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 9

Folder 575: Hooker, Herman, 1804-1865. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, [October - December 1854]: N.p. Asks Griswold's support for his edition of [Horace Binney] Wallace's art noted [Art, Scenery, and Philosophy in Europe, Philadelphia 1854].
Folder 576: Hooker, Herman, 1804-1865. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 6 January 1855: Philadelphia, P.A. Complains that the press has neglected a book [Art, Scenery, and Philosophy in Europe] by Horace Binney Wallace. Asks Griswold to exert his influence.
Folder 577: Hooker, Herman, 1804-1865. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 21 February 1856: N.p. Praises Griswold's destructive review of [Evert Augustus] Duyckinck's Cyclopedia [of American Literature, New York 1855] in the [New York] Herald. Is "sorry for the everlasting trouble you have from the malice of enemies."
Folder 578: Hopkins, Johns Henry, Jr., 1820-1891. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 15 May 1848: General Theological Seminary. Protests against the pantheism expressed in Poe's Eureka [New York 1848].
Folder 579: Hopkins, Samuel, 1807-1887. A.L.S. to Mary Ann Dwight, 20 March 1854: Northampton. Sends a manuscript [not named] for publication in whatever periodical she can arrange.
Folder 580: Hopkinson, Joseph, 1770-1842. A.L.S. to T. W. White, 11 September 1836: Philadelphia, P.A. Thanks him for copies of the Southern Literary Messenger containing his article "The Right of Instruction" and a reply to it. Will not defend his opinion further. Suggest that Poe combine original contributions, which are hard to get without pay, with selections from foreign publications.
Folder 581: Hopkinson, Joseph, 1770-1842. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 25 January 1841: Philadelphia, P.A. Encourages the Penn Magazine. Warns Poe against distant subscribers, who never send their money.
Folder 582: Horne, Richard Henry (Hengist), 1803-1884. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 16 April 1844: London, Eng. Regrets his temporary loss of influence in the literary world. Can arrange for the insertion of Poe's article ["The Spectacles?"] in Jerrolds Illustrated Magazine, but fears the magazine is not doing well.
Folder 583: Horne, Richard Henry (Hengist), , 1770-1842. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 27 April 1844: London, Eng. Discusses in detail Poe's review of his Orion, [London 1843]. Suggests an American edition of Orion, and offers to send Poe his works.
Folder 584: Horne, Richard Henry (Hengist), 1770-1842. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 17 May 1845: London, Eng. Encloses Miss [Elizabeth] Barrett's reply to Poe's criticism of her poems. She thinks there is a "fine lyrical melody" in "The Raven." Has not heard from Tennyson. Sends copies of his Orion [London 1843], Gregory VII [London 1840], and introduction to the second edition of A New Spirit of the Age [London 1844].
Folder 585: Hosmer, William Henry Cuyler, 1814-1877. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 18 October 1843: Avon, N.Y. Encloses some poems, including lines to his little daughter, for Graham's Magazine. Has been offeres $500 for the copyright of Yonnondio; asks Carey & Lea's terms for printing 3000 copies.
Folder 586: Howard, John R. A.L.S. to [R. W. Griswold?], 30 May 1853: Memphis, T.N. Suggests collected editions of [Robert Stevenson] Coffin, the "Boston Bard," and [John Lofland] the "Milford Bard."
Folder 587: Howe, Julia (Ward), 1819-1910. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 July n.y.: South Boston, M.A. Permits the inclusion of selections from Passion Flowers [Boston 1854], but not her portrait, in The Female Poets of America.
Folder 588: Howe, Julia (Ward), 1819-1910. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 17 July n.y.: Newport, R.I. Cannot furnish a portrait for The Female Poets of America. Refers Griswold to [James Thomas] Fields for a choice of poems.
Folder 589: Howe, Julia (Ward), 1819-1910. Ms. poem, n.d.: "To a Beautiful Statue."
Folder 590: Howe, Julia (Ward), 1819-1910. Ms. poem, n.d.: "Wordsworth."
Folder 591: Hubbard, Th. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 August 1843: Norwich. Prefers to use his former pseudonym, "Augustus Snodgrass."
Folder 592: Huntington, William Henry, 1820-1885. A.L.S. to ----, 10 March n.y.: Norwich. Is sending some information about [Donald Grant] Mitchell.
Folder 593: Huntington, William Henry, 1820-1885.; Ms., n.d.: N.p. Biographical data on Donald Grant Mitchell.
Folder 594: Huston, A. F.; Ms. poem, n.d.: "The Lead of the Wave."
Folder 595: Huston, A. F.; Ms. poem, n.d.: "Little Children."
Folder 596: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 October 1843: South Attleborough, M.A. Gives extracts from the writer's poems. Asks for Poe's friendship.
Folder 597: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 2 November 1843: South Attleborough, M.A. Discusses the state of American literature; offers to help in the "overthrow of Humbug." Mentions his poverty.
Folder 598: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 23 March [1844]: South Attleborough, M.A. Asks Poe to recommend reading, and asks advice about how and where to publish his poems.
Folder 599: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 16 February 1845: South Attleborough, M.A. Thanks Poe for a criticism of the writer's poem "Bunker's Hill." Mentions the Broadway Journal. Praises Poe's "Haunted Palace."
Folder 600: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 June 1845: South Attleborough, M.A. Encloses a poem for the Broadway Journal. Asks Poe's opinion of [James Henry] Leigh Hunt's anthology Imagination and Fancy.
Folder 601: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 20 June 1845: South Attleborough, M.A. Describes the writer's life and writing. Sends a poem. Asks Griswold's advice about what to read, and how to publish his work.
Folder 602: Ide, Abijah M., Jr., c.1825-1873. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 26 February 1846: South Attleborough, M.A. Inquires about some numbers of the Broadway Journal, ordered but not received.
Folder 603: Ingraham, Joseph Holt, 1809-1860. A.L.S. to George Rex Graham, 25 July 1841: New York. Inquires about three tales he has sent.
Folder 604: Ingraham, Joseph Holt, 1809-1860. A.L.S. to ----, 3 April 1855: Mobile, A.L. Explains the writer's disagreement with Mr. Milwood. Mentions a review of one of his books [title indecipherable] in the Ch[urchman's?] Monthly.
Folder 605: Ingraham, Joseph Holt, 1809-1860. A.L.S. to Dr. Herman Hooker, 13 April 1855: Mobile, A.L. Has sent payment of balance due. Asks Hooker to publish his "Adina" [The Prince of the House of the David, published by Pudney and Russell, New York 1855].
Folder 606: Ingraham, Cooke and Co. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 15 April 1853: London, Eng. Assures Griswold of the firm's continued interest in publishing his volume of American poetry. Expresses regret for his legal entanglements.
Folder 607: Irving, H. I. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 27 October 1851: London. Sends a copy of the new American Magazine.
Folder 608: J. D. H.; Ms. poem, November 1851: New York. "Stanzas." ("In sad procession pass my days,...")
Folder 609: Jacobs, Sarah Sprague, b. 1813; Mss. poems, n.d.: "I mourn that this wold changes not...," "Ubi Amor, ibi Fides," "A Lamentation," "A Vesper," "listen, what sounds are these...," "Girl-Deams," "A fountain in a crowded street...," "Benedetta" (printed clipping: "From the Cambridge Chronicle").
Folder 610: Janeway, Jacob Jones, 1774-1858. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 7 December 1854: New Brunswick. Corrects a mistake concerning the writer's family in Griswold's Republican Court.
Folder 611: [Janvier, Francis de Haes, 1817-1885] A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 5 June 1849: U.S.S. Mississippi, Norfolk, V.A. Thanks Griswold for his attention to the writer's poem, to be published in the Union Magazine.
Folder 612: Jay, John, 1817-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 December 1841: New York. Encloses two poems of [Arthur Cleveland] Coxe, "An Ode from Sophocles" and "An Extract from an Unpublished Canto of St. Jonathan." Discusses publication of some of Coxe's minor pieces in The Southern Literary Messenger, and asks an opportunity to revise his sketch of Coxe's life.
