Biographical Sketch: Henry Harvey Stuart, son of John Palmer Stuart of Canning and Margaret Craig of Harvey, was born on August 9, 1873, near North Minto, New Brunswick. His mother died when Stuart was two years of age, and he was sent to board with a widow, Mrs. Lewis Allbright, in Newcastle Stream. During Stuart's eight year stay with Mrs. Allbright and her three children, he was exposed to many different forms of literature -- from the classical literature and various forms of history that his father brought him on his frequent visits, to the Bible, Gospel Temperance Magazines, and other such religious-oriented reading that was to be found at the Allbrights.

Although he passed his High School entrance in July, 1888, financial stringency meant that Stuart would never be able to attend high school. In the years that followed, he took jobs in numerous printing offices, until he was finally able to attend the Provincial Normal School in September, 1893. While attending Normal School, Stuart was editor of the school paper, the Normal Light. He earned his second class licence in 1894, followed by a first class licence in 1895, and a superior licence in 1896. Although he studied law in his spare time, and was fairly successful upon writing Law Examinations, this was not a path that he followed. Instead, he became a teacher -- a career choice made in 1894, which he pursued until his retirement in 1933.

In pursuit of higher income, Stuart moved from one school to another for most of his career. He was extremely vocal in his opinions about the education system, especially the role of the teacher, and above all, equal opportunity for all students. Stemming from these beliefs, he founded some of the earliest branches of Parent-Teachers Associations in the province. Perhaps most importantly, however, Stuart played an integral role in the organization of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, for whom he acted as secretary-treasurer from 1903-1908.

In 1900, H.H. Stuart became a licenced lay preacher of the Methodist church, and took on the responsibility of both teaching Sunday school and preaching for Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches. In 1925, he was also licenced by the United Church of Canada. In all of the communities in which he served, he attempted, usually successfully, to either start or re-kindle local temperance societies, and often served as their secretary.

From his social gospel background, Stuart emerged in the early eighteen-nineties to become a vocal political radical who combined devout religious beliefs with socialism in the advocacy of numerous social reforms. In 1902, Stuart organized the first socialist party in New Brunswick, the Fredericton Socialist League, with himself acting as president, and his friend, Martin Butler, as secretary.

Aside from his professional and political life, Stuart also placed great importance on his personal, family life. He married Bertha Alexander, and together they had a family of seven children: Eulah M., Edwin A., J. Walter, Eileen B., Henry W., Charles R. and Allan P.

Henry Harvey Stuart died on October 21, 1952, at his home in Fredericton Junction.

Scope and Content: This fonds documents Henry Harvey Stuart's lifelong involvement with education, socialism and religion. This is reflected in numerous sermons, editorials, speeches and articles written by Stuart, as well as items of interest which he collected, in the form of newspapers, magazines, and other such material. Similarly, his extensive correspondence traces his ideological leanings. Also included in the fonds are records from various organizations with which Stuart was involved, most notably temperance and social reform societies and the New Brunswick Teachers' Association. There is also a small collection of personal documentation, as well as genealogical material he collected on his extended family.

The fonds is divided into 8 series:

Series:
1. Manuscript Speeches and Sermons -- 1903 - 1949
2. Published Material -- 1885 - 1949; predominant 1895-1931
3.Genealogical and Personal Research Material -- various dates
4. Correspondence -- 1869 - 1955; predominant 1894 - 1952
5. Organizational Records -- 1823 - 1944; predominant 1914 - 1919
6. Scrapbooks -- 1879 - 1952
7. Specific Subject Files -- various dates
8. Newspapers and Magazines -- various dates

Notes:

Title: Title is based on contents of the fonds.

Immediate Source of Acquisition: The material in this fonds was deposited in the UNB Archives at different intervals. The first instalment, from the Stuart family, arrived in 1945. It consisted of 18 scrapbooks and two cartons of newspaper clippings relating mainly to the Maritimes. Between the years 1945 - 1985, Edwin A. Stuart and Eileen Cram, (née Eileen Stuart) intermittently deposited books and some manuscripts. In 1985, Mary L. Stuart, widow of Allan P. Stuart, deposited letterbooks and correspondence. After this date, Dr. James Chapman periodically deposited published material.

Physical Condition: Many items in this fonds are in poor condition. Pages are easily torn, and a few have started to tear and/or deteriorate. Portions of the fonds are in bound volumes. The binding of these documents is often weak, resulting in loose or detached pages.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction: The physical condition of the material in this fonds allows for limited and selective reproduction. Permission from archives staff is required on an item by item basis.

Accompanying Material: Also deposited with this fonds was a small group of books, which have been integrated into the Archives holdings. A listing of these books is available upon request.