Collection of Robert Frost Letters and Poems: Finding
Aid
Processed by Huntington Library Staff. Finding aid prepared by Diann Benti.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2017
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Collection
Title: Collection of Robert Frost Letters and Poems
Dates (inclusive): Approximately 1891-1958
Bulk dates: 1894-1916
Collection Numbers: mssHM 1201, etc.
Collection Numbers (complete list): mssHM 1201; mssHM 7237; mssHM 7638-7657; mssHM 10799; mssHM 13810; mssHM 25337-25368; mssHM 47622; mssHM 48305; mssHM 59545
Creator:
Frost, Robert, 1874-1963
Extent:
59 pieces in 1 box
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection contains 59 pieces of correspondence and poems of American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963), chiefly consisting
of handwritten poems and letters sent by Frost to Susan Hayes Ward (1835-1916),
poetry editor for
The Independent, from the mid 1890s to the 1910s.
Language: English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities.
The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the
researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Collection of Robert Frost Letters and Poems, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Received from various sources.
The bulk of the collection was purchased from P. K. Foley in 1923 (HM 1201, HM 7237, HM 7638-7657, and HM 25337-25368).
HM 13810, purchased from A.A.A. Conant Sale (Lot #25), November 1923.
HM 10799 was presumably transferred from Reference Department Files.
HM 47622 was transferred from Reference Department Files, January 1981.
HM 48305 was transferred from Manuscript Department Files, February 5, 1982.
HM 59545 was removed from
North of Boston by Robert Frost (Call number 491731)
in June 1991.
Biographical Note
Robert Lee Frost (1874-1963) was an American poet. Frost sold his first poem, "My Butterfly. An Elegy" to the
Independent, a weekly New York magazine,
where it appeared in the November 8, 1894, issue. Frost was married to Elinor (White) Frost from 1895 until her death in 1938.
Bibliography
For more information about The Huntington Library's Robert Frost Collection, see
Leslie Monsour, "Robert Frost at The Huntington,"
Huntington Frontiers (Spring/Summer 2017)
Scope and Content
This collection contains 59 pieces of correspondence and poems of American poet Robert Frost, chiefly consisting of handwritten
poems and letters sent by Frost to Susan Hayes Ward (1835-1916),
poetry editor for
The Independent, from the mid 1890s to the 1910s.
Items consist of:
- Thirty letters from Robert Frost to Susan Hayes Ward (HM 7656, HM 25338-25366)
- Eighteen loose poems signed by Robert Frost (HM 7638-7646, HM 7648-7655, HM 7657)
- Two poems whose authorship was repudiated by Frost; apparently in the hand of Elinor M. Frost (HM 1201, HM 7647)
- A collection of 17 handwritten poems presented by Frost to Ward for Christmas 1911 (HM 7237)
- A letter from Robert Frost to William Hayes Ward, the editor of
The Independent (HM 25337)
- Two letters from Elinor Frost to Susan Hayes Ward (HM 25367-25368)
- Three letters from Frost to Huntington Library staff authorizing access to his papers (HM 10799, HM 47622, HM 48305)
- Two letters from Frost related to autographs (HM 13810, HM 59545)
Arrangement
Arranged in one box in call number order.
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Frost, Robert, 1874-1963 -- Archives.
Frost, Elinor, 1873-1938 -- Archives.
Poets, American -- 20th century -- Archives.
Forms/Genres
Letters (correspondence) -- United States.
Manuscripts -- United States.
Poems -- United States.
Alternate Authors
Frost, Elinor, 1873-1938.
Haselden, R. B. (Reginald Berti), 1881-1952, addressee.
Ward, William Hayes, 1835-1916, addressee.
Ward, Susan Hayes, 1838-1924, addressee.
Box 1
Correspondence and manuscripts
HM 1201
[Frost, Robert Lee?] [Poem in 3 stanzas of 4 lines each, beginning:] "I had a love once …"
[After 1895]
1 leaf, 6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in. Manuscript (apparently in the handwriting of Elinor M. Frost).
HM 7237
Frost, Robert. [Collection of poems presented to Susan Hayes Ward at Christmas, 1911].
1911 December 25
24 leaves (22 written pages including note of presentation), 4 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. Autograph manuscript signed.
Contents:
- My Giving
- Reluctance
- To a Moth Seen in Winter
- Unchastened
- On the Sale of My Farm
- Wind and Window-Flower
- Pussy-Willow Time
- Pursuit of the Word
- Death
- Tutelary Elves
- The Rain Bath
- To the Loud Southwester
- The Little Things of War
- Determent
- Pan Desponds
- New Grief
- Winter Winds
HM 7638
Frost, Robert. The Blue Bird to Lesley : [a poem in 41 lines].
[Approximately 1903]
2 leaves, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7639
Frost, Robert Lee. Clear and Colder. Boston Common : [poem in 4 stanzas of 8 lines each]
[Approximately 1891]
2 leaves, 6 3/8 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7640
Frost, Robert Lee. Despair : [a sonnet].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7641
Frost, Robert Lee. The Flower Boat : [a poem in 3 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[Approximately 1894]
1 leaf, 8 x 5 in. Manuscript (holograph signed; in pencil.
HM 7642
Frost, Robert Lee. Genealogical : [a poem in 64 lines and] A Riddle. - Who is Intended : [poem in 3 lines].
[Approximately 1911]
4 leaves, 5 x 6 1/2 in. Manuscript (holograph). Was enclosed in 1911 December 19 letter from Robert Frost to Susan Hayes Ward.
HM 7643
Frost, Robert Lee. Love Being All One : [a poem in 3 stanzas of 5 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7644
Frost, Robert Lee. Midsummer birds : [a poem in 3 stanzas of 5 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7645
Frost, Robert Lee. The Mill City : [a sonnet].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7646
Frost, Robert Lee. Nature's Neglect : [a poem in 5 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[Approximately 1901]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7647
Frost, Robert Lee. Sea Dream : [a poem in 3 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[After 1895]
1 leaf, 9 x 6 7/8 in. Manuscript (apparently in the handwriting of Elinor M. Frost).
HM 7648
Frost, Robert Lee. What Thing a Bird Would Love : [a poem in 6 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf 6 5/8 x 5 1/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7649
Frost, Robert Lee. When the Speed Comes : [a sonnet].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7650
Frost, Robert Lee. A Winter's Night : [a poem in 2 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7651
Frost, Robert Lee. A Wish : [a poem in 14 lines].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7652
Frost, Robert Lee. My Butterfly. An Elegy : [in 51 lines].
[Approximately 1892]
3 leaves, 8 x 5 in. Manuscript (holograph).
HM 7653
Frost, Robert Lee. A Summer's Garden : [ a poem in 5 stanzas of 4 lines each].
[Approximately 1896]
2 leaves, 7 7/8 x 5 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7654
Frost, Robert Lee. [In a Vale : poem (last 3 stanzas only, of 5 lines each)].
[Approximately 1905]
1 leaf, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7655
Frost, Robert Lee. The Trial by Existance [sic] : [a poem in 9 stanzas of 8 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
5 leaves, 6 5/8 x 5 1/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 7656
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1907 August 6.
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
Includes two poems: Choice of Society (page 2) and A Dream Pang (page 4).
HM 7657
Frost, Robert Lee. The Black Cottage : [a poem in 5 stanzas of 8 lines each].
[Approximately 1905]
2 leaves, 6 1/2 x 4 7/8 in. Manuscript (holograph signed).
HM 10799
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Reginald Berti Haselden.
1929 February 20
3 pages. Autograph letter signed.
Relative to Frost's poems in the Huntington Library.
HM 13810
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to unidentified recipient.
[Approximately 1920]
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
In response to a request to autograph books; name of addressee is erased.
HM 25337
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to [William Hayes Ward]. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
[1894] March 28
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25338
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1894 April 22
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25339
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1894 June 10
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25340
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Boston, Massachusetts.
1894 August 22
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25341
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1894 December 4
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25342
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1894 December 28
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25343
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1895 January 6
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25344
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1895 January 30
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25345
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1896 January 25
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25346
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1896 July 8
3 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25347
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1896 August 15
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25348
[Frost, Robert Lee.] Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Lawrence, Massachusetts.
1896 December 27
2 pages. Autograph letter signed and subscr. By Elinor M. Frost.
HM 25349
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1901 January 15
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25350
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to William Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1906 February 24
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25351
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1906 July 17
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25352
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1906 October 29
3 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25353
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1906 December 26
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25354
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1907 January 12
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25355
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Bethlehem, New Hampshire.
1907 September 8
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25356
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. West Derry, New Hampshire.
1907 November 4
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25357
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to [Susan Hayes Ward].
[Approximately 1907].
1 page. Autograph letter signed (incomplete).
HM 25358
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to [Susan Hayes Ward].
[1911?]
1 page. Autograph letter signed (incomplete).
HM 25359
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Plymouth, New Hampshire.
1911 December 19
3 pages. Autograph letter signed (incomplete).
HM 25360
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Plymouth, New Hampshire.
1911 December 28
2 pages. Autograph letter signed (incomplete).
HM 25361
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Plymouth, New Hampshire.
1912 January 15
2 pages. Autograph letter signed (incomplete).
Poem on page 2: In White : [a draft? Of "Design"].
HM 25362
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Plymouth, New Hampshire.
1912 February 10
3 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25363
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Buckingham, England.
1912 September 15
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25364
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Buckingham, England.
1913 May 13
3 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25365
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Franconia, New Hampshire.
1915 June 8
2 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 25366
Frost, Robert Lee. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Franconia, New Hampshire.
1916 October 15
3 pages. Autograph letter signed. With envelope.
HM 25367
Frost, Elinor M. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Franconia, New Hampshire.
1915 December 21
3 pages. Autograph letter signed. With envelope.
HM 25368
Frost, Elinor M. Letter to Susan Hayes Ward. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
[1922] January 22
4 pages. Autograph letter signed.
HM 47622
Frost Robert Lee. Letter to [Reginald Berti Haselden]. [Amherst, Massachusetts].
1937 November 26
1 page. Autograph letter signed.
Request to allow Professor R.S. Newdick to examine manuscripts.
HM 48305
Frost Robert Lee. Letter to Herbert C. Schulz.
1958 November 14
1 page. Typewritten letter signed.
Authorization for Elizabeth Sergeant to access letters.
HM 59545
Frost Robert Lee. Letter to [Mr. Beggen?]. South Shaftsbury, Vermont.
1928 April 9
1 page. Autograph letter signed. With envelope.
Brief response related to autograph request.
This letter was removed from
North of Boston (Call number 491731)
Addressee name presumably is misspelling for Katherine Larned Boggess. Also includes photocopy of envelope and bookplate that
could not be removed from book.