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William Michael Rossetti Collection

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
C0223
Repository:
Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division
Extent:
  • 1 box
  • 0.4 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William Michael Rossetti Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Date:
1868-1907 (inclusive)
Creator:
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Rossetti, William Michael (1829-1919)
Form:
Correspondence, Manuscripts., and Sketches.
Abstract:
The William Michael Rossetti Collection consists of manuscripts, sketches, correspondence, and miscellanea of the English art critic and essayist William Michael Rossetti (1829-1919).

Rossetti, William Michael (1829-1919)

William Rossetti, brother to Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Christina Rossetti, as well as art critic and literary editor, was born on September 25, 1829. When he was sixteen years old, Rossetti started working in the Excise Office. In 1850 he started working for The Spectator as an art critic, and between the two jobs helped support the entire Rossetti family. In 1894, Rossetti stopped working at the Excise Office, by then known as the Inland Revenue Office. He was the diarist for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and editor of the associated journal The Germ. He also edited volumes of poetry by his siblings, and put together D.G. Rossetti: A Memoir with Family Letters in 1895. In addition to these editorial accomplishments, Rossetti also a sharp critic, generating early support and praise for Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass and William Blake. He passed away on February 5, 1919.

The collection consists primarily of original letters and manuscripts of William Michael Rossetti, one of the Pre-Raphaelite "brothers." Rossetti's correspondents include Charles Aldrich, William M. Colles, E. H. Leggatt, Everard Meynell, David M. Main, Frederick Locker, Ford Madox Ford, Theodore Watts-Dunton, Walter Severn, Octavia Susman, and others. The manuscripts include an introduction to Miscellaneous Essays, Sketches, and Reviews, a volume of William Makepeace Thackeray's works; two undated essays attributed to Rossetti entitled "Flowers in Ancient Egypt" and "The Gardens of Ancient Egypt;" a prefatory note to Charles Dicken's Pictures from Italy; and a biographical sketch of Ford Madox Brown. Also present are several drawings and three photographs of Rossetti and family members, and a small selection of miscellanea, including an article on Italian history and the politics of the Papacy by Rossetti's father, Gabriele Rossetti.

The following standard abbreviations, or their variations, are used to identify materials in this collection: ALS = autograph letter signed, ACS = autograph card signed, ANS = autograph note signed, AMs = autograph manuscript, and TMs = typed manuscript.

Organized into four series: Writings and Artwork, Correspondence, Unidentified Correspondence, and Documents and Miscellaneous Material.

This collection was formed as a result of the departmental practice of combining into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a particular author.

Mostly purchased in 1977-2011, with some later additions. 1 Letter from Rosetti is a gift of Mark Samuels Lasner.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection was processed by Karla J. Vecchia in 2002. Finding aid written by Karla J. Vecchia in 2002.

Biography written by Alyxandra Cullen, '09.

No material was separated during processing.

Subject

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Karla J. Vecchia
Finding Aid Date
2003
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

Contains miscellaneous manuscripts of Rossetti's writings, as well as a few sketches.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Physical Description

1 box

Brown, Ford Madox (1821-1893), AMs, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Biographical sketch begins "The circumstances under..."

Physical Description

1 box

"Flowers in Ancient Egypt", TMs, with autograph corrections, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

"The Gardens of Ancient Egypt", TMs, with autograph corrections, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

"Miscellaneous Essays and Reviews", TMs, with autograph corrections, 1903. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Introduction to Miscellaneous Essays, Sketches and Reviews by William Makepeace Thackeray

Physical Description

1 box

"Pictures from Italy - Prefatory Note", TMs, with autograph corrections, 1902. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Preface to Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens

Physical Description

1 box

Sketches of Rossetti Family Members and Other Pre-Raphaelites, circa 1850s-1870s. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Consists of two sheets of paper containing eight pencil sketches by William Michael Rossetti. The sketches are of heads of various Rossetti family members and other friends in the Pre-Raphaelite circle. Those depicted include Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882, brother), Frances Mary Lavinia Polidori Rossetti (1800-1886, mother), William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), James Hannay (1827-1873), and William North (1825-1854). Identifications and other annotations added by William Michael Rossetti's daughter, Helen Rossetti Angeli (1879-1969).

Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

Contains miscellaneous correspondence of Rossetti.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent name.

Physical Description

1 box

Academy, Editor of, 1902. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Signed autograph card by William Michael Rossetti, commenting on two books he read in 1902.

Physical Description

1 box

Aldrich, Charles, 2 ALsS, with typed transcripts, 1884. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Bastian, Mrs., 1 ALS, 1872. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Bell, Mackenzie, 1 ALS to Rossetti, 1898. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Annotated by Rossetti in pencil at the top of the first page: "Biographer of Christina Rossetti-Relates to a proposed visit to Holmer Green (some 30 miles from London) where our grandfather Polidori lived in our childhood."

Physical Description

1 box

Bennett, Alfred W., 1 ALS, 1865. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS (fragment), undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

1 ACS, 1885. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Clippings: Biography of Brown (1), images painted by Brown (4), and images of Brown (3), dates not examined. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Burcham, R. P., 1 ALS, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Caine, Hall, 1889 January 15. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Consists of a three-page signed autograph letter from William Michael Rossetti (5 Endsleigh Gardens, N.W.) regarding sonnets.

