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.

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Box 17

Folder 1050: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 10 October 1844: Washington, D.C. Thanks Poe for an approving letter. Sends Poe a copy of his little book, which has received good notices except from Park Benjamin and Thomas Dunn English. [Jesse E.] Dow is prospering as doorkeeper to the House of Representatives.
Folder 1051: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 10 December 1844: Washington, D.C. Asks why Poe has not written for two months.
Folder 1052: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 12 May 1845: Washington, D.C. Sends a cryptograph partly deciphered in Poe's hand. Asks about various friends, including [Nathaniel P.] Willis, Park Benjamin, and [Jesse E.] Dow.
Folder 1053: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 10 July 1845: Washington, D.C. Thanks Poe for translating a cypher. Asks about possibility of publishing some biographical sketches of the writer which have been refused by Wiley and Putnam. Offers them to Poe for his journal [the Broadway Journal?]. News of friends.
Folder 1054: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 29 September 1845: Washington, D.C. Receives Poe's journal [the Broadway Journal?] regularly. Is pleased that Poe has published the writer's sketches of [John] Randolph and [William] Wirt. Asks for an autograph letter from Poe to exhibit. Is much interested in Biblical subjects.
Folder 1055: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 June 1854: Jubilee College, Robin's Nest Post-office, I.L. Lists the writer's works. Announces his intentions of taking orders in the Episcopal Church. Describes letters from Poe in his possession and offers them to Griswold with reservations. Asks Griswold to get his manuscript, "How I Came to Be Challenged," from Putnam's. Inquires about Charles Fenno Hoffman.
Folder 1056: Thomas, Frederick William, 1806-1866. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 22 August 1854: Jubilee College, Robin's Nest Post-office, I.L. Sends a selection of Poe's letters. Praises [Joseph Holt] Ingraham.
Folder 1057: Thomas, Frederick William. Ms. poem, n.d.: "A Fact in Relation to a Certain Physician, Versified."
Folder 1058: Thompson, Daniel Pierce, 1795-1868. A.N.S. to Stringer and Townsend, n.d.: [Montpelier, V.T.?] Asks if they wish to exchange with the [Green Mountain] Freeman.
Folder 1059: Thompson, John Reuben to R. W. Griswold, 12 October 1848: Messenger Office, Richmond, V.A. Sends a short sketch of Miss [Susan Archer] Talley for Female Poets of America.
Folder 1060: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 16 January 1849: Richmond, V.A. Thanks Griswold for a copy of Female Poets of America and suggests sending one to Miss [Susan Archer] Talley.
Folder 1061: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 21 December 1849: Richmond, V.A. Sends two letters of [Philip Pendleton?] Cooke and a short statement on Poe's connection with the Allans. Comments on the writer's exclusion from Poets of America.
Folder 1062: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 2 April 1850: Richmond, V.A. Praises [Moses Drury] Hoge's Sermons and St. Leger Landon Carter's Nugau [1844]. Apologizes for the review of Poe's Works, [edited by Griswold, Willis and Lowell] which attacked the editors, and cites his disclaimer in the same issue [March, 1850] of the Southern Literary Messenger.
Folder 1063: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 30 September 1850: Richmond, V.A. Having no space in the October issue of the [Southern Literary] Messenger for a notice of Poe's Literati, he has called attention to the book in the Daily Whig, and encloses the "scrap." Asks Griswold to send him any foreign magazines and newspapers which are not needed, and to get him a set of Goupil & Co's prints.
Folder 1064: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 February 1851: Richmond, V.A. Asks where he can have a plate made for the cover of the [Southern Literary] Messenger in the style of the International [Magazine]. Encloses a short poem.
Folder 1065: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 1 February 1851: Richmond, V.A. Introduces Mr. M. S. Valentine, Jr.
Folder 1066: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 28 June 1851: Richmond, V.A. Has found a daguerrotype of a Stuart portrait of Mrs. Lewis of the Washington family which Griswold may want to use. Has sent some verse of Putnam's for publication but has heard nothing from it. Asks for Griswold's article on "the Bloomer question" and for [Philip P?] Cooke's "Turkey-Shooting in Virginia."
Folder 1067: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 July 1851: Richmond, V.A. Sends a poem which Griswold may wish to publish.
