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Edith Willis Linn Forbes papers addition

 Collection
Identifier: D.401

Biographical/Historical note

Edith (Willis) Linn Forbes (1865-1945) was born in New York City. Her father, Frederick L.H. Willis, was raised in the same household as Louisa May Alcott and her sisters. According to Alcott Memoirs (1915), compiled from Dr. Willis's biographical writings, he provided the inspiration for the character Laurie in Little Women. Frederick Willis entered Harvard College Divinity School but was suspended in 1857 for his involvement with the Spiritualists. Dr. Wilis served as a Spriritualist minister before moving to Rochester to work as a physician, although he still continued with Spiritualist activities. Edith later described him as a Unitarian clergyman.

Love M. Whitcomb Willis, Edith's mother, came from a long line of Unitarian pastors. In addition to her accomplishments as a writer, artist, and musician, she edited Tiffany's Monthly Magazine and wrote for The Banner of Light, a "journal of Romance, Literature, and general intelligence." Love Willis also composed many songs and hymns and participated in the Rochester Art Club, where her works were often displayed.

Throughout Edith's lifetime, the family owned a summer home, Eden Glen, located at Seneca Lake in Glenora, New York. Included in Edith's papers is a manuscript for a long poem entitled, "To Seneca Lake," as well as many family photographs taken there.

Edith and Samuel Linn had two sons, Willis Linn, a future doctor, and Benjamin F. Linn. Edith's second husband was George Mather Forbes (1853-1934), a humanities professor (Greek, German, Ethics, and Philosophy) at the University of Rochester and member of the Class of 1875. She founded the Rochester Poetry Society in 1920 and was also active in the Women's Education and Industrial Union, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Door of Hope.

Edith Linn Forbes was buried with her parents, first husband, and brother-in-law in Mount Hope Cemetery. A biographical report on their headstones was compiled in 2004 by undergraduate Robyn Drucker for the UR Religion and Classics course, "Speaking Stones."

Related Archival Materials

Title
Edith Willis Linn Forbes papers addition
Author
Eileen Fay
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA