Grace Lathrop Collin was born in Elmira, N.Y. on March 22,1874 to Emily Lathrop Ripley and Charles A. Collin, a law professor. Her family resided in Ithaca, N.Y., when she attended Ithaca High School and later graduated from Smith College in 1896. She did graduate study at Harvard University and eventually earned a M.A. in English and Drama from Columbia University. Collin went on to pursue a career in writing and had a daily drama/women's column in the New York Evening Sun. Her short stories were published in both Harper's and Ainslee's Magazine. In 1903 a collection of her short stories about New England's diminishing patrician communities was published entitled Putnum Place. Collins remained active in the Smith College Club of New York and the Association of College Alumnae. She died of illness in November 1913 at age 39.

The papers consist primarily of correspondence (originals and typed copies) from Collin to Smith College classmate Mary Aimee Goodman (class of 1896). There are also a few letters to Miriam W. Webb, and a single letter addressed to Mary Aimee Goodman from Grace's father, Charles A. Collin. Grace Collin's early correspondence (1894-1902) is centered around her work and publications, her involvement with the Smith College Club of New York, and her travels. Later letters (1902-1913) focus on her frustration as a professional writer in a male dominated field, her successes, family, and her role in helping to establish the Elizabeth King Memorial Fund for Smith College students.

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Grace Lathrop Collin Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, MA

Processed by Vicki L. Williams (intern), 2003.