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David H. Childs manuscript: "Yes Siree!"

 File
Identifier: SC MS 0309

Scope and Contents

The loose-leaf manuscript of typed children’s poetry is a departure from the technical nature of Mr. Childs’ career. A rough guess is that possibly Mr. Childs was acquainted with Ruth Lawrence Barker or Ruth MacGregor who collaborated on a children’s book of verse “Nature Verses for Children” published by Kenworthy Printing, Buffalo, N.Y. in 1953. Mr. Childs possibly wrote his own variation of the poetry and Ruth MacGregor agreed to illustrate it for him mimicking the Barker – MacGregor volume of verse. The illustrations are very charming and compliment some of the poems admirably. The manuscript has some pencil blocking indicating a printing plan as well as a two page Table of Contents of the title of the Childs’ poems one of which is “Yes Siree!” and a dedication page “Dedicated to the children whose little hands reach up to grasp yours and mine.” The poetry follows a sequence of a seasonal year winter to winter.

Dates

  • 1953?

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Access Restrictions:Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Use Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Please inquire about copyright information.

Biographical / Historical

David Hope Childs was born in Toronto, Canada August 6, 1872 but had his preparatory education in Towanda High School, Towanda, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lehigh University in the Class of 1898 in Metallurgy. During his time at Lehigh he was a devoted member of the Lehigh University Christian Association, Tau Beta Pi, and Class historian. He produced the Class of 1898’s 40th Anniversary Reunion Class Book. Upon graduation he worked as an assayer for a mining promoter in Mexico but in 1899 returned north and worked for eight years as a chemist for the Aluminum Co. of America in Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh and East St. Louis. He then taught for three years at Alfred University and in the summer of 1910 did special work at Cornell University in Physics and Electricity. He was then offered a better job in Buffalo, N.Y. as head of the science department of the Technical High School and six years later became its principal remaining in that position until retirement in 1935. He also taught at University of Buffalo. He spent his retirement years gardening at his farm in Camptown near Wyalusing, Pa. Upon the death of his wife he returned to Buffalo to be closer to his brother and sister. Always interested in his students, he became a counselor to the men working at Buffalo Arms Corporation as many of these men were his former students. He died November 17, 1963 in Buffalo, N.Y. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, the Engineering Society of Buffalo and the Buffalo Schoolmasters.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 Volume, 28 x 22 cm)

Abstract

This is a charming collection of juvenile poetry and illustrations generally unknown in the body of children’s literature. The poetry is attributed to a Lehigh alumnus who graduated with a degree in metallurgy. The poetry seems to express the author’s fondness for nature and his family feelings.

Acquisition Information

Manuscript received from Cornell University April 25, 2014.

Title
David H. Childs manuscript: "Yes Siree!" SC MS 0309
Author
Eleanor Nothelfer.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English.
Sponsor
Lehigh University Library and Technology Services.

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
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Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
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