ALS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” eight pages, 5 x 7.75, personal letterhead, no date (circa 1915). Lengthy letter to Helen Rhett, the wife of R. Goodwyn Rhett, the former mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, in part: "I am very sorry I didn't know you were here for I would have made an effort to go to the hospital and demand admission to see that you were properly treated. I know a lot of those Johns Hopkins medical men—They are a good many of them Yale men. Dr. Welch, Dr. Halstead, Dr. Janeway, and Dr. Howland and some others—Then Dr. Llewellyn Baker was consulting physician in Mrs. Taft's case. How is that dear old Democrat husband of yours? Why doesn't your party put your good men to the front? I believe you have by mistake a good governor in South Carolina now. Why not give us all a shock of heart disease and send a gentleman and one with the making of a statesman in time to the Senate? Think it over…
Mrs. Taft and I have just been to Bryn Mawr to see Helen graduate. I am very proud that after having been out of Bryn Mawr for three years in social gayety at the White, Helen had the courage to go back and finish her remaining two years and graduate third in a class of 84 and to win the literary prizes of the college. I am hoping she will take three years in graduate work at Yale and receive a PHD degree at Yale. There with Charly, Bob, and Helen we'll have three Yale degrees and one Bryn Mawr. I made the commencement address at Bryn Mawr and came down here and made another one at Bryn Mawr preparatory school today. I have entered myself for the long distance talking prizes. Bryan and I are the only entrees. This war business has given me an advantage. He has to at least spend one day a week in Washington and that is a handicap in our race." In fine condition.
Helen Herron Taft Manning (1891-1987) graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1915 with a bachelor's degree in history. In 1917, at only 26, she became dean of Bryn Mawr, and served as the college's acting president in 1919. Helen did eventually go to Yale University, where she earned a doctorate in history. In 1925, she returned to Bryn Mawr as dean and professor of history.
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