%eadnotat; ]> 5181howi An Inventory of the William and Mary Howitt Papers, 1827-1886 Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 2006 Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by FHL Staff, 2006 ENG An Inventory of the William and Mary Howitt Papers, 1827-1886 FHL staff Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 2006 Descriptive Summary William and Mary Howitt Papers 1827-1886 RG5/181 William Howitt, 1792-1879 1 box ; .5 linear feet Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. William Howitt (1792-1879) and his wife, Mary Botham Howitt (1799-1888), were English Quaker writers of miscellaneous poetic and narrative materials for children and adults. 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 manuscript copies of some of the poems and stories by both Howitts.

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081-1399

Phone: (610) 328-8496 FAX: (610) 690-5728

 BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE

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.

SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS

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

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Accession information

The collection was largely purchased, 1966, 1968, 1969.

Other donations from Charles F. Jenkins, before 1951; Albert A. Merritt.

 Access

Collection is open for research.

 Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

 Preferred Citation

[Indicate the cited item or series here], William and Mary Howitt Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

 Processing information

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.

 SELECTED SEARCH TERMS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings:

Quakers - England. Quaker authors. English fiction -- Quaker authors. Quaker Authors-- English. Poetry. Spiritualism. Howitt, William, 1792-1879. Howitt, Mary Botham, 1799-1888. Howitt, Mary Botham, 1799-1888. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note both the location and box numbers shown below:

 Ser.1 Correspondence

Miscellaneous recipients, many unidentified.

 Howitt, Anna Mary to Bennett, W.C. n.d. A.L.S. 1

Howitt, Anna Mary to "My dearest Silverpen" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is writing to Miss Meteyard. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to ? n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is possibly writing to Mr. Ilge. Gift of Charles F. Jenkins.

 Howitt, Mary to Barnsby, Goudwyn n.d. A.L.S. 1 Howitt, Mary to Clifford Miss n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "Dear Friend" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is inviting friends to dinner. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, M[ary] to "Dear Sir" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, M[ary] to "Dear Sir" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to DuBois, Miss n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is inviting Miss DuBois and her sister to dinner. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, M[ary?] to Dunn, Mrs. nd. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to Flower, Mrs. n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is briefly discussing plans to visit a studio. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, M[ary] to Hall, (Mrs.) n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "My dearest Eliza" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to "My dear Friend" n.d. 2mo 18 A.L.S. 1

Author is inviting friends to a gathering. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Proctor, (Mrs.) n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, M. to Shoberl, W. Esq. n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, M[ary] to Smith, Miss n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Tuke (?), -- n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing the purchase of a house by the recipient of the letter. Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 10/28/71.

 Howitt, M[ary] to Williamson, Miss n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing the possibility of her translating a written work.

 Howitt, William to (Lovett)? n.d. A.L.S. (fragment) 1

Purchased from the Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Hill, Frederick n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams n.d. A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, [Mary] to Constable, Mr. n.d. 1mo 16 A.L. 1 Howitt, Mary to "Barbara and Bessie" n.d. 2mo 4 A.L.S. 1

Author is writing about church work for part of letter. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to "My dear Friend" n.d. 2mo 7 A.L.S. 1

Author is writing upon the death of a friend. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, M[ary] to "My door dear old Silverpen" (Miss Meteyard) n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is writing upon the death of the recipient's brother. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to "Dear Madam" n.d. 2mo 22 A.L.S. 1

Author is writing about an autograph collection. Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, [Mary] to Constable, [Mr.] n.d. March A.L. 1

Enclosure: revised copy of verses "To the Reader."

 Howitt, Mary to Acton, Miss n.d. 3mo 6 A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing the publication of a book. Purchased from Peter Eaton, Ltd., London, 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "Sir" n.d. 3mo 26 A.L.S. facsimile 1

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.

 Howitt, M[ary] to "Barbara" n.d. 4mo 2 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 H[owitt], M[ary] to "Barbara" n.d. 4mo 11 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Marston, (Mrs.) n.d. 4mo 17 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.

 Howitt, Mary to "Dear Sir" n.d. 4mo 22 A.L.S. 1

Author is writing about the publication of a book. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to editor "Literary Gazette" n.d. 4mo 26 A.L.S. 1

Author is submitting a literary work. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.

 Howitt, Mary to Hall, (Mr.) n.d. 5mo 5 A.L.S. 1

Enclosure: photograph (probably of Mary Howitt). Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Cowper (?), Mrs. n.d. 5mo 15 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 H[owitt], M[ary] to [Wilson, William] n.d. 5mo 23 A.L.S. 1

Author is commenting on the recipient's book. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Potter, (Mrs.) n.d. 6mo 27 A.L.S. 1 Howitt, M[ary] to Hall, Mrs. S.C. n.d. 6mo 30 A.L.S. 1 Howitt, Mary to "My dear old Friend" n.d. 7mo 1 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, M[ary?] to "My dear old Friend" n.d. 7 mo. 14 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "My dear Friend" n.d. 12 mo 23 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Waring, (Mr.) n.d. 7 mo 17 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Lovatt, William n.d. 9mo 30) A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing literary and publication matters. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.

 Howitt, Mary to "Sir" n.d. A.L.S. 1

Author is thanking the recipient for mentioning her in his paper. Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, May to "My dear old Friend" n.d. 11mo 30 A.L.S. 1 Howitt, Mary to "Sir" n.d. 12 mo 8 A.L.S. 1

Author is submitting a literary work.

