New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-22
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
FEMALE BACHELORS OF ARTS.
THE HONOR OF FIRST CONFIRMING THE DE-
GREE OF A.. on WOMEN CLAIMED
FOR GENEsEE COLLEGE.


FOR GENESEE COLLEGE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The article in The Tribune OF March ~ rom
the pen OF NJ p Calvert OF interest and III most
points historically correct. grand history mas
crowned Emira Female College. and all honor 10 freS-
dent Augustus W. COwles. But Is it true that tlis
Institution. however noble its history. has the nohor
Of priority in granting the degree OF A. B' 10
woman1 This institution confcssedly graduated It's
first class in 1853, seventeen receiving the degree OF
4. b.
The record OF Genesee College, now Syracuse Uni
versy, lies before me and find that this college,
chartered by the state Of Eew-lOrk in conformity
with its charter, graduated I'm 1853 its first class
consisting of three one of whom received b. =. ana
the other two A. h., one of the latter being woman
who took the degree Of A. NJ. in course from Her
alma mater in ls5G Elmira Female College had the
honor of filing its chair of ancient languages with
th, lady graduate Of Gcncsee from the year 1888 to
the year 1862, though she married in 1894 Dr
G.. O. spence, with whom she now resides III '"Ne
land. Il all This is true. old Genesee. we must
now call her syracuse University. antedaied Eimira
Female College by SIX year, In comforting the degree
Of A. b. upon woman. In the class OF 1894 In
GcneScc College there was another woman who took
the degree Of A. T., Sarah Loulsc Jacknan. and
A. VI. also conferred upon her in course in 1871
She was for three years preceptor Of Cooperstown
Seminary in this state, and is now. we are informed
the wife Of Dr. Paul Gregory at Marlla Erie County
y. Y.
Gcnesee College conferred the degree Of A. b. also
upon three women in 1-j6. One was married ana her
husband took the degree at the same time They
were already married when they entered the freshman
class refer to Mr. and Mrs John Allison. vii known in
Nova Scotia. Wisconsin and Minnesota. several women
received at the commencement the degree Of H. -
one OF whom has since received the degree OF LL H.
from the National University and has occupied
various literary positions. In 1873 she was admitted
10 the bar Of the supreme Court and in l-10 to the
United states supreme Court and To the United states
Court Of Claims. and. in fact. Is established as -
lawyer in Washington. and is known the world over
as Mrs. Belva Ann Lockwood. She is the widow OF
the Rev. Ezekiel Lockwood.
Now comes 1883 the year when Elmira College he
Gan IFS career Gcncscc College in that year be
slowed the degree Of T. Il. upon ono Of tho newest
gentlcst and purcst spirits ever knew. Esther Ann
Warner. who received the degree of \. NJ In course
in l-G2 In 1853 she married her classmatc. Charlie
Henry Fowler. bishop Of the Methodist EpiScopa
Church He was then. as now. concedcdy OF majestic
intellect and yet, that santed " llette' closely
contested with him the first honor OF the Glass; ana
received the second but her retiring spirit led her To
waive the "salutatory7 and she crowned the com
mcncemcnt exercises with an essay While 'ile
future bishop valcdIcoTan.'
Thirty years have since passed. and In almost every
one Of them Gcnesce College, now syracuse Uni
vcrsty has graduated more y. BIS of ulc
female persuasion and with not an exception AZ
far ~ know they are doing noble work I'm the home
the field Of literature. the department of benevoch'e
etc. \ grand race Of women they are. have out
lined the history of Of them. and perhaps tn'N
will never forgive for II. nut wanted the W"t" 10
know that wien t,cnc,e, College, lnr In TIE adVal,'
resolved al IL, organization {, admit women u an Us
privilege, aud honOrs. II they would only submit I"
examinations H. rigid the men ana expect 10
ImmunteS on account OF their sex her founders dld
h.-.i, md
college indeed am not hut III" professors were
morr exactng because thc> knew that they were con
stautly un;cr suspicion of conducting Female lcg,
win an that tins title imputed in the od'u time
nlsp wanted Il known that an experience now InpdV
approachng half century Ia, proved That ior young
women t. share Al time and placc with young
men ~ all the duties Of college tecltauohS' cA
aminaons. public occasions. chapel cf.. does mol IN
the least unScX them cndangcr them. Wlllc uil'
association commands respect for the lntellcft oi
women from those who have called thcmsclvc, the
magnificent campus Of syracuse University that are
manifest examples Of all this. Until the present year
the faculty Of Fine Arts Of SyracuSc University was
favored with the lahprS 90 Professor y y. Wells now
Cleveland. His paintings and ct"hnrS are not l1n
familiar TO the bet critics 81 NcwN orb city lie had
the good sense 20 marry. In 1873. Mis-, Flora Els A. H.
Though OF the highest rank In her classical ana Matte
matical studies at Gcnc,ec College, she was dl.-
tngnished also in music both instrumental and vocal
and after graduation devoted her life Ia this depart
mcnt. For racu-c University was blessed win
the instructions and innucpc" of both husband and
wife i'm this case each I'm their chosen speciality. Yet
they had n bright aud ho~pitahlc home and hoy he
fore whom trust is glorious manhood More /
would give Won IL you hut had the room.
New York, March l.. 1871. j. VI. REID.