Rufus W. Griswold Papers, 1834-1857 | Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

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Collection Overview

Title: Rufus W. Griswold Papers, 1834-1857

Collection Identifier: MS Gris.

Primary Creator: Griswold, Rufus, W., 1815-1857

Extent: 1285.0 Items

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1900

Subjects: American Literature — 19th Century — History and Criticism, Authors, American — 19th Century — Correspondence, Authors and publishers -- Correspondence, Carey, Alice, 1820-1871, Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881, Graham's Magazine, Griswold, Rufus, 1815-1897, Hoffman, Charles Fenno, 1806-1884, Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849., Poets, American — 19th Century — Correspondence, Poets and Poetry of America, Tucker, Beverley, 1784-1851, Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892

Languages: English

Abstract

This collection contains the letters of Rufus Griswold (1815-1857), editor of Graham’s Magazine and publisher of American literature and poetry in the mid 19^th century. The letters document his relationships – both professional and personal – with his contemporaries. Most notable is the correspondence between Griswold and Edgar Allan Poe.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains the near entirety of Rufus Griswold’s correspondence between the years 1834 and 1857. In particular, it reflects his business dealings as editor of Graham’s Magazine, and publisher of The Poets and Poetry of America. Correspondence is primarily letters to Griswold from poets, authors, and other editors regarding publications and reviews.

The majority of the letters are related to either Graham’s Magazine or The Poets of America and include requests for publication or critical review. While the correspondence is business in nature, the letters also discuss the personal lives of such people as Rufus Griswold, Edgar Allen Poe, Elizabeth Ellet, and Frances Sargent Osgood.

Griswold’s publication, The Poets and Poetry of America, was the first anthology of American poetry and was published in 1842. From this publication stemmed others that are mentioned in the letters, among them The Female Poets of America, Prose Writers of America, Poets and Poetry of England.

Many of the letters in the collection have been printed in Passages from the Correspondence and Other Papers of Rufus W. Griswold, published by W. M. Griswold at Cambridge in 1898, and The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, New York, 1902.

Subject/Index Terms

American Literature — 19th Century — History and Criticism
Authors, American — 19th Century — Correspondence
Authors and publishers -- Correspondence
Carey, Alice, 1820-1871
Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881
Graham's Magazine
Griswold, Rufus, 1815-1897
Hoffman, Charles Fenno, 1806-1884
Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849.
Poets, American — 19th Century — Correspondence
Poets and Poetry of America
Tucker, Beverley, 1784-1851
Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892

Administrative Information

Repository: Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions:

Items in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. The Boston Public Library does not hold copyright on the material in this collection. Researchers are responsible for identifying and contacting the persons or organizations that hold copyright.

When reproducing material from this collection please include the credit line "Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/ Rare Books."

Acquisition Method: Donated to the Boston Public Library by Mrs. Rufus Griswold in 1900.

Preferred Citation: Rufus W. Griswold Collection, MS Gris. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/Rare Books.

Processing Information: Finding aid prepared by Honor McCusker, c. 1963.

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated by Bethany Hirsch, November 2011.

Box and Folder Listing

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Box 3

Folder 140: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 July 1848: Mt. Healthy, O.H. Is glad to comply with Griswold's request for her and her sister [Phoebe's] poems for publication both by him [in The Female Poets of America] and in separate book form. Describes their simple education.
Folder 141: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 26 January 1849: Mt. Healthy, O.H. Gladly accepts his help in getting articles and poems published. Suggests arrangements for marketing Woodnotes [published as Poems, 1849].
Folder 142: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 25 March 1850: Mt. Healthy, O.H. An intensely personal letter, full of admiration and affection for Griswold: "I knew and repented having written in a manner which in woman is considered unallowable." Describes her own personality and appearance. Requests his daguerreotype. Thinks Moss and Bro. very unfair; [John Greenleaf] Whittier recommends Ticknor and Fields. Phoebe is much less serious than she.
Folder 143: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [1854-1855?]: N.p. Is working on her Mexican poem ["The Maiden of Tlascala"].
Folder 144: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 16 November [1865]: N.p. Asks advice (the third time) as to collecting money due from Mr. Lee. Written at the end of letter from H. Torrey to Alice Carey, 13 November 1855.
Folder 145: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [1855?]: N.p. Monday noon. Disapproves of Dr. [Gamaliel] Bailey's eulogy of Grace Greenwood in the [National] Era, when he pays herself so little. Does not want her "long poem" published in a magazine. Personal vexations.
Folder 146: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [1851-1852?]: N.p. Thursday morning. Has finished her [biographical] sketch of her grandfather.
Folder 147: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. Autograph draft, n.d.: New York. Dedication of Poems [Boston 1855]. Consists partly of printed clippings, pasted in.
Folder 148: Cary, Alice, 1820-1871. Mss. poems to Gamaliel Bailey, Jr., 27 August [1847-1852]: Cincinnati, O.H. "To xxxxxxx." The remaining pages contain poems by Phoebe Cary.
Folder 149: Cary, Alice, 18201-187. Ms. poem., n.d.: "Luther."
Folder 150: Cary, Alice. 1820-1871. Ms. poem., n.d.: "O stormy winds of winter time..."
Folder 151: Cary, Alice; Ms. poem., n.d.: "The Wood Lily."
Folder 152: Cary, Phoebe to R. W. Griswold, 23 December 1855: New York. News of various friends. Comments on the "very unfair manner" in which Griswold was treated in the Tribune.
Folder 153: Cary, Phoebe to ----, n.d.: N.p. Asks for the Art Journal or other pictures of costumes.
Folder 154: Cary, Phoebe, 1824-1871. Mss. poems to Gamaliel Bailey, Jr., [27 August 1847-1852]: See Folder 148
Folder 155: Cary, Phoebe, 1824-1871. Ms. poems, n.d.: "The Snow Storm."
Folder 156: Cary, Phoebe, 1824-1871. Ms. Poem, n.d.: N.p. "Supplication," by Elmina Waldo (Cary) Swift.
Folder 157: Chandler, Joseph Ripley, 1792-1880. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 10 May 1843: N.p. Sends a title and motto for a story [not named].
Folder 158: Chapman, John, 1821-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 6 January 1852: London. Has printed Griswold's article. Will accept another on American women if he can make it amusing.
Folder 159: Charles, J. O. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, n.d.: N.p. Encloses a "truthful outline" [subject unnamed].
Folder 160: Charlton, Robert M., 1807-1854. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 11 December 1841: Savannah, G.A. Autobiographical data.
Folder 161: Cheever, E[lizabeth Hoppin (Wetmore),d. 1886?] A.L.S. to ----, 20 November n.y.: N.p. An invitation to an evening party. Asks him to return her husband's poem.
Folder 162: Cheever, George Barrell, 1807-1820. A. L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 24 May 1842: New York. Sends some "puffs" of his work by Prof. Tappan. (fragment)
Folder 163: Cheever, George Barrell, 1807-1820. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 14 November 1842: New York. A letter of condolence [on death of Griswold's wife?]. Caroline (Searles) Griswold died in November 1842.
Folder 164: Chesebro, Caroline, 1825-1875. A.L.S. to Mary E. Hewitt, 5 June 1850: Canandaigua, N. Y. Offers her story, "The Phoebe Bird," for the Frances Osgood memorial volume [The Memorial]. The story appears in The Memorial, New York 1851, p. 217.
Folder 165: Child, Lydia Maria (Francis), 1802-1880. A.L.S. to [R. W. Griswold?], 1 May 1843: New York. Thanks him for a kind notice. Realizes her unpopularity, but "life it growing too earnest with me to admit of my writing 'pretty stories.'" The Letters [from New York] will be out in June.
Folder 166: Childs, George William, 1829-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 23 October 1856: Philadelphia, P.A. Asks him to keep back a review of Dr. [Elisha Kent] Kane's work [Arctic Explorations] until after election.
Folder 167: Childs, George William, 1829-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 22 November 1856: Philadelphia, P.A. Gives details of payments to Dr. [Elisha Kent] Kane, Allibone, and others. Asks for Griswold's literary influence in favor of Dr. Kane; desires to publish for Mr. [Frank?] Moore.
Folder 168: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 27 August 1840: New York. Promises to support Poe's Penn Magazine. Advises him not to "lay aside the pruning knife for the tomahawk" in criticism. Expatiates on the spiritual delights on a literary career. Comments favorably on the Dial: "The Boston papers have attmepted to criticize it; but they have failed entirely.
