E. Wilson and Carolyn Bartel Lyon papers, 1824-1991 and undated, bulk 1930-1980

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Summary

Creators:
Lyon, Carolyn Bartel, 1908-2006 and Lyon, E. Wilson (Elijah Wilson), 1904-1989
Abstract:
The collection consists of the papers of E. (Elijah) Wilson Lyon (1904-1989) and his wife, Carolyn Bartel Lyon (1908-2006). E. Wilson Lyon was appointed the sixth President of Pomona College in Claremont, California, in 1941 and led the college for almost three decades - the longest serving president in the college’s history - retiring in 1969. E. Wilson Lyon’s papers consist of files from his scholarly and administrative work, extensive file material bearing on his scholarly interests in history and in higher education, as well as the raw material from his book research and publishing, most notably from his History of Pomona College 1887-1969. Mrs. Lyon’s papers prominently feature a broken run of personal diaries from 1952-1988.
Extent:
49 linear feet (27 records boxes; 13 document boxes; 3 slim document boxes; 7 pamphlet boxes; 7 flat boxes; 1 textile box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English , some in French .

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the papers of E. Wilson Lyon and his wife, Carolyn Bartel Lyon.

The bulk of E. Wilson Lyon’s papers consists of raw material (clippings, research notes, minutes, etc.) for his scholarly and administrative work through copies of speeches, to correspondence. Some material is of particular interest to the history of Pomona College including a substantial amount of ephemeral materials pertaining to Pomona College, the Claremont Colleges, and to some extent, Claremont. Included are copies of brochures, leaflets, etc. from World War I and before, early years for the Colleges and community. There is extensive file material bearing on Lyon’s scholarly interests in history and in higher education. The raw material of Lyon’s books is also included – from note cards and reading notes through handwritten drafts and successive typed drafts and onto galleys. Awards, honorary degrees and other certificates of achievement as well as memorabilia in the form of photo albums, scrapbooks can also be found in the collection. Lastly, a variety of commencement hoods and a Pomona College banner are part of the collection.

Carolyn Bartel Lyon’s papers consists of a broken run of diaries covering 1952-1988 as well as file materials covering the 1940s-1980s, work on another women’s college in Claremont, committee work, research on China, correspondence, speeches and sermons as well as information on the Bartel family and Earlham College.

Acquisition information:
Most of the collection was gifted by Carolyn Bartel Lyon and Elizabeth Lyon Webb in 1992. Previous gifts were received in 1986 and 1987 from E. Wilson Lyon. Additions to the collection were made in 1993, 1999 and 2009 by the Lyon family.
Arrangement:

This collection has been arranged in the following series and subseries:

  • Series 1: E. Wilson Lyon papers, 1824-1991 and undated
  • Subseries 1.1: Awards and honors, 1921-1978 and undated
  • Subseries 1.2: History of Pomona College, 1894-1977 and undated
  • Subseries 1.3: Memorabilia, 1945-1980
  • Subseries 1.4: Papers, 1824-1991 and undated
  • Subseries 1.5: Textiles, undated
  • Series 2: Carolyn Bartel Lyon papers, 1940-1989 and undated
  • Subseries 2.1: Diaries, 1952-1988
  • Subseries 2.2: Papers, 1940-1989 and undated
Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607‑3977
specialcollections@claremont.edu
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