Overview
Letters by poet Anna Seward, mostly to Penelope Sophia Weston Pennington, often discussing literature, Samuel Johnson and Sir Walter Scott.
Dates
- Creation: 1781-1807
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Extent
.5 linear feet (1 box)Series I, Correspondence, includes 33 autograph letters by Seward, mostly to Penelope Sophia Weston Pennington, items (6-11), as well as three letters which Seward received from William Hayley, item (2). Many of the letters concern her literary career, and the literary efforts of other authors. Samuel Johnson and Sir Walter Scott are also recurring topics.
Series II, Manuscripts, consists of two poems in Seward's hand.
Biographical / Historical
Anna Seward (1742-1809) was born in Eyam, Derbyshire, and resided in Lichfield, England from age thirteen until her death. In addition to her career as a poet, she carried on a voluminous correspondence with many literary figures. Known as "The Swan of Lichfield," she had an uneasy relationship with her town's other famous literary figure, Samuel Johnson.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following series:
- I. Correspondence
- II. Manuscripts
Physical Location
b
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2003JM-58 (part). Bequest of Mary Hyde Eccles, Four Oaks Farm, Somerville, New Jersey; received: 2004.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Processed by: Rick Stattler
- Title
- Seward, Anna, 1742-1809. Anna Seward papers, 1781-1807: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou01741
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
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