Main content
William and Mary Howitt Papers
Notifications
Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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
William Howitt (1792-1879) and his wife, Mary Botham Howitt (1799-1888) were both born into Quaker families of the English Midlands, he in Derbyshire and she in Staffordshire. Both early determined to make their living by their pens. William rejected his early apprenticeship as a builder-carpenter and at first supported his family as a druggist until their joint success as writers enabled them to devote themselves entirely to writing.
They both were professional writers in every sense, writing books on a wide range of topics from their experiences and interests. Early books included volumes of ballads and other poems, works on natural history and the countryside, descriptions of ancient castles and historic mansions, "homes and haunts of the poets," etc. They were liberal, even radical, in their views of social and political matters and actively supported the causes of abolition, women's rights, temperance, and the improvement of the conditions of the lower classes. In the years between 1846 and 1848, they took over the publication People's Journal, designed to "teach and enlighten" the working classes. This soon failed, and they launched their own periodical, Howitt's Journal, which survived only one year. During its life, however, their journal published Elizabeth Gaskell's earliest stories, and they were helpful in launching her literary career.
During a period of about ten years in Heidelberg, William produced works on student and social life in Germany. Together with Mary, he wrote a book on the literature of Northern Europe. Mary wrote many books for juvenile readers and translated works from Scandinavian literature, including the first translations into English of Hans Christian Anderson. In August 1847, the Howitts resigned from the Society of Friends. They had become interested in mesmerism and spiritualism, and in 1863, William produced "The History of Spiritualism. Beginning in 1852, William Howitt had spent two years in the gold mines of Australia, a visit which resulted in several books about that country. In later years, the Howitts spent their time in the Austrian Tyrol and in Rome. William died in Rome in 1879. Mary Howitt became a Roman Catholic in 1882, and died in Rome in 1888.
The collection contains mainly personal correspondence. Some translations from Swedish are included. There are scattered references to their developing interest in spiritualism after the 1840s, and in some letters, William Howitt expresses his positions on topics such as the degradation of the working classes because of drink, the decadence of politicians, and the evils of vivisection. There are also some manuscript copies of poems and stories by both Howitts.
Ser. 1 Correspondence: Miscellaneous recipients, many unidentified. Letters are largely concerned with matters relating to writers' publications, contributions to Journals, instructions to illustrators. Also includes letters to friends and others arranging visits and other personal matters. Ser. 2. Literary Works: Poems and short prose, fragments of articles, etc. Ser. 3. Pictures
The collection was largely purchased, 1966, 1968, 1969.
Other donations from Charles F. Jenkins, before 1951; Albert A. Merritt.
Formerly cited as Howitt Manuscripts, the collection was compiled from a few gifts and then a significant number of purchases 1966-1969. A complete, detailed inventory is included with the collection, and significant individual items are fully catalogued in the FHL Manuscript card catalogue.
People
Subject
- Publisher
- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
- Finding Aid Author
- FHL staff
- Finding Aid Date
- 2006
- Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Friends Historical Library believes all of the items in this collection to be in the Public Domain in the United States, and is not aware of any restrictions on their use. However, the user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status before reproducing. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/.
Collection Inventory
Miscellaneous recipients, many unidentified.
A.L.S.
Author is writing to Miss Meteyard. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is possibly writing to Mr. Ilge. Gift of Charles F. Jenkins.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is inviting friends to dinner. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is inviting Miss DuBois and her sister to dinner. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is briefly discussing plans to visit a studio. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is inviting friends to a gathering. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is discussing the purchase of a house by the recipient of the letter. Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 10/28/71.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is discussing the possibility of her translating a written work.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from the Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S. (fragment)
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.
Author is writing about church work for part of letter. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is writing upon the death of a friend. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is writing upon the death of the recipient's brother. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is writing about an autograph collection. Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Enclosure: revised copy of verses "To the Reader."
Physical DescriptionA.L.
Author is discussing the publication of a book. Purchased from Peter Eaton, Ltd., London, 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is requesting that the recipient help gather signatures in support of a Petition introduced in parliament concerning the "property and earnings of married women." Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S. facsimile
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is writing about the publication of a book. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is submitting a literary work. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Enclosure: photograph (probably of Mary Howitt). Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is commenting on the recipient's book. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.S.
A.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is discussing literary and publication matters. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is thanking the recipient for mentioning her in his paper. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.S.
Author is submitting a literary work.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Peter Eaton, Ltd., London, 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is discussing the publication of a literary work. Purchased from Conway Barker, 11/13/1967.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is discussing book illustrations. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Gift of Charles F. Jenkins
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author is complaining about an article which quoted his work without proper citation. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Gift of Albert A. Merritt.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, July 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
A.L.S.
A.L.S. and undated fragment
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Author wants to write to another minister but does not know if he has the right name, so he is asking Rev. Binney. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical Description2 A.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical Description3 A.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, March, 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.L.S.
Poems and short prose, fragments of articles, etc.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 10/28/71.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms. (fragment)
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Ximenes, January, 1983. $25.00.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical DescriptionA.Ms.S.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.
Physical Descriptionink drawing