Manuscripts
The collection consists of correspondence and literary manuscripts by English authors and friends of both John Forster and his second wife, Eliza Ann Crosbie Colburn Forster. The literary manuscripts include essays, poems, and diary and text extracts both by and about John Forster. The correspondence deals with the personal life and business dealings of Forster. There is also detailed genealogical information in the collection. Correspondents include: Julius Althaus, Robert Barrett Browning, Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, Thomas Carlyle, Sir John Duke Coleridge, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Fanny Crosbie, Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disraeli, Whitwell Elwin, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Eliza Lynn Linton, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Bryan Waller Procter, Henry E. Rawlins, Sir James Emerson Tennent, and James Whiteside. Persons represented by 5 or more pieces:
Althaus, Julius (1883-1900) physician. 7 autograph letters to John Forster dated 1871-1873. HM 52443-52449
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward Robert, 1st Earl Lytton (1831-1891) statesman and poet. 1 manuscript dedication to John Forster from Poems by Owen Meredith, 1894. Dated 1857. HM 52455 6 autograph letters to Eliza Ann (Crosbie) Colburn Forster dated 1860-1880. HM 52456-52461
Carlyle, Thomas (1795-1881) essayist and historian. 11 letters to John Forster dated 1847-1876. HM 52464-52474
Cooper, Anthony Ashley, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885) philanthropist. 5 autograph letters to Eliza Ann (Crosbie) Colburn Forster dated 1869-1881. HM 52477-52481
Rawlins, Henry E. personal friend and employee. 2 manuscripts, one compilation of extracts of letters of condolence to Mrs. Forster on the occasion of John Forster's death, and one memoir of John Forster. HM 52545-52546 5 autograph letters to Whitwell Elwin (Forster's biographer) dated 1876-1880. HM 52547-52551
Some notable items include:
Crosbie, Fanny. To Whitwell Elwin, 1893, Apr. 22. Letter covers the controversy over authorship of Life of Strafford between John Forster and Robert Browning following Forster's death. HM 52487
Elwin, Whitwell. To Eliza Ann (Crosbie) Colburn Forster, 1879. Discusses the controversy concerning authorship of Life of Strafford between John Forster and Robert Browning following Forster's death. HM 52496
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward Robert, 1st Earl Lytton. Dedication to John Forster, dated 1857. Printed poems with autograph corrections in the hand of John Forster. HM 52455
Forster, John. A Few Thoughts in Vindication of the Stage, June, 1827. A contemporary copy of the first elaborate paper written by John Forster. Written at the age of 15 (see biographical note). HM 52506
Whiteside, James. Journal: extract. Recounts the death of John Forster form the point of view of an old friend. HM 52568
Mostly letters. Primarily autograph, but with many contemporary copies. Also includes 10 manuscripts, and a large amount of genealogical material. Papers in good condition (three requiring repair).
