Collection inventory

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Henry O. and Mary J. O’Bryon Sibley Papers

An inventory of their papers at the Syracuse University Archives.

Finding aid created by: Katie Swingly
Date: 2015

Revision history:

Biography

Henry Orrin Sibley was born in 1845 in Royalton, New York. At the age of sixteen, illness forced him to leave high school. During his extended absence, Sibley studied literature and taught vocal music. He graduated from Lockport High School in 1870 at the age of twenty-five. From 1874 to 1885, he served as principal in several public schools in New York State. He entered Syracuse University in 1885 at the age of 40, and graduated in 1889. He went on to receive A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University in 1893. He was the first full-time librarian of the von Ranke Library of Syracuse University, appointed before his graduation. He served as librarian from 1889 to 1904 and was an instructor in library economics from 1892 to 1900. He classified and catalogued materials in the library according to original methods. Sibley was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, for which he served as poet and librarian. According to David Stam, former Syracuse University Librarian, Sibley was “a man of some independent means... a poet and translator of classical poetry.”

Mary J. O’Bryon Sibley was born in 1866 at Malden-on-the-Hudson, New York. When she was six, her parents moved to Elmira, where she received her preparatory education. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1889 and was appointed assistant of the University Library in 1892. She married Henry O. Sibley in 1890. She received M. Ph. and Ph.D. degrees in English Literature from Syracuse University in 1893 and was a member of the American Association of University Women. The 1896 Onondagan commented on her abilities as a librarian, remarking, “Seldom, indeed, is a subject so abstruse or obscure that she cannot find something bearing upon it... and without a doubt she is one of the most competent library workers in the United States.”

According to Stam, “When Sibley became a virtual invalid from diabetes in 1904, Mrs. Sibley was named acting librarian, the Trustees and Chancellor Day apparently unwilling to name a woman to the permanent post formerly occupied by her husband.” Mary Sibley also taught bibliography and library economy classes. Henry Sibley died in 1905; Mary Sibley retired from Syracuse University in 1913.

Quotations from David Stam are excerpted from a speech entitled "Peaks of Joy, Valleys of Despair," which he delivered to members of Syracuse University Library Associates in 1995.

Scope and Content Note

The Henry O. and Mary J. O'Bryon Sibley Papers contain materials related to their time as students, staff, and faculty at Syracuse University. These materials include American Library Association publications and information on copyright legislation. Also included are a journal written by Henry Sibley and his doctoral dissertation. The papers also contain translations, original poems, plays, and essays written by Henry Sibley and genealogical research conducted by Mary Sibley.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Administrative materials created and kept by Henry and Mary Sibley can be found in the Library - Henry O. and Mary J. O'Bryon Sibley Files, also in the University Archives.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Sibley, Henry O.
Sibley, Mary J. O'Bryon.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. Libraries.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Henry O. and Mary J. O’Bryon Sibley Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

There is no documentation as to how the Henry O. and Mary J. O'Bryon Sibley Papers were acquired.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes.

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Papers

Inventory