Eben F. Perkins speeches

Collection — Box: Multi 03

Identifier: MS-0043

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains typescripts of two speeches given during commencements. The first was on August 19, 1848 when Perkins was a junior, the topic was Poland. The second speech was during his graduation on August 18, 1849, it addresses the Board, students, and faculty and talks about the pursuit of education.

Dates

1848-1849

Access restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication rights

Copyright has not been assigned to Washington College. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Washington College as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical Information Note

Eben Francis Perkins (1830-1902) was born in Kent County Maryland on June 29. He graduated from Washington College in 1849, he was not the first Perkins to do so, in 1785 Ebenezer Perkins graduated in the College’s third class and was one of the students who gave an oration in French during the laying of the cornerstone. Eben Perkins was also an active member of the College he was one of the founding members of the Mount Vernon Literary Society and after graduation served as Treasurer of the College. He started his career as a teacher but taught himself law and was elected State’s Attorney for Kent County in 1858. He was also an examiner for the public schools and an auditor of the court. Perkins served as the first Captain of the Reed Rifles. He married Mary Edwards Warwick (1834-1909), daughter of Mayor Charles F. Warwick of Philadelphia, in 1864. He died of a heart attack March 17, 1902.