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COLLECTION Identifier: MS Am 1817

Louisa May Alcott additional papers

Overview

Contains manuscripts of stories and correspondence of American author Louisa May Alcott.

Dates

  • Creation: 1845-1944

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.

Conditions Governing Use

Images linked to this finding aid are intended for public access and educational use. This material is owned and/or held by the Houghton Library, and is provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. Any other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires the permission of the curator.

Extent

1.5 linear feet (4 boxes)

Louisa May Alcott's papers consist of manuscripts of stories (many of which were later published in Lulu's Library or A Garland for Girls) plays, and poems; autobiographical notes and diary entries for 1852; a few notebooks including one of story ideas, "Hints for Tales"; as well as some correspondence with family, friends, and publishers. The papers of her sister, Abby May Alcott Nieriker, consist of diaries, the unpublished manuscript of An Artist's Holiday; 11 pen, ink, and watercolor drawings; a cashbook; and a few letters. There are also pen and ink drawings for Louisa's books including Little Men; and letters by Louisa's parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott.

Biographical / Historical

Alcott was an American author.

Arrangement

Organized into the following series:

  1. I. Compositions
  2. II. Letters and other papers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

67M-42. Deposited by The Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association, Concord, Massachusetts; received: 1967 November 13.

By vote of the Association on November 13, 1967 these manuscripts were placed on permanent deposit in the Houghton Library. The Association reserves the right to withdraw manuscripts from time to time for display or other special purposes.

Separated Materials

Item (59) returned to Orchard House in 1983.

Title
Alcott, Louisa May, 1832-1888. Louisa May Alcott additional papers, 1845-1944: Guide.
Author
Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hou01297

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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