Philip DeWitt Phair Scrapbook
Phair taught economics at Trinity from 1897-1899, and went on to become Chief Assistant in the Documents Division of the Library of Congress, 1899-1910. During his time in Washington, D.C. Phair was a founder of the American Political Science Association and the American Society of International Law. After receiving his LL. B he returned home to Presque Isle, where he practiced law until his retirement in 1948. In 1958 Trinity College awarded him The Alumni Medal of Excellence, given annually to alumni for significant contributions to the college, their professions and to the community. Phair died in 1965. After his death, his estate established a $15,000 endowment for the Trinity College Library to purchase books about Great Britain, Ireland and France. An interesting historical mystery surrounding Phair is that it has been alleged that he is Napoleon Bonaparte’s great-grandson. This has not been verified.
The first of a three volume set, Phair’s scrapbook documents life at Trinity and college life in the late 19th century. The latter section includes Phair’s life at Harvard. The scrapbook provides an insight into what Phair, and presumably other college students of the time considered to be important artifacts of their college careers. Phair seems to have participated enthusiastically in life at Trinity, attending dinners, plays, musical performances and athletic events. He was active in class activities, attended dances, and scored well on his examinations in history, math and religion.
The scrapbook shows what was served at meals, what events took place at gymnastic and track meets, what topics were covered at an oratorical contest, what were popular operas and plays, and what music was performed at dances. One can also learn about late 19th century college math problems, questions about the U.S. Constitution, an English history exam, and see the hand-written invitation to dinner from a faculty spouse to a student for dinner. Overall, the book enables us to take a look at how one student from the late 19th century perceived his college experience.