Arthur John Hopkins was born on September 20, 1864, in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He graduated from Amherst College in 1885. He was principal of the Cotuit (Mass.) High School, 1886-1888; taught science in the Peekskill (N.Y.) Military Academy, 1888-1890; studied at Johns Hopkins University, 1890-1893, where he was a fellow in 1892 and earned his PhD; and was a professor of chemistry at Westminster College in Pennsylvania, 1893-1894. He then returned to teach at Amherst College, first as an assistant and associate professor of chemistry 1894-1907, and a full professor from 1907 until his retirement in 1934. He died on November 10, 1939, in Amherst, Massachusetts.

He wrote many scientific articles and a book, Alchemy, Child of Greek Philosophy. He was an authority on the history of alchemy.

Correspondence, draft writings, articles, notes and other materials documenting the career of Hopkins as a scientist and professor of chemistry at Amherst College. His scientific notes and writings chiefly document research in the field of alchemy, but there is also some material on the calculation of latitude and longitude. In addition, the papers include some correspondence of his wife, Margaret Briscoe Hopkins, as well as genealogical information.

This collection is organized into six series:

• 1. Correspondence
• 2. Manuscripts of Articles and Lectures
• 3. Manuscripts, Notes, etc. on Research in Alchemy
• 4. Published Articles
• 5. Notes
• 6. Miscellaneous