 Howitt W[illiam] to Moore, (?) 1827 3 mo 3 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Peter Eaton, Ltd., London, 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "My dear Friend" 1829 8mo 13 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to Watts, Alarie A. 1830 5mo 13 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Schoberl, F. 1832 4mo 9 A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing the publication of a literary work. Purchased from Conway Barker, 11/13/1967.

 Howitt, William to Martin, John (artist) 1833 12 mo 26 A.L.S. 1

Author is discussing book illustrations. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Dear Sir" 1834 12 mo 26 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "Sir" from Nottingham 1835 6mo 1 A.L.S. 1

Gift of Charles F. Jenkins

 Howitt, William to Britton, John 1836 10mo 23 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams, Samuel 1837 10mo 2 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams, Samuel 1837 10mo 23 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams, S[amuel] 1837 10mo 31 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams, Samuel 1837 11mo 24 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to Williams, Samuel 1837 12mo 3 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to [Longman & Co.]? 1838 1mo 25 A.L.S. 1

Author is complaining about an article which quoted his work without proper citation. Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Anna" 1840 5mo 13 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to Freiligrath, Ferdinand 1842 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, William to "Dear Sir" 1844 6mo 12 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Mary" 1844 11mo 18 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to Fowler, John 1846 1mo 22 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Dear Sir" 1846 3mo 13 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, William to Bennett, W.C. 1846 6mo 7 A.L.S. 1

Gift of Albert A. Merritt.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1846 9mo 2 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Dear Sir" 1847 2mo 24 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, July 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Bennett, W.C. 1847 5mo 13 A.L.S. 1 [Howittt, William] to "Dear Sir" 1847 5mo 31 A.L. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Fowler (?) 1847 7mo 5 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, W[illiam] to "My Dear Sir" 1847 8mo 4 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to ? 1847 12mo 19 A.L.S. 1 Howitt, William 1848 2mo 6 A.L.S. and undated fragment 1 Howitt, William to "Dear Friend" 1848 3mo 25 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Meteyard, Eliza 1848 9mo 30 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "Dear Friend" 1848 10mo 25 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1849 2mo 2 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1849 8mo 31 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1849 9mo 7 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear" (Fowler) 1850 2mo 24 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Fowler, John 1850 4mo 11 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Binney, Thomas, Rev. 1850 5mo 3 A.L.S. 1

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.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1850 11mo 15 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to "My Dear Sir" 1850 11mo 29 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to John Fowler 1850 12mo 7 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Hutchings, E. 1850 12mo 24 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to Freiligrath, Ferdinand. 1857 6mo 1 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, William to DeMorgan, (Mrs.) 1860 10mo 17 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to Cowper, (Mrs.) 1862 1mo 2 and 3mo 14 2 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, William to Hall, S.C. 1863 5mo 12 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William to Neunes, Mrs. 1863 9mo 22 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 Howitt, William to Meteyard, Miss 1868 10mo 26 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to Meteyard, Miss 1868 11mo 23 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to Potter, (Mrs.) 1869 1mo 2-5mo 30 3 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to Hall, Mr. 1873 9mo 1 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 Howitt, William to ? 1876 6mo 21 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, March, 1968.

 Howitt, Mary to "Barbara" 1886 1mo 8 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Howitt, Mary to McMichael, Thomas C. 1886 3mo 20 A.L.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

 Ser.2 Literary Works

Poems and short prose, fragments of articles, etc.

 Howitt, Mary: "The Fisher-Boy", poem n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

 Howitt, Mary: "Oh children young...", verse n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.

 Howitt, Mary: "Old Fashioned Winter," verses n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.

 Howitt, Mary: "This World and the Next", verses n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1968.

 Howitt, Mary: "Traditionary Ballads", No. III, "The Lady Magdelene, A Legend of an English Hall" n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kenneth Rendell, 10/28/71.

 [Howitt, William]: Fragment of a manuscript apparently re: Isaac Crewdson and the Beacon Controversy n.d. A.Ms. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1968.

 [Howitt, William]: Fragment re. James Naylor, consisting mainly of the quoting of Naylor's statement "There is a Spirit" n.d. A.Ms. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 [Howitt, William]: Fragment re. representation at Yearly Meeting. n.d. A.Ms. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 [Howitt, William]: Manuscript re. the Divine Will, etc. n.d. A.Ms. (fragment) 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 Howitt, William: "The Pine-tree and The Furze-Bush", short story n.d. A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, William: "A Life's Lesson", poem 1856 12mo 15 A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Howitt, Mary: Translation of Swedish verse 1862 12mo 8 A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

 Howitt, Mary: "In Christ", poem addressed to William Howitt 1863 3mo 23 A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.

 Howitt, Mary: "When life's hope shall fail thee...", poem. 1864 12mo A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Ximenes, January, 1983. $25.00.

 Howitt, Mary: "Wealth I do no crave to own", poem 1865 3mo 27 A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., Nov. 1968.

 Howitt, William: "We have long acknowledged", statement re. Negroes 1868 4mo 10 A.Ms.S. 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.

 Ser.3. Pictures The Hermitage, Highgate Rise (residence of the Howitts) 1854 ink drawing 1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., March 1968.