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Samuel Carter Hall Papers

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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

Hall, S.C. (Samuel Carter), 1800-1889

Samuel Carter Hall was born on May 9, 1800, at the Geneva Barracks near Waterford, Ireland. The son of Robert Hall, a military officer, he spent much of his childhood in barracks and near battlefields. From youth, however, Samuel Hall was interested in the arts, enjoying theater and literature during trips to London. As a young man, Hall worked as a journalist and editor at numerous newspapers and literary magazines. These positions included reporting on Parliamentary debates for the British Press, for which Charles Dickens worked at the same time, and serving as sub-editor for the New Monthly Magazine, a famous literary journal. Hall worked many jobs simultaneously to make ends meet and suffered a brief nervous breakdown in 1830. He continued, however, to engage in a frenzied professional life until settling into a position in 1838 at The Art-Union.

During his time at The Art-Union, Hall reached his peak of influence, creativity, and impact. His leadership there helped to define the art world in an era of massive change, as old patronage systems collapsed and new artists had enormous difficulty being recognized. Hall helped to make the careers of numerous young British artists, as well as helping to direct the development of a new art scene. While Hall had enormous impact as an editor and writer, his reputation among Bohemians was not always favorable. Many artists were skeptical of his Puritanism and prudishness, so he often traveled only at the fringes of the important Bohemian social circles. Hall died on March 16, 1889, after a few years of quiet writing.

Mrs. Samuel Carter Hall (1800-1881), born Anna Maria Fielding, was an important writer in her own right, although many of her works were published under her husband's name. During his years working for literary magazines, the couple regularly worked as a team, and distinguishing their writings can be very difficult. Her specialties, like Hall's, were poetry and sub-romantic literature.

The collection consists of letters and poetry of Samuel Carter Hall and some correspondence of his wife, Anna Maria. Included are letters from their contemporaries, mainly artists and writers, and a scrapbook, titled "Poems / S. C. Hall," containing holograph and published broadside copies of Hall's poems.

The entry on "Hall, Samuel Carter (1800-1889)" in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography was consulted during preparation of the biographical note.

No further accruals are expected.

Correspondence of Hall and wife purchased from Christopher Edwards in July 2005 (AM2006-3). Letters of Hall to others purchased from David J. Holmes in 2006 (AM2007-48). Holograph poem by Hall is a gift of Denny Hatch in 2010 (AM2010-145).

This collection was processed by Anna Bialek and Danielle Ford in July 2005. Finding aid written by Anna Bialek and Danielle Ford in July 2005.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Anna Bialek and Danielle Ford
Finding Aid Date
2004
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Arrangement

Organized into the following file groups: Letters to Samuel Carter Hall, Letters to Mrs. Samuel Carter Hall, Letters by the Halls, and Letters to "Mr. Goss."

Scope and Contents

This series consists of correspondence of the Halls, organized into subseries by recipient.

Physical Description

1 box

Arrangement

Organized alphabetically by name.

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of letters to Samuel Carter Hall, arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Physical Description

1 box

Bell, John (1812-1895), 1854 January 24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp., by Bell, a sculptor.

Physical Description

1 folder

Boner, Charles (1815-1870), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p., by Boner, an author.

Physical Description

1 folder

Bremer, Fredrika (1801-1865), 1855. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p., by Bremer, an author.

Physical Description

1 folder

Brooks, Shirley (1816-1874), November 2. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p.: regarding the promotion of an object shown to the author by Hall.

Physical Description

1 folder

Burke, Bernard, Sir (1814-1892), 1885 September 28. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.: thanking Hall for a gift, probably a book by Hall.

Physical Description

1 folder

Chatterton, Georgiana, Lady (1806-1876), 1856 July 5. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp., by Chatterton, an author.

Physical Description

1 folder

Coleridge, Ernest Hartley (1846-1920), 1885 April 23. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp., by Coleridge, a poet, scholar, and the grandson of Samuel T. Coleridge.

Physical Description

1 folder

Durham, Joseph (1814-1877), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 2 pp., by Durham, a sculptor
  2. ALS, 5 pp.
Physical Description

1 folder

Foster, Thomas Campbell (1813-1882), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp., by Foster, a Times correspondent.

Physical Description

1 folder

Frith, William Powell (1819-1909), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp., by Frith, a painter.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hardy, Thomas Duffus, Sir (1804-1878), 1843 December 21. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hervey, Thomas Kibble (1799-1859), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp., by Hervey, editor of The Athenaeum.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hood, Edwin Paxton (1820-1855), 1884 December 9. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp., by Hood, an author.

Physical Description

1 folder

Jewsburg, Mary Jane (1800-1833), 1829. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

AMsS (initialed), 3 pp., a poem.

Physical Description

1 folder

Jewsburg, Geraldine (1812-1880), 1878 July 9. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp., by Jewsburg, an author.

Physical Description

1 folder

Joy, T. M, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.: includes small portrait of a woman and two men, labeled "T. M. Joy".

