University of Michigan student philosophy notebook, ca. 1872

Half leather with marbled boards, 4to, 382pp. In Fair condition: front board and first gathering detached, spine largely perished. First leaf signed, John J. Stoddart, Class ’75, U. of M. Manuscript notes occupying versos-only up to page 264—a hearty supply of notes in various penmanship styles with accents and attributions in mauve ink. Several attractive charts and diagrams; mentions of psychology, phrenology, neuroscience, and even clairvoyance, amidst the hot topics of ethics and metaphysics. John J. Stoddart (1850-1922) graduated in 1875 and the notebook is presumed to have been from early in his course of study, ca. 1872. After graduation, he briefly served as a high school teacher in Columbus before getting admitted to the bar in 1877, declining an offer to become school principal. Born in Canada, he immigrated with his mother and step-father to Ohio and left home at 15. He was politically active and served on city committees, but never ran for office (1922 Proceedings of the Ohio State Bar Examination, 159-161).