Thomas Wentworth Higginson Correspondence, 1848-1909 | Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

Of the 159 letters in this collection, many deal with abolition, women’s suffrage, and literature. Correspondents include abolitionists, writers, and suffragettes such as Lydia Maria Child, Sarah Orne Jewett, Louise Chandler Moulton, Harriet Spofford, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, Anne Whitney, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Also included is correspondence from Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Abby Kelley Foster.  In addition, there are letters from Una Hawthorne and Rose Hawthorne Lathrop as well as Mabel Loomis Todd.

Contents of these letters range from extending, accepting, and declining invitations to meet, exchanging poetry, soliciting Higginson’s criticism and advice, expressing appreciation of Higginson’s own poetry, administrative concerns relating to the Boston Authors Club, discussion of women’s suffrage events, and inviting him to speak at functions or contribute to literary journals.