works, and textbooks.

Please join us for a lecture by Steven Rothman, noted Christopher Morley scholar and curator of the current exhibition in the Philips Wing, on Morley and his life-long relationship with Haverford College. Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 4:30 pm in the Philips Wing of Magill Library, Haverford College. Refreshments will be served.

Christopher Morley (1890-1957) was a prolific and popular novelist, editor, playwright, poet, essayist, and book lover. But more than anything, Morley was a devoted Haverfordian, who grew up on the campus (his father was a beloved mathematics professor), graduated from the college in 1910, and returned as a successful writer to give lectures and visit brother Felix, who became Haverford’s fifth president. On the fiftieth anniversary of Christopher Morley’s death we honor this “local boy made good” and his lifelong commitment to Haverford College.

For more information on our exhibition and events:
http://www.haverford.edu/library/special/