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Rogers, Emma Savage, 1824-1911

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1824 March 4 - 1911 May 18
  • Usage: 1849 - 1911
  • Usage: 1824 - 1849

Biography

Emma Savage Rogers (1824 - 1911) was born in Boston, MA to wealthy banker, and genealogist, James Savage and Elizabeth Stillman. Savage Rogers is widely known for her marriage to William Barton Rogers, founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As the "first lady" of the Institute she often acted as an intermediary between MIT faculty and other relevant colleagues, also serving as an advisor to four MIT President's subsequent to the death of her husband [1]. Additionally, as part of her institutional duties, Savage Rogers would host social gatherings at her home in a specific effort to promote the community of women associated with MIT, effectively acting as a precursor to the MIT Women's League [3].

Published in 1896, Savage Rogers also notably compiled and edited the Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, two collected volumes detailing the late founder's life through his curated correspondences. Similarly, she would go on to edit her father's life paper as well, Letters of James Savage to his Family, published in 1906 [2].

Emma Savage Rogers died on May 18th, 1911 in Boston, MA. Upon her death, much of her estate was left to MIT. In 1990, the Emma Rogers society was founded by and for surviving spouses of alumni and faculty of the Institute. The society's purpose is to be of service to its more than 5,000 members nationwide, keeping them connected to the Institute.

1. Nancye Mims, "A Lifelong Link: Emma Rogers Society Keeps Surviving MIT Spouses Connected" MIT Technology Review (October 2015) 2. "Emma Rogers" University of Virginia, John L. Nau Center for Civil War History (September 2021) 3. "Our History" MIT Women's League

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

William Barton Rogers papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC-0001
Abstract This collection contains the personal correspondence of William Barton Rogers, the founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Family and professional correspondence, notes, articles, lectures, clippings, and drafts of articles on scientific topics, documents relating his philosophy on science and technology education, and many antecedent documents relating to the establishment and early years of MIT are included. An important part of the collection is drafts of...
Dates: 1804 - 1950; Majority of material found within 1834 - 1882
Found in: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Libraries. Department of Distinctive Collections

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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