1920-1928 Diaries of Boston University Superintendent, Describing the University’s Massive Expansion as His Work Intertwines with His Personal Life in Melrose, Massachusetts

On offer is a fine collection of seven diaries of a superintendent at Boston University, an American university listed today as one of 53 "international powerhouse" institutions.

Albert E. Kingsley Jr. was Buildings Superintendent at Boston University (BU) when it began its drive to create a major new campus centered along the Charles River. Lemuel Herbert Murlin, BU’s president, dreamt of a University in the heart of the city. In 1920, BU purchased a large tract of land between the Charles River and Commonwealth Avenue, hoping to unite on a permanent campus the colleges and schools scattered throughout Boston. 

Kingsley weaves his observations and experiences as a key player on the Boston University team during the expansion in with his musings about the larger world around him and his home life, particularly focused on his wife, Daisy, who mattered to him above all else. Kingsley writes copious notes of land, buildings and acreage purchased by Boston University at that time. 

Some excerpts from Kingsley’s diary give the reader a sense of how his writing follows the University’s process as it expanded: 

“The soft coal at 70 St. Butolph St. caught fire, spontaneous combustion and did about $200 worth of damage”. [Jan 10, 1920]

“A fire caused by a fire place on 2nd floor over Dr. Murlin's (our President B.U.) apartments. Caused $2,000 worth of damage at 5 A.M”  [Jan 19, 1920].

Kingsley notes the day BU made its large land purchase to begin its near decade-long expansion:

“The B.U. has bought 600,000 sq ft of land along the Charles River. Boston side about 15 acres” [Mar 8, 1920]

“Mr. [ ] spoke to me about the new property they had bought on Bay State Road on Charles River. 10 apartment houses & hotels 15 acres of land” [Mar 29, 1920].

When not at work, Kingsley commented on other aspects of his personal life and the world around him. He keeps chickens and sells the eggs, meticulously noting how much was received from each sale. He notes the death of the Irish nationalist Terence McSwiney – who was considered an inspiration for Ho Chi Minh. Some excerpts follow: 

“McSwiney Irish hunger striker died today starved himself Bad time in Ireland" [Oct 25, 1920].

“The Federal officers raided the Turners our next door neighbors found a still. We did not think they had one. But they are good neighbors just the same…” [Sept 7, 1923].

“Registration Day at C.L.A and C.S.S. ... I took $15,000 to bank at 4:00PM that I had put into $1,000 packages and banded $5,000 more before 5:00 PM Big Day” [Sept 19, 1923].

The other diaries in the collection carry on in this vein One constant thread in his diaries is the illness of his wife, Daisy. In January 1927, her long suffering came to an end:

“...DAISY DIED 4:10 PM Daisy passed away quietly at 4:10 PM Was conscious to the last and ready to go. Had suffered a long time…” [Jan 11, 1927].

Several days later he writes the most moving entry:

“... DAISY LAID AT REST: No more pain I trust. A good wife. Why could she not have been spared a little longer”  [Jan 14, 1927].

The collection paints an excellent picture of life in Boston in the early years of the 20th century. From the grand plans of a growing university to the concerns and events of daily life, it is a valuable look at life in Boston at this time. His entries are clear and easy to read and are written in a way that breathes life into the pages. It would certainly be of value to local historians as well as genealogists, as Kingsley makes many references to friends and acquaintances who live in Boston

BIO NOTES: Albert Ernest Kingsley Jr. was born to Albert Ernest Kingsley and Drucilla W. Spates Kingsley in September 1860 in Lewiston, Maine. His father, Albert Sr., was enlisted in Company K, Maine 1st Infantry and fought in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He was promoted to Captain in 1864. Albert E. Kingsley Jr. married C. Daisy Barrett in 1890. They lived in Melrose, Massachusetts in the Greater Boston Are. Albert worked as Superintendent for the buildings at Boston University. He is listed as an Officer of the Boston University Masonic Lodge at its Constitution in 1926. Sadly, Kingsley Jr.’s wife Daisy died in Melrose in January of 1927. Albert E. Kingsley Jr. died in Melrose on October 6, 1931 at the age of 71. 

This collection contains seven diaries, each containing 365 pages and each is 100% complete. The diaries cover the years: 1920, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928. The 1920 diary measures 5.75” x 4.75” and all of the other diaries measure 6.75” x 4.0”. The cover, bindings and pages of all seven diaries are in Good condition.