Folder 169: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 12 July 1842: New York. Expresses pleasure at Poe's apology for "the autograph article." Considers poetry the perfection of literature. Will try to obtain subscribers for the Penn Magazine. Hopes soon to submit to him his poem, "The Mighty Dead."
Folder 170: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 26 September 1842: New York. Inquires whether Poe received his poem, "The Mighty Dead."
Folder 171: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 15 May 1844: Oaky Grove, G.A. Complains that Poe has neglected his letters. Suggests a partnership in the Penn Magazine. Poe's criticism of [Richard Henry Horne's] Orion pleased him very much; considers his definition of poetry superior to Bacon's. Discourses on the relation of past to present.
Folder 172: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 6 August 1844: Oaky Grove, G.A. Asks for a copy of Poe's article "Mesmeric Revelation." Discusses the development of mankind and human knowledge. Answers several arguments of Poe's about the nature of the spirit.
Folder 173: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 24 September 1844: Oaky Grove, G.A. Analyzes the two-fold nature of man, and the power of knowledge in showing man how to live and die. The physical and intellectual natures are perfected in Christianity. Asks for several books and periodicals by O[restes] A[ugustus] Brownson.
Folder 174: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 9 September 1845: Oaky Grove, G.A. Promises to send Poe money. Asks Poe to do some business for him at the Commercial Bank of Florida. Describes the reception of the writer's poems in Georgia. Tennyson "is a lofty imitator of Shelley, without a tithe of his force." Praises Poe's recent temperance.
Folder 175: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 30 October 1845: Oaky Grove, G. A. Reproaches Poe for neglecting him. Defends his accentuation of a word in his "Wife's Lament." Amends a line in "The Dying Swan." Praises Tennyson's technique and [Richard Henry] Horne's Orion.
Folder 176: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 21 February 1847: Washington, G.A. Suggests that Poe come to the South to live. Asks him to forward a tale, "The Return from the Dead," to Frederick W. Bartlett of Atlanta, G.A.
Folder 177: Chivers, Thomas Holley, 1809-1858. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 4 April 1847: Washington, G.A. Recommends Dr. [William Henry] Fouerden of the Atlanta Enterprise to Poe. Is using his newly-invented mill for spinning silk. Asks Poe's opinion on his poem, "Agnus." and the accent of some classical names.
Folder 178: Chivers, Thomas Holley to R. W. Griswold, 20 September 1850: New York. Asks Griswold to return all his letters to Poe.
Folder 179: Chivers, Thomas Holley to R. W. Griswold, 28 March 1851: 116 Leonard St. Reiterates his accusation that Poe hod "stolen" the "Raven" from "To Allegra Florence in Heaven."
Folder 180: Chivers, Thomas Holley; typed copy of letter to Dodge's Literary Museum, 19 August 1854: N.p. Refutes a letter by Mrs. Jane E[rmina] Locke in the Waverley Magazine which defended Poe against the charge of plagiarizing from Chivers, on the ground of her "personal acquaintance."
Folder 181: Chivers, Thomas Holley; Printed clipping from Atlanta Constitution, 14 March 1897: Article by John Quincy Adams, describing Chivers correspondence in the writer's possession, with a biographical sketch. On the second mount is a clipping (incomplete) by Warfield Creath Richardson on the Poe-Chivers controversy, from the Boston Transcipt, 24 April 1897.
Folder 182: Clark, Lewis Gaylord, 1810-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [1842-1842?]: N.p. Sunday evening. sends a memoir of and poems by his dead brother Willis [Gaylord Clark, for the Poets of America?].
Folder 183: Clark, Lewis Gaylord, 1810-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 25 June 1855: Knickerbocker Sanctum. Encloses a letter from [Frederick Swartwout] Cozzens, and commends his talents warmly.
Folder 184: Clark, Lewis Gaylord, 1810-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [1855?]: N.p. Outlines acknowledgements of assistance to be printed in a forthcoming book.
Folder 185: Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 8 June 1855: Boston, M.A. Encloses an autobiographical sketch. Disclaims a poem, "The Poet," attributed to him in The Poets of America, but written by Mrs. Hooper of Boston.
Folder 186: Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, n.d.: N.p. Encloses a letter from the Reverend Eph[raim] Peabody. Mrs. Hooper's family objects to the publication of her poems.
Folder 187: Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888. Ms. poem, n.d.: "A Thanksgiving."
Folder 188: Clarke, James Freeman; Ms. poem, n.d.: "Triformis Diana." The poem is printed in The Poets of America.
Folder 189: Clarke, John Badger, 1820-1891. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 18 May 1846: New Brighton, P.A. Introduces his sister, Sarah Jane Clarke ["Grace Greenwood"].
Folder 190: Clarke, John Badger, 1820-1891. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 16 March 1849: Wheeling, V.A. Describes his paper, the Wheeling Gazette. Asks for contributions from Griswold. Promises some articles, but has been hindered by family illness.
Folder 191: Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 28 July 1838: Ashland, K.Y. Does not think it necessary to restate his opinions on slavery for the information of the Whig Convention in Vermont.
Folder 192: Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. A.L.S. to Horace Greeley, 21 September 1848: Ashland, K.Y. Explains why he consented to appear in Philadelphia as a candidate for the presidential nomination, but now wishes to withdraw. Declares his opposition to Zachary Taylor.
