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Letters to Lucy Larcom, 1859-1892

 Sub-Series

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Lucy Larcom Papers include 2 diaries, Nov. 1859-Aug. 1862, originally begun as an "extended letter" to Esther Humiston. Humiston was a life long confidante until her death in 1861. Many of the entries were marked for inclusion in Daniel Dulany Addison's biography "Lucy Larcom: Life, Letters and Diary" (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1894.) Within the collection are Larcom's commonplace books from 1859-1867 in which she collected clippings and manuscript excerpts of poems, along with quotations from Blake, Lavater, Wesley, Longfellow, Hugo, Herbert, Emerson, and many others; lists of authors writing on such subjects as the Forest and Flowers, Mountains and Hillsides; notes on Salem history [perhaps for her various published collections of poetry]; draft poems and rhetoric notes; and a Herbarium that she created. Larcom's class books including her Philosophy notebook with the contents listed as an Outline of Philosophy, Sensationalism, Idealism, Skepticism, Mysticism, Eclecticism, Plato and his Philosophy, Aristotle and his Philosophy, The Scholastics. Additionally the collection includes her Wheaton Seminary curriculum notes for Rhetoric, Composition (three classes), English Literature, Botany, French, 1856-57; Paley[‘s Natural Theology], Botany, Composition (three classes) 1857-58, and others, as well as a grade book from 1859-1861. Most interesting to scholars will be Larcom's correspondence with her mother, John Greenleaf Whittier and his sister, Mrs. A.D.T. Whitney from 1855 to 1892. For scholars interested in Larcom's relationship to Wheaton Seminary's founder Eliza Baylies Wheaton, there is correspondence from 1865 to 1888.



The collection contains many of Larcom's original watercolors, pen and ink drawings, and pencil sketches of landscapes and nature. Manuscript materials include poems, the Semi-centennial Sketch of Wheaton Seminary, and other items. Part of the collection includes a photograph of Larcom's room at her brother Benjamin's home, as well as portraits of Larcom, and members of her family. Articles published about Larcom, contemporary with her and also after her death provide scholars with a larger perspective on her impact, while various obituaries and memorials clearly demonstrate her long lasting legacy. Larcom's furniture, clothing, and memorabilia, including her Kansas Prize Song printed on handkerchief (1855) coupled with genealogical and manuscript material on the Benjamin Larcom family of Beverly MA, prepared by Lois Larcom Horn Wheaton class of 1928 and Larcom’s great grand niece, help situate Larcom within the context of her family and social sphere. The genealogical materials include travel accounts by Lois Larcom Horn (W1928), from the 1960s-1970s.

Dates

  • Creation: 1859-1892

Creator

Access Restrictions

No Restrictions. Papers are open to researchers.

Extent

From the Series: 1 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Marion B. Gebbie Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wheaton College
26 East Main Street
Norton Massachusetts 02766