Manuscripts

Eliza Fall Papers

Description: Letters from Eliza Fall to William Henry Harrison, the editor, concerning the publication of her volume, Poems, under the pseudonym Mary Maynard. John Ruskin is a frequent subject of discussion in the letters along with several other leading literary figures of their day. The collection includes several manuscript versions of her poems and a translation of a poem by Johann Ludwig Uhland.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date: 1851-1856?
Call number: mssHM 42764-42816
Creator: Fall, Eliza(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Christie's, lot 188, 4/22/1959.
Associated people: Harrison, W. H. (1795?-1878,)
Find out more: View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab); View in the Online Archive of California(Opens in new tab)

Letters to William Henry Harrison

Manuscripts

44 signed handwritten letters and 1 incomplete handwritten letter to Harrison concerning her efforts to have a volume of her poetry published in the latter part of 1851. Letters after the publication in 1851 of her Poems discuss possible strategies for advertising the volume and the possible publication of some of her translations of the poetry of Johann Ludwig Uhland. In the course of the letters Eliza Fall decides on her nom de plume Mary Maynard and she insists that her real identity be kept a secret, especially from her father, who was apparently incapable of appreciating poetry. John Ruskin and his work are frequently the subject of the letters. See Ruskin's Praeterita for his opinion of Eliza Fall.

HM 42772-42816

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Manuscripts and correspondence

Manuscripts

The collection consists of 8 manuscript poems and sonnets by Eliza Fall and 45 letters (one is incomplete) from Fall to William Henry Harrison (1795?-1878) concerning her efforts to have a volume of poetry published. Fall's letters discuss her poetry, her nom de plume "Mary Maynard" and her reasons for keeping her identity secret, and John Ruskin (1819-1900) and his work.

mssHM 42764-42816

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A Christmas Carol: 3 stanza poem

Manuscripts

HM 42764

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The Island of the Dead: 5 stanza poem

Manuscripts

HM 42766

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Invocation to the Gods: 13 stanza poem

Manuscripts

HM 42765

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Notes: on allusions in her own poetry

Manuscripts

HM 42769

Eliza Fall Papers

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Letters to William Henry Harrison

Manuscripts and correspondence

A Christmas Carol: 3 stanza poem

The Island of the Dead: 5 stanza poem

Invocation to the Gods: 13 stanza poem

Notes: on allusions in her own poetry