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 Oh