ROBERT FROST '96,

ROBERT FROST '96, who holds a very special place in Dartmouth's affection, returned to the College on April 19 for the dedication of the Robert Frost Room in Baker Library. Mr. Frost added to the occasion by presenting to Dartmouth the manuscript of his most recent book, In the Clearing.

The gift consisted of the poems in Mr. Frost's handwriting, some rough drafts, the corrected typescript, and the galley and page proofs. As he turned over a slipcase to Librarian Richard W. Morin '24, Mr. Frost, with characteristic simplicity and honesty, told the audience, "This is just a symbol. There's not really anything inside."

The Robert Frost Room, which can be reached by a stairway just off the Treasure Room, will house Dartmouth's extensive collection of Frost books, manuscripts, and letters, together with material relating to his long association with the College, beginning with his freshman days in 1892. "I've had a lot to do with colleges all my life," Mr. Frost said, "but this is my college, you might say, because it was the first one I ran away from."

A keepsake prepared by Associate Librarian Edward C. Lathem '51 and published for the dedication, contained extracts from Frost's recorded recollections of his Dartmouth student days, first printed in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, and a reduced reproduction of The Independent of November 17, 1892, in which Frost while browsing in the old college library saw a long poem by Richard Hovey '85 and got the idea of submitting, somewhat later, his first poem for publication.

A special Frost exhibition in Baker Library's main display cases was arranged for the dedication. During his two-day visit Mr. Frost spoke to the freshman class in 105 Dartmouth Hall, not far from where he roomed as a freshman seventy years ago.

Associate Librarian Edward C. Lathem '51 shows Robert Frost '96 the keepsakespecially printed for the dedication of the Robert Frost Room in Baker Library.