Folder 613: Jay, John, 1817-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 15 June 1854: [20 Nassau St.?] Information concerning picture of Mrs. [Sarah Van Brugh (Livingston)] Jay for The Republican Court.
Folder 614: Jay, John, 1817-1894. A.L.S. to [R. W. Griswold], 13 January 1855: [20 Nassau St.?] Information concerning papers which may be useful to Griswold.
Folder 615: Jay, John, 1817-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 25 July n.y.: N.p. Encloses a rough draft about Mrs. [Sarah Van Brugh (Livingston)] Jay.
Folder 616: Johnson, Oliver, 1809-1869. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 15 December 1843: Boston, M.A. Asks for information on the art of printing.
Folder 617: Johnson, P. S. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 17 October 1842: Wilmington. Writes on behalf of Mrs. [Georgiana (McCausland)] Pinkney, regarding the publication of poems by her late husband [Edward Coote Pinkney].
Folder 618: Jones, T. N., A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 7 March 1855: North Reading, M.A. Finds that R[ichard] H[enry] Stoddard has imitated a poem of the writer's in his "The Two Brides."
Folder 619: Jones, William Alfred, 1817-1900. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 July n.y.: N.p. Agrees to furnish two or three articles for Graham's despite the low rate of pay.
Folder 620: Judson, Emily (Chubbuck), 1817-1854. A.L.S. to Edward Bright, 24 December 1850: Maulmain. Prefers Dr. Williams to Prof. [William] Gammel as biographer for her husband [Adoniram Judson]. Describes available material about him.
Folder 621: Kane, Thomas Leiper, 1822-1883. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 22 December 1852: Philadelphia, P.A. Sends some biographical material on Dr. [Elisha Kent] Kane, with pictures of Philippine scenes.
Folder 622: Keese, John, 1805-1856. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 19 June 1841: New York. Gives biographical data on [Charles Fenno] Hoffman, and says Hoffman wishes Griswold's note on him to be "the quietest in your book." Asks Griswold to give a notice to the writer's own volume [The Poets of America]. Praises [Henry Theodore] Tuckerman.
Folder 623: Keese, John, 1805-1856. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 20 January 1842: New York. Gives information regarding Mrs. [Emma Catherine (Manly)] Embury and her poems.
Folder 624: Keese, John, 1805-1856. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 27 January 1842: New York. Sends five poems by Mrs. [Emma Catherine (Manley)] Embury: "The Old Man's Lament," "Peace," "Stanzas," "The Poetic Impulse," and a sonnet.
Folder 625: Keese, John, 1805-1856. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 15 February 1842: New York. Sends back proofs of Mrs. [Emma Catherine (Manley)] Embury's memoir, with corrections. Asks return of her poem, "The Poetic Impulse."
Folder 626: Kennedy, John Pendleton, 1795-1870. A.L.S. to Thomas Willis White, 3 November 1834: Baltimore. Has no time at present to contribute to the [Southern Literary] Messenger. Praises [James Ewell] Heath's <span style="font-style: italic;">Edge-hill.</span>
Folder 627: Kennedy, John Pendleton, 1795-1870. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 22 December 1834: Baltimore, M.D. [Henry Charles?] Carey has sold one of Poe's tales to Miss [Eliza] Leslie's Souvenir, and the writer has a draft in payment for which he asks Poe to call.
Folder 628: Kennedy, John Pendleton, 1795-1870. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 19 September 1835: Baltimore, M.D. Encourages Poe, suggests that he write "some farces in the manner of the French Vaudevilles." Mentions the coincidence between Poe's tale, "Hans Phaal," and the lunar discoveries. Discusses [Thomas Willis] White's publication of Poe's Tales of the Folio Club.
Folder 629: Kennedy, John Pendleton, 1795-1870. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 December 1845: Baltimore, M.D. Expresses friendship for Poe, though unable to give financial support to the Broadway Journal.