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COLLECTION Identifier: MS Eng 1769

Ernest Lewis Gay notes on John Gay

Overview

Notes assembled by American librarian and collector Ernest Lewis Gay on British playwright and poet, John Gay.

Dates

  • Creation: 1908-1916 and undated

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on physical access to this material. Collection is open for research.

Extent

1.5 linear feet (17 volumes)

Ernest Lewis Gay's autograph manuscript notes on all aspects of the British poet and playwright, John Gay. Includes lists of holdings in Ernest Lewis Gay's collection, as well holdings in other libraries. Also includes clippings relating to John Gay and a few letters to Ernest Lewis Gay.

Biographical / Historical

Ernest Lewis Gay (1874-1916) was a librarian of the University Club and a book collector of Boston, Massachusetts. He collected materials especially concerning the English poet and playwright, John Gay (1685-1732). He received an AB from Harvard College in 1897. His brother, Frederick Lewis Gay (1857-1916), was also a collector, and attended Harvard College with the class of 1878.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Physical Location

f, MS

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of George Henry Gay; received: 1927 June 15. Recataloged from: 15461.10*- 15461.23*.

Volumes all include a bookplate with text: "Harvard College Library. From the collection of the writings of the poet John Gay 1685-1732. Made by Ernest Lewis Gay of the Class of 1897. Given to the library in fulfillment of his desires by his nephew George Henry Gay, June, 1927."

Related Materials

See also HOLLIS and OASIS for additional material held by the Houghton Library relating to the Ernest Lewis Gay collection on John Gay, and other Ernest Lewis Gay papers.

Processing Information

Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt

Title
Gay, Ernest Lewis, 1874-1916. Ernest Lewis Gay notes on John Gay, 1908-1916: Guide.
Author
Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hou02512

Repository Details

Part of the Houghton Library Repository

Houghton Library is Harvard College's principal repository for rare books and manuscripts, archives, and more. Houghton Library's collections represent the scope of human experience from ancient Egypt to twenty-first century Cambridge. With strengths primarily in North American and European history, literature, and culture, collections range in media from printed books and handwritten manuscripts to maps, drawings and paintings, prints, posters, photographs, film and audio recordings, and digital media, as well as costumes, theater props, and a wide range of other objects. Houghton Library has historically focused on collecting the written record of European and Eurocentric North American culture, yet it holds a large and diverse number of primary sources valuable for research on the languages, culture and history of indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Houghton Library’s Reading Room is free and open to all who wish to use the library’s collections.

Contact:
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