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Newton A. Wells Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Steffi Chappell
Date: 2014

Revision history:

Biography

Newton Alonzo Wells was born in Lisbon, New York on April 9, 1852. He began at Syracuse University in 1873 and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting in 1877. Three years later, in 1880, Wells completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting. While a student at Syracuse University, Wells was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. In 1878 he married Flora A. Ellis, a graduate of Genesee College. Together the couple had one son and one daughter.

Wells taught at many colleges and universities throughout his career. After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree, Wells worked for two years at Union College in Schenectady, New York, teaching drawing and geometry. In 1879 Syracuse University hired Wells as a Professor of Drawing, and he worked for the University until 1889. That year, he was named as the Dean of the School of Art at Western Reserve University. A year later, Wells left academia and spent the next decade working and exhibiting his art in both the United States and Europe, including the Annual Salon in Paris in 1896-1897. In 1899 the artist accepted a position as the Professor of the History and Practice of Painting at the University of Illinois. In 1904, the job was renamed the Professor of Architectural Decoration. Wells held this position until September of 1919, when he retired as Professor Emeritus.

In 1920 Wells began to travel abroad extensively. The artist died on January 16, 1923, while on a trip to Algeria.

Scope and Content Note

The Newton A. Wells Papers contains four unbound portfolios of etchings and one holiday greeting card, all produced during the artist's time as a student and professor at Syracuse University. Three of the portfolios contain etchings produced by the artist, and one portfolio has etchings by both Wells and his students. The etchings are of a variety of subjects, including Syracuse University buildings, such as Holden Observatory, the construction of Crouse College, and the home of Delta Upsilon, as well as the Syracuse Erie Canal weigh lock building, and various landscapes, portraits, and still lives. Also included in the collection is one unbound and unmounted etching by Nellie Elvena Angell, Class of 1889.

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 University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The Archives holds a clipping file and portrait file on Newton A. Wells.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Wells, Newton Alonzo.
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Types of Material

Etchings (prints)

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Newton A. Wells Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection originate from a variety of sources. Stanley Warner (Class of 1919) donated one portfolio to the Archives in 1964, and the University purchased another portfolio in 1970 from a rare book and manuscript dealer. The original sources of the other materials are unknown.

Processing Information

The papers have been rehoused in acid-free folders and box.

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Papers

Inventory