Scope and Content Note
The papers of Lyman Potter Spencer (1840-1915) span the years 1848 to 1914 with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1863-1896. The collection deals mainly with Spencer's military career as a member of the Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer heavy artillery, and with his efforts to continue the work begun by his father, Platt R. Spencer, on the Spencerian style of handwriting.
The Diaries, Notebooks, and Account Books series spans the years 1854 to 1914 and provides information on Spencer's personal and business life. The Correspondence series includes letters from Hamilton Fish and James A. Garfield, who was an instructor at Hiram College when Spencer was a student. The Genealogical File includes notebooks and other material relating to the Spencer family. The Spencerian Penmanship File chronicles Spencer's development as an artist and calligrapher. Material in this file prior to 1864 relates to Platt R. Spencer.