Biography

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Whitman, Walt (1819-1892) Collection

Contains more than 300 volumes relating to and by Walt Whitman. The collection was founded by Whitman's earliest biographer, Dr. Richard M. Bucke. In 1896, four years after the poet's death, Bucke gave to the Library a large group of Whitman's material, much of which he had received as one of Whitman's literary executors. Included with the collection were 17 photographs and 20 manuscripts (letters and rough drafts of poems). Additions to the original gift include the collections of two other executors, gifts from several of Whitman's publishers, and another group of volumes from the biographer. (Rare Books & Manuscripts)

Biography

Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Collection

(Rare Books & Manuscripts) Consists of 1,200 books and pamphlets by, about, or printed by Benjamin Franklin, together with engravings, portraits, medals, and other materials. The collection began with a gift from Dr. Samuel Abbott Green in 1880, which consisted of 135 books and 87 portraits. Over time, Abbott's initial gift was supplemented by additions by purchased, and from various benefactors.  Today, the Benjamin Franklin Collection, classed together in the Rare Books Department under call numbers K.10 through K.30, brings together the majority of the BPL's Franklin and Franklin-related holdings. However, many additional Franklin-related items are held within other collections throughout the Rare Books Department and throughout the library. Online access: Items that have been fully electronically cataloged can be retrieved through either of the online catalogs, opens a new window via a title search for "Benjamin Franklin Collection (Boston Public Library)" An article in the April, 1956 issue of the Boston Public Library Quarterly describes the history of the collection, opens a new window. An article in the October, 1882 issue of the Bulletin of the Boston Public Library provides a preliminary list, opens a new window of items in the collection, while the January, 1883 issue provides a further list of items in the collection related to Franklin, opens a new window. (Rare Books & Manuscripts)

Lewisson, Walter Updike Collection of Washingtoniana

(Rare Books & Manuscripts) Covers the life and times of George Washington, with 6,000 items, many of which were printed before 1800. Received in October 1930 by bequest from Walter Updike Lewisson, this major collection includes books, pamphlets, broadsides, and newspapers. Among the rarer items are a dozen editions of Washington's Farewell Address printed in 1796, and about 220 of the eulogies and funeral orations delivered during the official period of mourning between December 1799 and February 1800. This last group is representative not only of contemporary American oratory, but of local printing in small towns as well as in major centers. As of 2018, much of this collection is accession, but remains uncataloged. A detailed description of the Lewisson bequest was published in More Books (Feb., 1931, p. 49-57), opens a new window. (Rare Books & Manuscripts)

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892) Collection

Contains more than 300 volumes relating to and by Walt Whitman. The collection was founded by Whitman's earliest biographer, Dr. Richard M. Bucke. In 1896, four years after the poet's death, Bucke gave to the Library a large group of Whitman's material, much of which he had received as one of Whitman's literary executors. Included with the collection were 17 photographs and 20 manuscripts (letters and rough drafts of poems). Additions to the original gift include the collections of two other executors, gifts from several of Whitman's publishers, and another group of volumes from the biographer. (Rare Books & Manuscripts)

A-Z Collections Index