About the Earl G. Harrison Jr. Quaker Rare Book Collection
In 1998, present and former members of the Board of Trustees commissioned a collection of Quaker rare books to honor retiring Head of School Earl Harrison. Housed in the School Archives, this growing resource is open to researchers, including students and other members of the Sidwell Friends community. The initial donation of 34 books has now grown to more than 900 items, dating from 1655 to the early 20th century. These works document the development of Quaker history, philosophy, and thought. This special collection also includes newspapers, letters, broadsides, and pamphlets on topics ranging from the cruelties enacted on Friends in London (1662) to the "moral dangers" of theatrical performances (1860s). A number of items related to antislavery in the mid-1800s have also been acquired. While the Archives actively seeks materials at auction and from rare book dealers, Haverford, Swarthmore, and Guilford College have donated many items to the Harrison Collection.
See the Quaker Rare Book Collection Bibliography, updated periodically.
Additional Quaker rare books can be found in the Thomas W. and Frances Haldeman Sidwell Collection.
Using the Library Catalog to Find Books in the Quaker Rare Book Collection
Materials in the Earl G. Harrison Jr. Quaker Rare Book Collection are being added to the Sidwell Friends School Library Catalog. To find Quaker materials in the catalog, combine the keyword for the topic you are researching (e.g. peace) with 'archives' searched as a call number. To search by call number, select 'Call Number' from the drop-down menu box on the search page.
