Modern constitutions
Contributors: Harvard Cooperative Society
Series: Collections of the Harvard University Archives; Making of modern law
Publisher: Harvard Co-operative Society
Published: 1899
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng; fre
Number of pages: 127
Subjects: Library; Marginal notes; Presidents; Curricula; Constitutions; Harvard University
Other titles: Modern constitutions,
Notes: Although "Part I" appears prominently on the title page, the cataloger could find no evidence that additional parts were published.

has been heavily annotated throughout. Loose sheets of notes in Lowell’s handwriting are inserted inside the front cover.

received from the estate of Abbott Lawrence Lowell, November 17, 1948.

Modern constitutions (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard Co-operative Society, 1899; copy owned by Abbott Lawrence Lowell). HUG 4532.30, Harvard University Archives.

It is likely that this selection of texts was assembled for the entry-level, high-enrollment course entitled "Constitutional Government" taught at Harvard College. This volume served to distribute to students a selection of reading materials such as those included in 20th- and 21st-century "Coursepacks."

The Harvard Co-operative Society was founded in 1882 by members of the Harvard community in order to avoid inflated prices for books and supplies at stores in Harvard Square. Faculty provided lists of required course texts to the Co-operative Society which then purchased both texts and other supplies collectively. This volume indicates that the Co-operative Society also published texts for use in Harvard courses.

Abbott Lawrence Lowell (1856-1943) was president of Harvard University from 1909 to 1933. Before his presidency, he also taught political science and government at Harvard as a lecturer and professor from 1897 to 1909. The University's annual reports for 1899 through 1902 indicate that Lowell taught an entry-level course entitled "Constitutional Government" to over 400 students.

In English and French, chiefly English. Constitutions of France and Switzerland in French. All other text in English, including constitutions of Prussia and the German Empire.
Table of contents: title: The Articles of Confederation – The Virginia Plan – The Jersey Plan – Constitution of the United States – Act of Congress, Jan. 19, 1886 – Act of Congress, Feb. 3, 1887 – Constitution of the Confederate States [selections]– Constitution of the Dominion of Canada – Federal Constitution of Switzerland – Constitution of France – Constitution of the German Empire – Constitution of Prussia – Executive Departments in Various Countries.