Folder 193: Clemm, Maria (Poe), 1790-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 4 September 1849: New York. Urges the publication of a manuscript of Poe's exactly as written. Promises in return to use her influence with Poe for favorable reviews of Griswold's books.
Folder 194: Clemm, Maria (Poe), 1790-1871. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 April 1850: Lowell. Asks if Dr. [J.J.?] Moran is right in stating that Poe's trunk was sent to Griswold for Miss Poe. Also asks for the manuscript of "The Literary of New York" ["The Literati?]. The actual history of the trunk appears in Mary Newton Stanard, Edgar Allan Poe Letters... in the Valentine Museum, Philadelphia 1925, p. 170.
Folder 195: Coe, Richard, b. 1821. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 28 February 1855: N. p. Autobiographical data. Sends a copy of The Old Farm Gate, containing some of his poems.
Folder 196: Coggeshall, William Turner, 1824-1867. A.L.S. to [Alice] Cary, [After 1854?]: Cincinnati, O.H. Offers reviews and influence to alleviate her recent [finanical?] loss.
Folder 197: Colton, Calvin, 1789-1857. Ms., [1845?]: Biographical data.
Folder 198: Colton, George Hooker, 1818-1847. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 22 August 1844: New York. Sends autobiographical data and extracts from his works. Discusses his forthcoming [American Whig] Review. Is dropping the idea of a "Literary Bulletin" but is considering an advertising sheet. Asks for interesting data about [Thomas] Campbell.
Folder 199: Colton, Walter, 1797-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 2 April 1850: Philadelphia, P.A. Asks Griswold to review his Deck and Port. Approves of Griswold's criticism of Poe, though it is "terrific."
Folder 200: Conrad, Robert Taylor, 1810-1858. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 April 1854: Elm Grove, near Wheeling, V.A. Promises biographical data and selections for The Poets of America.
Folder 201: Conrad, Robert Taylor, 1810-1858. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 December 1854: Philadelphia, P.A. Apologizes for not having sent his earlier letter [of 29 April?].
Folder 202: Conrad, Robert Taylor, 1810-1858. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 4 August 1855: Philadelphia, P.A. Promises to send a back number of Graham's Magazine. Regrets that he cannot offer him hospitality. Encloses some notes written when he "feared that Poe's sketch was not attainable."
Folder 203: Cook, Clarence Chatham, 1828-1900. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 March 1852: N.p. Asks for the return of his poem, "The Soul's Bitter Question."
Folder 204: Cook, Eliza, 1818-1889. A.L.S. to Frances Sargent (Locke), 25 February 1844: Greenhithe, Kent, Eng. Asks for family news, and regrets that she cannot visit America. Her works have sold well; but Bogue, her publisher has acted unfairly in regard to the American edition. Would Mr. Osgood make inquiries of the Langleys? Colburn will publish her next work. Writes of several friends. An "old recollection" keeps her from making a prudent marriage. Thinks Dickens's American Notes very inferior, but his [Christmas] Carol is a "rare bit." Asks Mrs. Osgood to "blow up" [George Pope?] Morris for not answering her letter.
Folder 205: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 February 1851: Richmond, V.A. Asks for Griswold's advice as to publishing The Chevalier Merlin, by his brother [Philip Pendleton Cooke]. The Chevalier Merlin appeared in the Southern Literary Messenger, June 1849-January 1850. It was broken off by Cooke's death.
Folder 206: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 24 April 1851: Richmond, V.A. Requests Griswold to bring his sequel to [Alexandre] Dumas's [La Bâtard de] Mauléon to the attention of Stringer & Townsend. Must publish anonymously, if he is to gain a reputation for business talent.
Folder 207: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 6 June 1851: Richmond, V.A. Biographical data on Philip Pendleton Cooke, with a discussion of his literary work.
Folder 208: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 24 February 1853: Richmond, V.A. Wishes Griswold succes with Barnum's Illustrated News. Inquires about his Evan of Foix, which Griswoldwas trying to market.
Folder 209: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 8 May 1853: Richmond, V.A. Sends his collected sketches under the title Recollections of Sunnyslope. Encloses a memorandum for Redfield [and Co.], who he hopes will publish the book.
Folder 210: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. Autograph ms. Memorandum for Messrs. Redfield & Co., [8] May 1853: Richmond, V.A. Submits Recollections of Sunnyslope for publication, and suggests terms.
Folder 211: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 July 1853: Richmond, V.A. Asks for Griswold's influence on behalf of his book [unnamed], now at Redfield's.
Folder 212: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to Justus Starr Redfield, 22 August 1853: Berkeley Springs, V.A. Offers his Recollections of Sunnyslope for publication, having heard that Griswold, to whom he entrusted the manuscript, is dangerously ill. Leaves the terms to Redfield.
Folder 213: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 9 November 1853: Richmond, V.A. Congratulates Griswold on his recovery from illness. Asks him to give the manuscript of Recollections of Sunnyside to Mr. [Justus Starr] Redfield. Harper will soon issue his story [Leather Stocking and Silk, New York 1854?].
Folder 214: Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886. A.L.S. to Justus Starr Redfield, 17 December 1853: Richmond, V.A. Asks him to obtain the manuscript of Recollections of Sunnyslope from Griswold.