Folder 1068: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 8 September 1851: Messenger Office, Richmond, V.A. Has not received the promised three volumes of the International [Magazine]. Wishes to know program of the Mercantile Library Lectures. Wants to write and deliver a lecture on the "Obligations of Patriotism."
Folder 1069: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 8 November 1851: Richmond, V.A. Sends a piece of verse for the December International [Magazine]. Stringer and Townsend have not sent the three bound volumes of the magazine [the International?] promised by Griswold.
Folder 1070: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 2 December 1851: Richmond, V.A. Asks Griswold to return his verses since they are not published in the December International [Magazine]. The Messenger is about to fail. Deplores the neglect of southern Literature and men of letters.
Folder 1071: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 3 February 1854: Richmond, V.A. Declines Griswold's invitation to meet [James T.] Fields. Lists numbers of the Messenger he has found for Griswold, and suggests the possibility of selling a set to the Astor Library. Asks to be put on the exchange list of the Herald.
Folder 1072: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 18 February 1854: Richmond, V.A. States terms for the sale of the Messenger series to the Astor Library. Will be glad to use Griswold's reviews whenever possible.
Folder 1073: Thomas, Frederick William to R. W. Griswold, 13 March 1854: Richmond, V.A. Thanks him for assisting in the sale of the Messenger volumes to the Astor Library. Encloses a "jeu d'esprit."
Folder 1074: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, n.d.: N.p. Regrets not to find Griswold at home. Leaves engravings and a sonnet for The Cairn.
Folder 1075: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, n.d.: N.p. Saturday morning. Will be unable to join Griswold and Harper as arranged. Wishes to be presented to Mr. Coleman or Mr. Stetson [proprietors of the Astor House?].
Folder 1076: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. Ms. poem., [After 1850]: "To Bulwer. On a Second Reading of 'The Caxtons.'"
Folder 1077: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. Ms. poem, n.d.: "Old Wine to Drink."
Folder 1078: Thompson, John Reuben, 1823-1873. Printed clipping, n.d.: Two poems reprinted from the Home Journal: "To Miss Amelie Louise Rives," and a "Rhyming review" of N. Parker Willis's Rural Letters, 1049.
Folder 1079: Thomson, Charles West, 1798-1879. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 May 1841: N.p. Asks about payment for future contributions [to Graham's Magazine].
Folder 1080: Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862. A.L.S. to Horace Greeley, 19 May 1848: Concord, M.A. Thanks Greeley for $50 just received. Has supported himself by manual labor for five years, during which time he has lived well, and had leisure for literary pursuits. Would be pleased to receive $25 for the Maine article.
Folder 1081: Thornton, John Wingate, 1818-1878. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 8 December 1854: 20 Court St. Boston, M.A. Congratulates him on the Republican Court [1854]. Asks from what source he obtained a copy of a Martha Washington letter, the original of which is owned by the writer.
Folder 1082: Thorpe, Thomas Bangs. D., n.d.: Biographical sketch [for Prose Writers of America].
Folder 1083: Ticknor, Mrs. Anna (Eliot), 1800-1885. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 13 December n.y.: Park St., Boston, M.A. Thanks him for some engravings of Huntington's designs.
Folder 1084: Ticknor, George, 1791-1871. AL.S. to Horatio Greenough, 6 August 1852: Boston, M.A. Congratulates Greenough [on what?]. Mentions the enthusiasm of [W.H.?] Trescott of South Carolina for Greenough's bas-relief and statue of Washington. Speaks favorably of Trescott.
Folder 1085: Tillinghast, R. P. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold: Postmarked New York. Sends a song of patriotism and another "favorite effusion" along with two articles for Griswold's consideration.
Folder 1086: Tomlin, John to ----, 16 October 1839: Jackson, T.N. Submits "Theodoric of the Amali" for Poe's criticism.
Folder 1087: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 22 November 1840: Jackson, T.N. Inquires if the currency of Tennessee is acceptable in Philadelphia. Awaits the appearance of the writer's "Devil's Visit" [in the Penn Magazine?]. Reminds Poe that W. Gilmore Simms can be of great assistance to him. Praises Simms.
