Olive A. Colton papers

The papers of Olive A. Colton document the life of a socially, politically, and philanthropically active woman from the turn of the century into the early 1960s. Most of the papers are autobiographical chapters and essays and journal entries on her life and work. Also included are a few letters, some miscellaneous writings, and a number of newspaper clippings.

Of the three letters, two are from Amy G. Maher, a close friend and fellow social activist, and are indicative of the friendship, discussing literature, philosophy, family, and mutual friends. The third is not totally identified and discusses family and weather.

The autobiography and essays chronicle Colton's family background, childhood, young adulthood, a romantic relationship with an Englishman, early recognition of poverty and problems of the poor, the long political reforms for women, children, and the working class, travels in Europe and the United States, her friends and colleagues, and memorable incidents and persons in her life, such as an audience with Pope Pius X, the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Washington in 1939, the Smead sisters, and Carrie Chapman Catt.

The journal entries are scattered through the years 1919 and 1946 to 1961. The entries pertain primarily to her travels; weather; her illnesses; the activities, illnesses, marriages, births, and deaths of family and friends; and world and national events such as wars, the establishment of the United Nations, and presidential elections. Also included are newspaper clippings of poetry and prose, family social and political activities, various obituaries, and a few of her published essays and letters to the editor on contemporary political and social issues, which are useful in delineating her views and philosophy in those areas. Additionally, a published work, Rambles Abroad, written by Colton in 1904, which describes her journeys abroad, is included in the collection. The Romance of Royalty, 1908, portrays the lives and personalities of members of the royal families of Denmark, Austria, Russia, Prussia, France, and England.