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James Russell Lowell papers

 Collection
Identifier: A.L913

Biographical/Historical note

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) was an author, educator, and diplomat.

Scope and Contents

The Collection consists of letters written by Lowell and a bound volume entitled The Day of Small Things. The volume contains two of Lowell's poems written in his hand: The Day of Small Things (later published under the title "To William Lloyd Garrison"), and possibly the first and only draft of "Letter from Boston" which describes the Boston Anti-Slavery Bazaar held in December of 1846. Bound with the poems are portraits and manuscript letters of the abolitionists Lowell wrote about in "Letter from Boston": William Lloyd Garrison,, Marie Weston Chapman, Eliza Lee Follen, Edmund Quincy, Wendell Phillips, Parker Pillsbury, Stephen S. Foster, and Abigail Kelley Foster. Also bound in the volume are one letter from Lowell to William Lloyd Garrison and two letters to Frances Jackson Garrison.

Other Lowell letters in the Collection are written to Henry Mills Alden, James Ripley Osgood, Mrs. Phoebe (Garnaut) Smalley, Theodore Tilton, and Henry Warren Torrey. There is also one letter written by Charles Lowell, James Russell Lowell's father, and the commencement program from Harvard University for 1838, which lists Lowell's name amongst the graduates.

All letters have been indexed.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1838-1902

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The James Russell Lowell papers are open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The bound volume, Day of Small Things, and the Harvard commencement program were the gift of Edward G. Miner. The Lowell letters to Henry Warren Torrey were the gift of Robert F. Metzdorf, 3/16/68; the Lowell letter to Henry Mills Alden was purchased from Mary Benjamin, 7/2/71; the Lowell letter to Mr. Bowker was purchased from Winifred Myers, 12/27/49; the source of the other letters is unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], James Russell Lowell Papers, A.L913, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Related Materials

Books in Rare Book Collection with Lowell autograph: 1. Lowell., James Russell. Among my books. Boston, Fields., Osgood, and Co., 1870. "M.B. Anderson. Jan. 9,/89." written in Anderson's hand below. 2. Lowell., James Russell. Class poem. Cambridge: Mass., Cambridge Press: Metcalfe, Torry, and Balloul 1838. "Professor Pierce with the respects of the author" written in Lowell's hand on the cover. 3. Lowell., James Russell. The poetical works. Boston., Ticknor and Fields., 1858. "J.R. Lowell. Cambridge, 13th Nov. 1863. Written as an autograph for Miss Gertrude Colton" written in Lowell's hand on fly-leaf. 4. More., Henry. Philosophical poems. Cambridge, Printed by Roger Daniel, printer to the University, 1647. "J.R. Lowell. Jany. 1842" Written in Lowell's hand on inside front cover.

Title
James Russell Lowell papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
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