Occasionally, we stop to take note of a new acquisition.  This time, it’s a manuscript musical score donated by Michael Clive of Connecticut entitled  “Spinks Spunk: a Pyramidal Biologue” for orchestra, piano and other individual instruments written in 1908 by members of Haverford’s class of 1909, especially composer M.C. Spiers and lyricist Alfred Lowry Jr. Individual sections have such titles as “Class Song, 1909,” “Faculty Life,” and “Army March,” allowing a glimpse of a different time at Haverford.  Another manuscript collection here in Special Collections, the Bacon Family papers, gave us insight into who “Spink” was: Alfred Lowry.

Alfred Lowry Jr. (1888-1935), was the son of William C. Lowry and Elizabeth Webster and husband of Grace Bacon Lowry, and received his B.A. and M.A. from Haverford College in 1909 and 1910 respectively.  He was a teacher of German and later French, was Secretary General of Alliance Universelle des Union Chretiennes de Jeunes Gens, a section of the YMCA, 1916-1920, then performed religious work in Central Europe, 1920.  He was a recorded minister in the Society of Friends.

Mark Herbert Carver Spiers (1886- ), son  of Isadore Spiers and Jane Williams and husband of Faith Randall, was a “Spoon Man” at Haverford, an award given to the best all-around student.  He was also president of his class, manager of the football team and a leader of the Glee Club while at Haverford.  He went on to be Headmaster at Spiers Junior School, then a salesman and insurance agent.

Our expectations on the potential interest among today’s Haverfordians for this unique item are high.