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 Series

ELIZABETH BYRNE FERM PAPERS,, 1895-1949

Dates

  • 1895-1949

Scope and Contents

Summary: Typescripts of published and unpublished writings by and about Elizabeth Byrne Ferm (1857-1944), co-principal of the Modern School.

This series includes the complete manuscript of Elizabeth Ferm's book Freedom in Education (New York, 1949), which was a collection of her writings assembled after her death by her husband Alexis Ferm, as well as earlier drafts of some of the pieces. It also contains published versions and typescripts of articles from Mother Earth, The Modern School, Progressive Education, and the journal Child Life (1897), which only lasted for one year. In some cases there are several versions of each article.

In addition, this series contains typescripts of lectures on early childhood education that Elizabeth Ferm gave in the 1890s and early 1900s; typescript poems dated 1906; unpublished manuscripts and parts of manuscripts on early childhood education, some theoretical and some recounting incidents at the Modern School; and miscellaneous notes on various educational topics.

The articles about Elizabeth Ferm include typescripts of published interviews, a chapter from a book, an obituary from the newsletter The Roman Forum, and several reviews of Freedom in Education, one a typescript written by Los Angeles anarchist Jules Scarceriaux, and several from newspapers.

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English, Yiddish, and Spanish

Conditions Governing Access

Brittle items from the Modern School records, school publications, and the Alexis Ferm and Elizabeth Byrne Ferm papers have been photocopied onto acid-free paper. The originals are stored separately, and are not meant to be used by researchers.