Call Number:

C1285

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 1.7 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Annette Covington Letters to Luther P. Eisenhart, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1935-1953 (inclusive)

Creator:

Covington, Annette, 1872-1964

Form:

Correspondence -- 20th century and Scrapbooks -- 20th century

Abstract:

Consists chiefly of correspondence between artist Annette Covington and Princeton professor and dean Luther P. Eisenhart, and papers relating to the "Baconian" theory of the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.

Annette Covington was an American landscape artist, portrait painter, illustrator, and teacher. Her grandfather, Samuel Fulton Covington, aided in the development of the Ohio Valley. Covington was president of the Cincinnati Woman's Art Club, Cincinnati, Ohio, (1916.)

After receiving his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1900, Luther P. Eisenhart was called to Princeton as instructor in mathematics where he contributed to the University's development in many ways: as a mathematician, teacher, chairman of his department; as chairman of the Committee on Scientific Research, dean of the faculty, dean of the Graduate School; and as father of the four-course plan.

The Baconian theory of Shakespearean authorship holds that Sir Francis Bacon wrote the plays normally attributed to William Shakespeare. The main Baconian evidence is founded on the presentation of a motive for concealment. The late 19th-century interest in the Baconian theory continued the theme that Bacon had secreted encoded messages in the plays. It was also believed that Bacon not only authored the Shakespearean works but that he was a child of Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester.

The collection consists chiefly of correspondence of Annette Covington with Luther P. Eisenhart related to the "Baconian" theory of the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. A large portion of the material is in photocopy, with some annotations and corrections by the author. There are letters about Bacon's concealed cipher messages relating to the esoteric secrets of the Rosicrucians to be found in William Shakespeare's works. Covington used illustrations and diagrams to demonstrate her discoveries. Included is a copy of such a discovery which she presented "For the President of Princeton University," dated July 3, 1936. It consists of a diagram of the initials of the names of Francis Bacon's parents found in the title of his Instauratio Magna. In addition, there is a scrapbook which Covington presented to Eisenhart, containing newspaper clippings from The Madisonville Bulletin, in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is also one envelope of material sent to Princeton University Librarian Julian Boyd regarding the painting Doge by the Italian painter Tintoretto. Covington sent the material and photostats of the ciphers to Eisenhart, who was dean of the Graduate School at Princeton University, for safekeeping.

Arranged by subject.