Folder 1088: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 13 March 1841: Jackson, T.N. Asks if plans for the Penn Magazine have been abandoned. Offers his own aid "for any scheme or plan" Poe may have.
Folder 1089: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 30 April 1841: Jackson, T.N. Asks about the publication of the writer's "Devil's Visit" in Graham's Magazine. Offers his services whenever necessary.
Folder 1090: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 October 1841: Jackson, T.N. Describes a communication from "Boz" [Dickens], which he is forwarding for publication in Graham's Magazine. Thanks Poe for a favorable notice.
Folder 1091: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 12 October 1841: Jackson, T.N. Sends a poem, "To John Tomlin, Esq.," by "T.E." for publication in Graham's Magazine.
Folder 1092: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 29 October 1841: Jackson, T.N. Sends a sonnet, "How often have I fixed a stranger's gaze," by Sergeant [Thomas] Noon Talfourd of London for publication in Graham's Magazine.
Folder 1093: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 1 March 1843: Jackson, T.N. Suggests that Poe take [Thomas W.] White's place as editor of the Southern Literary Messenger.
Folder 1094: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 2 July 1843: Jackson, T.N. Laments the defeat of the Stylus project by Poe's enemies in Philadelphia, among them, Morton C. Michael. Calls attention to the praise of Poe by William G. Simms and [Alexander B.] Meek. Mentions biographical sketches made by the writer for the Stylus.
Folder 1095: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 9 August 1843: Jackson, T.N. Sends a cryptograph from the Hon. Alexander B. Meek. Can Poe solve it?
Folder 1096: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 10 September 1843: Jackson, T.N. Encloses L. A. Wilmer's letter about Poe, but with misgivings.
Folder 1097: Tomlin, John. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 23 February 1844: Jackson, T.N. Asks if Poe has suitably chastised L. A. Wilmer for his slanderous attacks on him. Commends Poe's review of "Orion" in the February or March number of Graham's.
Folder 1098: Tomlin, John; Ms. poem, 24 December n.y.: Jackson, T.N. "To Miss M. E. MacM--- of Philadelphia.
Folder 1099: Torrey, H. A.L.S. to Alice Cary, 13 November 1855: Merchant Office. Despairs of collecting payment for her work from Mr. Lee.
Folder 1100: Townsend, Washington, 1813-1894. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 18 June 1850: West Chester, P.A. Sends a poem, written by Townsend Haines for Poets of America.
Folder 1101: Trabault, Herbert. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 November 1851: 130 Broadway, New York, N.Y. The writer will be responsible for any charges for Griswold's article which is to appear in the Westminster Review.
Folder 1102: Trowbridge, John Townsend (Creyton, Paul, pseud.); Ms. poem, n.d.: "Eleanor."
Folder 1103: Trumbull, John, 1750-1821. A.L.S. to Mathew Carey, 4 June 1785: Hartford, C.T. Will permit republications of his works. Has decided not to suppress the Progress of Dulness [1772], and has transcribed The Vanity of Ambition. Will republish McFingal [1775, 1782]. If the addressee intends to publish an editon of American poets, the writer suggests he include [Rowland] Rugely, Governor [W.] Livingston, Samuel Quincy, and others.
Folder 1104: Tucker, George,1775-1861. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 2 June 1855: Baltimore, M.D. Sends corrections to be made in the notice about Judge [Henry St. George] Tucker.
Folder 1105: Tucker, George, 1775-1861. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 7 February 1856: Philadelphia, P.A. Lists works by Beverley Tucker, Henry St. George Tucker, and himself. Mentions his forthcoming History of the United States.
Folder 1106: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to Thomas W. White, 29 November 1835: Williamsburg, V.A. Criticizes a review of Norman Leslie, also one of Poe's tales, and the same author's metrical faults.
Folder 1107: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to Edgar Allan Poe, 5 December 1835: Williamsburg, V.A. Discusses Poe's metrics and the writer's views on criticism and good metrics. Condemns the arrogance of Wilson of Blackwoods. Requests Burkes works, 1834.
Folder 1108: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to Thomas W. White, 26 January 1836: Williamsburg, V.A. Praises Poe's criticism of "Mrs. Sigourney & Co.," and cautions him against imprudence. Urges White to aim the Messenger at the intelligent part of the public.
