George Washington Keely papers (MS.1U.K1)

These papers primarily consist of correspondence with Keely's father, Rev. George Keely (1772-1865), and his brother, Josiah Keely, from 1820 to 1834. Many of the letters describe aspects of student life, such as boarding arrangements; the Brown University curricula; and trips to and from Brown and Keely's home in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Other Brown subjects documented include the controversy over the beliefs, tacitly Arianism or Unitarianism, of Asa Messer, the University President. The dissension among the Brown students and faculty regarding this controversy is described in the letters. The Benedictine affair, that is discussed in a number of letters, probably refers to the writings of David Benedict, a Baptist minister, regarding Messer. Other subjects, documented in correspondence from John Kingsbury (1801-1874), include the Providence Franklin Society and chemistry classes for women in Kingsbury's Young Ladies High School.