George Washington Keely was born in Northampton, England on December 25, 1803 to Reverend George and Mary Keely. In 1820, Keely became a student at Brown University as a member of the class of 1824. From 1825 to 1828, Keely tutored Brown students in Latin and Greek. After a year as an associate principal at a private school in Providence, Keely was made professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Waterville (now Colby) College in Waterville, Maine. Keely held this position from 1829 to 1852. Following his work at Waterville College, Keely worked with the United States Coast Survey and was a correspondent of the Royal Observatory of England. Keely resided in Waterville, Maine until his death in 1878.
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George Washington Keely papers, MS-1U-K1, Brown University Archives.
These papers primarily consist of correspondence with Keely's father, Rev. George Keely (1772-1865), and his brother, Josiah Keely, from 1820 to 1834. Many of the letters describe aspects of student life, such as boarding arrangements; the Brown University curricula; and trips to and from Brown and Keely's home in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Other Brown subjects documented include the controversy over the beliefs, tacitly Arianism or Unitarianism, of Asa Messer, the University President. The dissension among the Brown students and faculty regarding this controversy is described in the letters. The Benedictine affair, that is discussed in a number of letters, probably refers to the writings of David Benedict, a Baptist minister, regarding Messer. Other subjects, documented in correspondence from John Kingsbury (1801-1874), include the Providence Franklin Society and chemistry classes for women in Kingsbury's Young Ladies High School.
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Brown University Archives, Biographical Files Collection
Dr. Messer has assisted him in finding a room in the College; describes college routine, meals.
Unable to room with Mr. Hale at Brown; suggests he board out for six weeks.
Statement of his college bills for room, services, furniture.
His illness; Dr. MacKea (Mackie), college doctor, has treated him, and Mr. Cutler, former merchant studying for the ministry, is caring for him.
Has declined invitation to deliver 4th of July oration; is reading Cowper and Gray.
Advice to his brother; has declined dinner invitation of Nicholas Brown as he must stay in college to preserve the peace.
Has applied for teaching position in Boston; quotes Deacon Heman Lincoln's reply; advice on composition.
His return trip to Brown University; has learned of prostitution in the college. Messer reports that Dr. Bolles is suspicious of Mr. Rice.
Description of a storm; killing of a youth in Providence for stealing peaches.
Sharp has not answered his letter; many at Brown want to remove Tristam Burges; relates Burges's opinion of Woods and Messer and a statement by a member of the Corporation that he and Crane have been writing against some of the Corporation.
Mr. Holroyd has dropped contest and left town; reaction to the "new system" at Brown; Wayland not yet inaugurated.
Is teaching all Greek and Latin at Brown; mode of teaching has been altered. He remains at Brown lest he appear to have been driven out, to give Wayland's system a fair trial, and because he is determined that students be well taught while he is in charge of department of languages. Prof. Elton has not yet arrived.
Letter added by Thomas Keely. Concerns visit home and trip back to Providence.
Beginning of letter missing. Mentions Daniel Leach, student; criticizes teaching of Romeo Elton.
Discussion with Romeo Elton about letters George Keely, Sr. brought from English; Fisher's mental derangement; has seen Nicholas Brown and Dr. Messer; mentions failure of two Rhode Island manufacturers, Abraham and Isaac Wilkinson of Pawtucket and Harris of Smithfield.
Settlement of his old business; ill health; news of mutual acquaintance, Whitman.
Nicholas Brown has assured him that George Washington Keely has his support; discusses plot against Keely with reference to Benedict, Crane, Sharp, Woods, Field, Collier, Barnes. Glad that he got written vouchers from Field (regarding authorship of items supporting President Messer published in the Independent Inquirer).
His work with Franklin Society, Teachers Association and Providence Atheanaeum; rise of literary and scientific taste in Providence.
Describes course in natural philosophy; more emphasis on classic literature at Brown and deficiency in rhetoric. Dr. Tobey president of new young men's temperance society. P.S. to Mrs. Keely.
Gratitude to Keely for his teaching; his health; will commence school in Carver.