Call Number:

C0814

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.50 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); G. P. R. James Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1825-1858 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford), 1801?-1860

Form:

Autographs. and Correspondence.

Abstract:

George Payne Rainsford James was an extremely prolific English novelist and historian in the nineteenth century. His collection contains some of his correspondence with various editors and colleagues, along with some miscellaneous prose and poetry, unfinished letters, and James's autographs.

English novelist and historian G. P. R. James wrote nearly a hundred novels, such as Richelieu (1825), The Gypsy (1835), Attila (1837), and The Mysterious Chevalier (1843), as well as many popular historical works, including The Life and Times of Louis XIV (1838), and some poetry and plays. Later in life he was appointed British consul for Massachusetts (1850) and Norfolk, Virginia (1852-1855), then became consul-general at Venice (1856-1860).

The collection consists primarily of correspondence of James. Included in the collection is a large file of letters, 1828-1852, to Charles Ollier, publisher of Keats and Shelley. Other correspondents include John Aitken, William Jerdan, editor of "The Literary Gazette," Sir J. H. Seymour, William H. Harrison, John Murray, Charles Lever, William Harrison Ainsworth, and Alaric A. Watts. Also present are some miscellaneous prose and poetry, incomplete letters, and autographs of James, as well "The History of Chivarly" (1832) a lengthy, anonymous review of James's book, written to coincide with the publication of its American edition.

The collection is organized into the following series: