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Descriptive Summary

Call No.: SC 60
Repository: Radcliffe College Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute
Creator: Ann Radcliffe
Title: Collection relating to Ann Radcliffe, 1894-1977
Quantity: 1/2 file box
Abstract: Correspondence, genealogical charts, clippings, etc., about Ann Radcliffe, the first woman donor to Harvard College.

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BIOGRAPHY

Ann Radcliffe, or Lady Mowlson, established the first scholarship at Harvard College in 1643- the sum of one hundred pounds to aid "some poore Scholar". She was born in London in 1576, married Thomas Mowlson in 1600, and had two children, both of whom died young. Her husband died in 1658, leaving her half of his estate which she managed so well that its value was increased considerably. She was a shrewd, independent and active woman who lent money to Parliament and espoused the Puritan cause. She died in 1661. As Ann Radcliffe was the first woman donor to Harvard College, it was suggested by President Eliot that her name be taken by the as yet unnamed Harvard "Annex." In 1894, The Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women became Radcliffe College, adopting her coat of arms as its official seal.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Articles on the life of Ann Radcliffe, clippings, genealogical charts, correspondence, photostats, information on the Lady Mowlson Scholarship, and information on the Radcliffe Seals.

INVENTORY

• 1. Ann Radcliffe, life of (1576-1661); articles by Andrew McFarland Davis, Samuel Eliot Morrison, and Wilbur Kitchener Jordon; clippings.
  See also folder #7. 1894-1949.

• 2. Ann Radcliffe, genealogy; pedigree, American and European Radcliffe families.
  See also folder #7. 1894-193?.

• 3. Radcliffe family data, also includes correspondence (1951).

• 4. Ann Radcliffe, the Lady Mowlson Scholarship; photostat and ts. of information re gift to Harvard College given in 1643.

• 5. Radcliffe College, original seal, in use 1894-1936; examples and imprints of seal, correspondence by Le Baron Russell Briggs. 1894-1923.

• 6. Radcliffe College, creation and adoption of present seal; articles, report from heraldry committee, article on Pierre de la Rose; sketches. 1936-1940.

• 7f+. Photostat of will of AR and genealogical chart.

Additional catalog entries

SEPARATION RECORD

The following item has been removed from the collection:

• Mowlson chapel and coat of arms

Photographs have been removed to the photograph collection.

The following items have been removed from the collection:

• See RGXX, ser. 2: Radcliffe, Ann, coat of arms