Fred Pomeroy correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MC073

Staff Only

Collection Overview

The collection contains incoming and some outgoing correspondence of Bates professor Fred Pomeroy. The majority of the letters is with former students, many of whom maintained long and close relationships with their former professor following graduation. Many letters pertain to the placement of former students in graduate programs and professional positions.

The collection also contains letters with colleagues, friends, and other professional and personal associates. Pomeroy was particularly interested in documenting the number and nature of Bates graduates working in biology, as evidenced by his 1947 publication on the subject. The collection includes correspondence related to this research. Other letters pertain to his work with the Stanton Bird Club and Wavus camp. The collection also contains a few miscellaneous items, such as photographs, which are filed with the non-Bates related correspondence.

Dates

ca. 1900 - ca. 1960

Creator

Pomeroy, Fred E., 1877-1960 (Person)

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research. However, records containing personal student information may be redacted by Archives staff.

Copyright Notice

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

Biographical Note

Fred Elmer Pomeroy was born in Lewiston, Maine on March 6, 1877. Upon his graduation from Bates in 1899 he was hired by the College as an assistant in chemistry and physics and eventually became an instructor in botany. Taking a leave of absence, he obtained his master's degree from Harvard in 1902 and upon his return to Bates, organized the department of biology. Professor Pomeroy did graduate work at MIT and Columbia and received an honorary D.Sc. degree from Hillsdale in 1925.

Professor Pomeroy also served as Dean of Men at the College from 1921-1926 as well as on the athletic committee. Referred to as "Pom" by his students, he guided many of them on to graduate school and edited a book entitled Bates Men and Women in the Biological World 1901-1947, which chronicled the careers of graduates who entered a vocation involving biology.

On Dec. 18, 1902, Professor Pomeroy married Harriet May Piper and they had one son, Stanton Bragdon, born on March 11, 1908. Professor Pomeroy was involved in many civic and social organizations including the Kiwanis Club and the Stanton Bird Club, holding various offices in both. He also served on the Lewiston Police Commission from 1917-1936. Always interested in the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at his camp on Pleasant Pond near Caratunk, Maine. After his retirement in 1947, his interest in Bates and the local community continued as did his correspondence with former students. In 1955, in honor of Professor Pomeroy's commitment to Bates, a scholarship for a promising junior studying biology was established. He died on November 1, 1960 at his home in Lewiston.

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (15 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Incoming and outgoing correspondence of Fred Pomeroy, Bates Professor of Physics. The majority of the letters are with Bates students and alumni regarding their further education and careers; letters documenting his work with the Stanton Bird Club and Wavus camp are also included. Pomeroy was particularly interested in documenting the number and nature of Bates graduates working in biology.