Collection ID:
Ead Download EAD

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell), 1820-1906
Abstract:
This collection consists of papers about Susan B. Anthony, the Rochester, New York based women’s rights activist. The materials date between 1837 and 1998, with a bulk of the materials dated between 1890 and 1945. The materials are comprised of photographs, correspondence, newspaper articles, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and ephemera.
Extent:
2.5 cubic feet, 8 boxes, and 1 map drawer
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Susan B. Anthony Papers, [box#:folder#]. Rochester Museum & Science Center, Rochester, N.Y.

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of papers about Susan B. Anthony, the Rochester, New York based women’s rights activist. The materials date between 1837 and 1998, with a bulk of the materials dated between 1890 and 1945. The materials are comprised of photographs, correspondence, newspaper articles, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and ephemera.

The collection is an artificial collection created through many different donors and donations throughout the years. The correspondence consists of letters from Daniel Anthony, Susan B.’s father. Other letters in the collection are from Mary S. Anthony and Lucy E. Anthony (sister to Susan B. Anthony).

In the category of printed materials, there are several folders of newspaper clippings, printed tickets, pamphlets, invitations, and announcements. This series also includes bound volumes of The Revolution newspaper.

In addition to the above materials, there are four scrapbooks concerning Susan B. Anthony and the Suffrage movement. The photographs include rare pictures of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Mary S. Anthony. The collection has been inventoried to item level.

Biographical / Historical:

Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906) was a reformer and leader in the Women's Suffrage movement. Her early work was concerned with temperance; in 1852 she organized the Women's State Temperance Society of New York.

Her interest in getting women the right to vote was steadily nurtured by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, whom she met in 1851. After a brief interlude of campaigning for dress reform (she was one of the early champions of the bloomer), she turned her full attention towards Women's Suffrage.

In 1873, Susan B. Anthony and several other women were tried and convicted in Canandaigua, New York on the charge of voting illegally in the Presidential election of 1872.

Until her death on March 13, 1906, her life was filled with lectures, meetings, and maintaining a tremendous correspondence, all in the cause of "perfect equality of rights for women."

Acquisition information:
This collection is an artificially created collection spawning from multiple donation sources.
Custodial history:

The four scrapbooks were collected by the Woman Suffrage Party of Monroe County and donated by Emma B. Sweet, Susan B. Anthony’s personal secretary. Several of the Susan B. Anthony letters were gifted to the Museum by Gertrude Blackall. One of the letters and a postcard was donated by Mrs. William Peck Farley, Jr. The letters of Danial Anthony were donated by Lucy Anthony.

Processing information:

The collection was an artificially created collection. Original item level inventory was created in 1974. In 1997, the collection was rehoused and inventoried. The inventory was, again, updated in 2001. In 2018, the archivist created a finding aid up to current standards and added an appendix with the item level inventory.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

There are no restrictions to access to or use of this collection. Some portions of this collection may have limited access due to condition. Please contact librarian for appointment.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Copyright is held by the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Copyright of the papers in the collection may be held by the authors, or their heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the Rochester Museum & Science Center before transmission, reproduction, publication, or presentation (public display, performance, internet presentation) for quotations or images from the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the Museum’s usual policies unless otherwise specified.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Susan B. Anthony Papers, [box#:folder#]. Rochester Museum & Science Center, Rochester, N.Y.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Schuyler C. Townson Library
657 East Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607, United States
Link to repository site
CONTACT:
585-697-1947