Physical Description

1 box

Castelvecchio, Signorina, 1906. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with William Michael Rossetti, Montague Rhodes James, and Charles H. St. John Hornby about Dante Gabriel Rossetti's poem, "Sister Helen"

Physical Description

1 box

Clayton, [John?], 1 ALS, 1907. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Cockerell, Sydney Carlyle, Sir, 1 ALS, 1902. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Colles, William M., 21 ALsS, 1898-1907. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Deverell, Mrs. [Walter?], 1 ALS, 1899. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Durham, Mr., 2 ALsS, 1882. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Everson, Miss, 1 ALS, 1902. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Ford, Ford Madox & Elsie, 11 ALsS, 1897-1910. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Materials Viewable Online
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Furnivall, Frederick J., 1 ALS, with typed transcript, 1868. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Green, Jesse C., 1 ANS, 1886. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Grove, George, 1 ALS, circa 1876. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Hood, P. H., 5 ALsS, 1900-1918. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

re: W. T. Deverell & exhibition of D. G. R.

Physical Description

1 box

Hueffer, [Francis], 1 ALS, 1882. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

re: death of D. G. R.

Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

re: "Mr. Tupper"

Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS, 1882. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

To "William" [William Michael Rossetti]

Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS, 1907. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

4 ALsS to Mrs. Hunt, 1885-1906. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(See also: Photographs)

Physical Description

1 box

[Knowles, B.], 1 ALS, 1898. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Leggatt, E. H., 1 ALS, 1888. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Locker, Frederick, 4 ALsS, circa 1870. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

re: W. M. R.'s book on Shelley

Physical Description

1 box

Materials Viewable Online
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Lowe, Miss, 2 ALsS, 1882. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Lushington, [Vernon?], 1 ALS (photocopy), 1882. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

re: F. M. Brown's gout

Physical Description

1 box

Mac Coll, ACS, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Main, David M., 4 ALsS, 1883-1886. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

4 ALsS, 1899-1900. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

3 ALsS by George Rae to Marillier, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Meynell, Everard, 5 ALsS, 3 ACsS, 1903-1907. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Morse, Mrs., 1 ALS, 1898. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Murray, Alma, 1 ALS, 1888. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Noble, J. A., 1 ALS, 1880. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Pocock, C. J., 1 ALS, 1884 July 18. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

[Prideaux, Colonel], 1 ALS, 1960. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Roberts Bros., 1 ALS, 1894. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Seddon, Mr., 1 ALS, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Severn, Walter (1830-1904), 1 ALS, 1869. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Stephens, Frederic G., 1 ACS, 1892. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

11 ALsS, 1901-1905. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Materials Viewable Online
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1 clipping, 1902. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Materials Viewable Online
  1. View digital content
Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS, 1899. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(See also: Hunt, W.H.)

Physical Description

1 box

Vincent, Gertrude H., 1 ALS, 1904. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Waddington, Mr., 1 ALS, 1886. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Warren, Fiske, Mrs., 1 ALS, 1891. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

2 ALsS, with typed transcripts, 1887-1888. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

1 ALS to Rossetti, 1896. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(asking if he is right to send "this" to you, and in pencil footnote referring to Swinburne)

Physical Description

1 box

Whistler, James McNeill, ANS, with AN by Rossetti, circa 1892. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

Contains unidentified correspondence of Rossetti.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Physical Description

1 box

"My Dear Sir", 1873. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(quotes Shelley)

Physical Description

1 box

"Dear Sirs", 1897. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: royalties of DGR)

Physical Description

1 box

"Dear Sir", 1897. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: photograph of WMR and W. B. Scott)

Physical Description

1 box

"Dear Sir", 1898. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: exhibition of DGR)

Physical Description

1 box

"Dear Sir", March 19, no year, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: subscription for George Cruikshank)

Physical Description

1 box

"Dear Sir", 1901 November 9. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: Boer War)

Physical Description

1 box

"My dear Madam", July 23, no year, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: poetic gift)

Physical Description

1 box

"My dear Madam", 1910. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

(re: copyright of poems of CR)

Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

Contains miscellaneous material by or about Rossetti.

Arrangement

Arranged by format: photographs before printed matter.

Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

William Michael Rossetti, Arthur and Mary Rossetti, Mrs. Arthur Rossetti, Olivia Rossetti Agresti, and Helen Rossetti Angeli inscribed to Mrs. Garnett by Olivia Rossetti Agresti, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

William Michael Rossetti and Helen M. Madox Rossetti, 1896. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

William Michael Rossetti, Arthur Rossetti, and Arthur's son inscribed to William Holman Hunt, 1905. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

Printed Matter: Clippings, undated. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

"Souscription pour subvenir aux premiers besoins d'une famille française...:," ADS, 1872. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Subscription for funds to aid a poor French family signed by Ford Madox Brown, W. M. Rossetti, Francis Hueffer, A. Hake, M. Cavre, H. V., Mrs. Linton, and D. G. Rossetti.

Physical Description

1 box

Rossetti, Gabriele, AMs (in Italian), circa 1850. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

"Che squallore, che miseria, che inerzia, che pratiche superstiziose, che invincibili pregiudizi," on Italian history and politics of the Papacy, 1 p., with a separate autograph note by William Michael Rossetti

Physical Description

1 box

Print, Suggest