Folder 1109: Tuckerman, Henry Theodore, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 5 November 1841: Boston, M.A. Sends corrections for his poem, "A Poet's Life." Asks Griswold to look up "The Holy Land," "Winter," and "To a Brunette" in The Ladies Companion, 1839-1840. Encloses another piece.
Folder 1110: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 29 April 1842: Boston, M.A. Sends corrections for the "Ringlet"and "Mary" [which both appear on p. 415 of Poets of America, 1842]. Would like manuscripts of his poems returned. Advises Griswold to omit portraits in his next [second] edition [of Poets of America].
Folder 1111: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 24 June 1842: Boston, M.A. Sends poem as a contribution to Graham's Magazine. Asks if Griswold is going abroad in the autumn, and if there is any possibility of his succeeding Griswold as editor [of Graham's].
Folder 1112: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 14 July 1842: Boston, M.A. Asks Griswold to get back the manuscript of his "Love and Mystery." Commends Ticknor's edition of Tennyson. Mentions [John] Pierpont, J[ohn] Q[uincy] Adams, and [E.T.] Whipple. Notes lines addressed to the writer in the June Messenger.
Folder 1113: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 17 October 1842: New York. Sends manuscripts (not named) [for Graham's Magazine?] and requests immediate payment. Regrets the "Irving paragraph." Mentions [James T.] Fields's engagement to Mary Willard.
Folder 1114: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 7 December 1842: New York. Is pleased to hear of Griswold's welfare. Begs Griswold to correct some errors in "The Spirit of Poetry," and to return the "Notes" before they are lost in the printing office.
Folder 1115: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 28 December 1842: New York. Has not the time to write a notice of [George] Lunt. Has seen Mrs. [Emma C.] Embury, and "all is explained."
Folder 1116: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 31 May 1843: Boston, M.A. Sends requested sketch [of Charles Fenno Hoffman] with suggestions for its successful publication. Would like to have copies of the [Graham's] Magazine sent to him regularly.
Folder 1117: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 17 April 1844: New York. Wishes to correct typographical errors in his poems for the new edition of Poets of America. Asks Griswold to send him an early copy of Poets and Poetry of England [November 1844].
Folder 1118: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 26 October 1844: New York. Asks Griswold to send him three copies of Mrs. Hemans, which are badly needed; also Sidney Smith and the English Poets.
Folder 1119: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 30 December 1844: New York. Suggests twenty-two authors whom he considers important enough to add to Griswold's list [for Prose Writers of America, 1847?]. Suggests from his work the articles on "Shelley," "The Disclaimer," and "The Capital." Asks him to send several books.
Folder 1120: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 24 March 1845: 39 Broadway, (New York?). Asks Griswold to send "the sheets of Poetry" and to return the writer's article on Shelley. Asks to be remembered to "Aunt Hessie Myers." Asks why Griswold does not "make up" with [Francis de Haes] Janvier.
Folder 1121: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 20 June 1845: New York. Introducing the bearer (not named). Would like him to meet [P.T.?] Tyson and to learn about American literature and political economy. Mentions Mr. Carey's death. Wishes to write notices of Longfellow's Poets [and Poetry of Europe] and [Henry] Brougham's Lives of Men of Letters, both recently published by Carey & Hart.
Folder 1122: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 10 July 1845: New York. Thanks him for sending books. Will go to Boston soon; hopes to meet Griswold there. Is sorry to hear of [Francis de Haes] Janvier's illness. Sends his regards to the Myers family.
Folder 1123: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley, 1784-1851. A.L.S. to R. W. Griswold, 16 September 1845: 47 Warren St., New York. Congratulates Griswold on his marriage [to Charlotte Myers]. Hope to visit Philadelphia for a few days. Would like to see the sheets of the new edition of Poets of America which relate to the writer, and to have an early copy of the Christian Annual.
Folder 1124: Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley to R. W. Griswold, 8 April n.y.: 47 Warren St., New York. Will attend to the enclosure for Poe. Comments on Griswold's engagement to Charlotte Myers. Asks to see proofs of [Charles Fenno] Hoffman's Vigil. Wants someone to copy "The Poet" from the New Yorker, 1838-9 for him, also lines, "To Mrs. Wood," from a Philadelphia paper.