Physical Description

1 folder

Kean, Ellen, circa 1863 February 21. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Martin, Theodore, Sir (1816-1909), 1884 September 3. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Mayo, Isabella Fyvie (1843-1914), 1885 April 27. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 8 pp., by Mayo, an author (pseudonym "Edward Garret," regarding the publication of books, including children's books.

Physical Description

1 folder

Molley, J. Fitzgerald (1858-1908), 1885. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 3 pp.: November 4, 1885
  2. ALS, 2 pp.: November 26, 1885
  3. ALS, 1 p.: dated "Christmas 1885"
Physical Description

1 folder

Morris, P. R, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp., by Morris, an artist.

Physical Description

1 folder

Moses, W. Stanton, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p., by Moses, a "psychic investigator."

Physical Description

1 folder

Ponsonby, Henry, Sir (1825-1895), 1881 July 30. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p.: includes envelope with seal.

Physical Description

1 folder

Romer, Justice, Lord, 1901 November 14. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

AL (third person), 1 p.

Physical Description

1 folder

Taylor, Henry, Sir (1800-1886), 1878 February 13. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp., by Taylor, a dramatist.

Physical Description

1 folder

Tupper, Martin Farquhar (1810-1889), 1873 June 30. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p., by Tupper, a poet.

Physical Description

1 folder

Turner, Godfrey (1825-1891), 1880 June 10. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Ward, Henrietta Mary Ada Ward, "Mrs. E. M. Ward,", 1832-1924, 1855 February 24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp., by Ward, an artist.

Physical Description

1 folder

Ward, Henrietta Mary Ada Ward, "Mrs. E. M. Ward,", 1832-1924, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp., by Ward, an artist.

Physical Description

1 folder

Weir, Harrison (1824-1906), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp., by Weir, a painter.

Physical Description

1 folder

Williamson, F. J. (1833-1920), 1870-1881. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 4 pp.: February 10, 1870, by Williamson, "sculptor to the Queen"
  2. ALS, 3 pp.: July 28, 1877
  3. ALS, 3 pp.: December 1880
  4. ALS, 3 pp.: February 12, 1881
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Authors, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

10 Ls

Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

Organized alphabetically by name.

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of letters to Mrs. Samuel Chase Hall, arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Physical Description

1 box

Broderie, Fanny, December 22. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Cox, Serjeant (1809-1879), 1872. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 4 pp.: 1872
  2. ALS, 4 pp.: n.d.
Physical Description

1 folder

Durham, Joseph (1814-1877), February 1. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Godwin, George (1815-1888), 1874 September 18. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hardy, Thomas Duffus, Sir (1804-1878), and Hardy, Lady, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

6 ALsS

Physical Description

1 folder

Hayes, Catherine (1818-1861), 1851 August 23. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 4 pp., by Hayes, who was involved in opera.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hoey, Cashel, Mrs. (1830-1908), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p.

Physical Description

1 folder

Pfeiffer, Emily (1827-1890), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.: includes small printed card announcing the release of Pfeiffer's new volume, "The Rhyme of the Lady of the Rock, and How it Grew".

Physical Description

1 folder

Richards, Brinley (1819-1885), 1875 October 18. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 2 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Ruskin, John (1819-1900), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 1 p.

Physical Description

1 folder

Sigourney, Lydia Huntley (1791-1865), 1842 September 24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

ALS, 3 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Wood, Henry, Mrs. (1814-1887), 1880. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 2 pp.: January 5, 1880
  2. ALS, 2 pp.: June 5, 1880
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

Arrangement has no apparent organization scheme.

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of several miscellaneous letters by the Halls.

Physical Description

1 box

Hall, Mrs. Samuel Carter ("Anna Maria Hall"), 1850-1866. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

3 ALsS, 1 ANS

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1859-1888. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

2 ALsS, 2 TNsS

Physical Description

1 folder

Empty Covers, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

3 ANs: empty covers for letters, created by Samuel Carter Hall.

Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

Organized alphabetically by name.

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of letters to an unidentified "Mr. Goss" by M. A. Gordon.

Physical Description

1 box

Gordon, M. A, 1889-1893. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents
  1. ALS, 4 pp.: June 18, 1889
  2. ALS, 3 pp.: December 18, 1890
  3. ALS, 2 pp.: March 27, 1891
  4. ALS, 3 pp.: December 24, 1891
  5. ALS, 4 pp.: February 17, 1892
  6. ALS, 4 pp.: February 22, 1892
  7. ALS, 4 pp.: January 5, 1893
  8. ALS, 3 pp.: February 9, 1893
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

Arrangement has no apparent organization scheme.

Scope and Contents

This series consists of miscellaneous materials, including a scrapbook of Hall's poems.

Physical Description

1 box

Moore, Thomas, 1865 February 7. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

AMs, 2 pp.: diary entry for November 1834 written by Moore, copied by Hall. Labeled "Inisfail" by Hall on outer cover.

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Loose Items, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Loose items removed from the scrapbook in folder 50.

Physical Description

1 folder

"Poems / S. C. Hall", undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Scrapbook, containing holograph and printed copies of poems by Hall.

Physical Description

1 folder

"After Forty Years", 1868. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

autograph poem, "After Forty Years, January 6, 1868,", 1 p..

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest