Special Collections
A Manuscript SamplerEighteenth and Nineteenth Century Literary and Historical FiguresThe University of Delaware Library's holdings in eighteenth and nineteenth century literature and history include a wealthy of manuscript and archival materials. The following section include a representative sampling from these collections. John Quincy Adams, 1760-1848. In this letter, the former President thanks his correspondent for sending him a copy of a publication relating to commerce and tariffs. At the time, Adams was serving in the United States House Representative from the district of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Beginning in 1831, John Quincy Adams was elected to serve in eight successive congresses.
In this letter, the former President of the Continental Congress and
Revolutionary War diplomat, discusses his role in the writing of the Federalist
Papers. Jay is responding to a query from the important Federalist period
journalist William Coleman (1766-1829). Robert Burns, 1759-1796. The Scottish poet Robert Burns met Robert Graham (1749-1815), the 12th Laird of Fintry, in August 1787. Graham became the poet's steady friend and patron and Burns wrote three poetic epistles to his friend. This is the second such Epistle and concerns the 1790 elections in the Burgh of Dumfries in Southern Scotland where Burns resided. The manuscript was formerly owned by John Gribbel (1858-1936), a Philadelphia industrialist and collector. It eventually was acquired by the Philadelphia nurseryman W. Atlee Burpee . Gift of W. Atlee Burpee Washington Irving, 1783-1859. From the collection of John Stuart Groves. Being a portion of chapter four, volume four, of Irving's Life of Washington. A previous owner has commented: "This is an exceptionally desirable specimen, consisting of nearly two hundred lines and giving a considerable part of the account of Lafayette's return to service in the Continental Army, the resolutions of Congress on the occasion and Washington's plans for a combined attack by the French and American forces on New York." Gift of John Stuart Groves
From the collection of John Stuart Groves. Being a portion of chapter four, volume four, of Irving's Life of Washington. "This is an exceptionally desirable specimen, consisting of nearly two hundred lines and giving a considerable part of the account of Lafayette's return to service in the Continental Army, the resolutions of Congress on the occasion and Washington's plans for a combined attack by the French and American forces on New York" Gift of John Stuart Groves
Melva B. Guthrie Fund and Lammot du Pont Memorial Fund
Nathaniel Hawthorne was employed in the Boston Custom House from 1839 through 1840 and in the Salem Custom House from1846 until 1849, when he again lost his job through a change in political administrations. Hawthorne used his experience in the Salem Custom House as the basis of "The Custom-House" sketch which serves as Hawthorne's preface to The Scarlet Letter. This document bears Hawthorne's signature verifying the import of twenty cords of wood.
In this brief letter, Whitman writes to a member of his Camden circle
concerning a gift of money he received from the British actor Henry Irving. George Gordon Byron, 1788-1824. In this short letter, Lord Byron writes to the publisher Thomas Norton
Longman who earlier had refused to publish Byron's English Bards and
Scotch Reviewers. Henry Clay, 1777-1852.
Autograph letter, to David Constable, 10 January 1828, 2 pp., accompanied by its mailing envelope. In this short but informative letter to one of his publishers, written
just two years before his death, Hazlitt proposes several writing projects
and appears to offer advice to Constable concerning a painting by the
Italian artist Titian. Leigh Hunt, 1784-1859. This letter from the British author to his publisher contains a myriad
of details about his life, literary matters, and miscellaneous news. Sir Walter Scott, 1771-1832. This letter from the Scottish author is directed to the prominent British politician and literary figure John Wilson Croker. Sir Walter Scott provided research information to Croker on various literary projects.
This letter from the important American printer and publisher to the
distinguished New England clergyman, Joseph Lathrop, reveals some of the
problems faced by printers. He apologizes to Lathrop for omitting a page
of the sermon he has printed for the clergyman and tries to explain how
it occurred, during his absence from the press, of course. M. L. (Mason Locke) Weems, 1759-1825. In this brief letter to his publisher, the famous Parson Weems discusses
distribution concerns relating to the Bible which Thomas has just
published. Horace Walpole, 1717-1797. In this brief note, Walpole invites the noted Scottish historian, John
Pinkerton, to visit his estate at Strawberry Hill. Richard Rush, 1780-1859. Richard Rush served the fledgling American government in an number of
official capacities during his long, distinguished career. At the time
of this letter to the publisher Mathew Carey, Rush was the Attorney general
of the United States. Recuperating from an illness, he thanks him for
sending copies of Carey's recently-published book The Olive Branch
(1815), a plea for reconciliation following the War of 1812. Joel Chandler Harris, 1848-1908 In this letter to the Boston publisher, James Osgood, the American author provides an interesting glimpse at the world of nineteenth century publishing contracts. He has signed the letter under the name of his most famous literary creation, "Uncle Remus." Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936. The Second Jungle Book. [New York: The Century Co., 1895]. These proof sheets of pp. 26-32 contain Kipling's autograph corrections. They are accompanied by a short note from Kipling to his publisher concerning the proofs. Melva B. Guthrie bequest Marshals of NapoleonOn May 19, 1804, just one day after being proclaimed
Emperor of France, Napoleon created the office of Maréchal, or
"Marshal of the Empire," an elite civil rank that was bestowed
upon a number of prominent and loyal generals in his army. The title
"Marshal of France" had been used by the Bourbon kings as
a way to honor highly esteemed commanders in the royal army, and Napoleon
sought to revive this tradition. By 1815, twenty-six individuals had
been appointed to this rank. Documents and letters signed by the Marshals
have long been a popular focus of autograph collectors. The University
of Delaware Library holds a complete collection of documents signed
by all twenty-six Marshals as well as related material.
Gift of W. Atlee Burpee Jean Lannes, duc de Montebello,1769-1809. Autograph letter signed, to le Grand Chanielieu 15 April 1806. Also included is a typed translation of the letter and a portrait of Lannes. Josef Anton Poniatowski, Prince, 1763-1813.
Autobiographical WorksMargarett Hazlitt, 1770-1841.
In this manuscript journal,George Arthur Gray, an American sailor, records
his three-year cruise from Boston to China and back on the Dorchester.
Gray made numerous sketches and maps and provides a colorful, fascinating
account of his impressions of China, as well as the life of a seaman. Emily Shore, 1819-1839. Emily Shore was the daughter of an English clergyman. She and her sisters were precocious students, producing volumes of poetry together and demonstrating independent thinking in the diaries they kept as young women. The two volumes of her diaries at the University of Delaware Library reflect the entertaining and intelligent observations of Emily Shore. In her lengthy descriptions of daily life, Shore analyzes the characters of herself, her family, and friends, as well as those she in encountered in books. She wrote about relationships, feelings, and concern for her fragile health. Towards the end, as the finality of her consumptive illness grows more apparent, the quality of her handwriting declines and the spiritual takes on a stronger aspect in her diaries.
The pictorial photographer Gertrude Käasebier got a late start on her distinguished career, pursuing art and photography against the wishes of her husband. Early exhibits of her photography at the Pratt Institute (1897) and the New York Camera Club (1899) brought her recognition and the admiration of Alfred Stieglitz, and in 1902 she became a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement. A glimpse of the crusty, determined personality which enabled her to pursue photography is available in the "autobiographical notes" she composed late in life. In this section she records her impressions of meeting the sculptor Rodin. From the Gertrude Käasebier papers, gift of Mason Turner, Jr. Berta Ruck, 1878-1978. These volumes of hybrid diaries, workbooks, and scrapbooks compiled by the Welsh novelist Berta Ruck, include partial drafts of her works in progress; photographs, postcards, pressed flowers, and other mementoes of her journeys; correspondence; and clippings of reviews of Ruck's novels or real life incidents she incorporated into her fiction. Ruck's travels span the European continent and North Africa. Introduction | | Delaware Collection | Science | 20th c. Literature | 20th c. History & Politics For
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