The collection consists of 13 letters: to My dear sir (Mr. Briggs), 11 Feb. 1855, responding to his note with an autograph; to Dear sir (Mr. Shinn), 5 Feb. 1865, about collecting money for Shinn's brother's wife; to Ticknor & Fields, 26 March 1867, acknowledging receipt of $25.00 for Christopher Pearse Cranch's poem used in the April issue of Atlantic; to Mr. Dearborn, 22 May 1871, declining an invitation; to My dear sir, 17 Aug. 1871, "are we agreed upon Monday Nov. 27?"; to Gentlemen, 20 Dec. 1871, declining an invitation to honor a colleague, but sending congratulations. Also, to Dear sirs, 17 Feb. 1872, enclosing six dollars for the purchase of the Drake dictionary of American biography; brief comments on Bayard Taylor (for publication after his death); to Dear sir (Mr. Palmer), 25 Oct. 1872, declining an invitation due to a previous engagement; to My dear Mr. Colfax, 10 July 1874, about his admiration for Charles Sumner, and the difficulties of a public life; to Dear sir (Mr. ?) noting he had asked for reserved seat tickets, with congratulations about the concert; letter to My dear Sir, 10 April 1880, sending a few words and commenting on his photograph; to Dear sir, 26 March 1883, commenting on a book of French history.
In Rare Books and Manuscripts, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (#04086).
Source of Acquisition
1998-0426R: Gift and purchase from Various sources. 1974-0168: Gift of Philip Allison Shelley, 1974.
Biographical or Historical Sketch
George William Curtis was an influential author, lecturer, editor and social activist. He was influenced by his time in Concord with Emerson and other transcendentalists, and helped Thoreau build his cabin at Walden Pond. Through his activities and his novels, editorials, essays, and lectures, he intelligently championed causes such as women's rights, public education, civil service reform, and the abolition of slavery.
