James Llewellyn Spriggs earned a BS in Agriculture at Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) in 1920. Spriggs enrolled at OAC in September 1915 and attended during the 1915/1916 through 1917/1918 academic years. He withdrew in fall 1918, probably for military service, but returned in fall 1919 and completed his degree in June 1920. After graduation, Spriggs taught agriculture in Willits and Fort Jones, California.
James Llewellyn Spriggs (known as "Lee" in his family) was born on December 16, 1895 in Ewing, Illinois. He graduated from Washington High School in Portland, Oregon. He returned to the Oregon State campus in summer 1939 and summer 1949 to take classes in organic chemistry, wood turning, sheet metal working, and forging/welding.
The J. Llewellyn Spriggs Photograph Album was assembled by Spriggs during his student years at Oregon Agricultural College. The album includes professional photographic prints, photographic postcards, and snapshots. The album primarily reflects Spriggs' social activities with fellow students and participation in track and field. Other athletic teams and contests are also depicted, such as football, basketball, and wrestling. Several images of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity members and the fraternity's house (both exterior and interior) as well as its predecessor organization, the Oxford Club, are included in the album.
Of special note are several snapshots of construction of the homecoming bonfire as well as images of the freshman-sophomore bag rush; military cadet inspection day, including a parade with a tank and other armaments; the 1920 Military Ball; and a student sitting in Ida Kidder's "wicker-mobile". Snapshots of student outings and picnics and snowfall on campus are included. Several images of Spriggs (individual portrait photographs and in group photographs) are part of the album; other students are also identified by name. In addition to photographs, this album contains a few dance cards, event programs, ribbons, and an invitation to the 1920 commencement ceremony.
Collection is open for research.
J. Llewellyn Spriggs Photograph Album (P 285), Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The photograph album was donated to the Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2012 by Spriggs' great-niece.
The Special Collections & Archives Research Center's collections include many student scrapbooks and photograph albums documenting student life during the 1910s. Of particular note are the