Colby, James Fairbanks, 1850-1939

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1850 - 1939

Biography

James Fairbanks Colby was born November 18, 1850, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, the son of James K. and Sarah (Pierce) Colby. After graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy. Colby attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1872. He received his AM from Yale in 1877 and his LL B from George Washington University in 1875. Colby died in Hanover, New Hampshire, October 21, 1939.

Colby was an instructor of economics and history at the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University from 1879 until 1881 and taught international law at Yale Law School from 1883 until 1885. At Dartmouth College he was an instructor of history from 1885 until 1893, a professor of political economics from 1885 until 1898, and Joel Parker professor of law and political science from 1885 until 1916. He also taught constitutional and international law at Amos Tuck School of Business Administration from 1900 until 1908, and lectured in jurisprudence and international law at Boston University Law School from 1905 until 1922.

In 1902, he was a delegate to the New Hampshire Constitutional Convention; he compiled and edited the Manual of the Constitution of the State of New Hampshire, 1902, as well as the revised 2nd edition in 1912. Never a candidate for public office himself, Colby exerted influence on political reform and the Progressive Movement in New Hampshire.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

James Colby papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-527

MS-527

Date(s): 1870 to 1939

Abstract James Fairbanks Colby (1850-1939), instructor of economics. Dartmouth College Class of 1872. The collection contains correspondence and other materials documenting Colby's involvement and interest in New Hampshire political reform and the Progressive Movement, but also his career as a professor of law and political science at Dartmouth College. Also included in the collection are papers of James Arthur Tufts, consisting of approximately 150 letters to Tufts from others involved in the reform...

James F. Colby collection on Pine Park, Hanover, NH

Collection

Identifier: MS-1442

MS-1442

Date(s): 1809 to 1977

Content Description The collection contains correspondence, agreements, By-Laws and other governing documents, as well as stock certificates, bills, receipts and a deed, related to the establishment of Pine Park in Hanover. Pine Park was created to prevent the Diamond Match company from buying the pine forest on the northwest side of the village of Hanover in 1900. The only way to insure the preservation of the land was to buy the over 45 acres land for $4,000. Most of the money was raised by...