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Inventory of the John Forster Papers, 1828-1894
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Title: John Forster Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1828-1894
Creator:
Forster, John
Extent: 135 pieces
Repository: The Huntington Library
San Marino, California 91108
Language:
English.
Acquired from a Sotheby Sale on December 10, 1964. Lot #180.
Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information
please go to following
URL .
In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials, researchers must obtain formal permission
from the office of the Library Director. In most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical
property rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In some instances,
the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate
curator for further information.
[Identification of item], John Forster Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
John Forster (1812-1876) was one of England's more influential writers and editors. He was born April 2, 1812 in Newcastle,
England. At the age of 15, in June 1827, he wrote a singularly clever and elaborate paper entitled A Few Thoughts in Vindication
of the Stage. Entering University College in London in 1828 as a law student, Forster became friends with such fellow students
as James Emerson Tennent and James Whiteside. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, but seldom practiced law thereafter.
Forster was an editor and a contributor to many magazines and newspapers including
The Examiner, Foreign Quarterly Review, Daily News, and the
Edinburgh Review. In 1836, the first of his five volumes of
Lives of the Statesmen of the Commonwealth was published as part of
Lardner's Cyclopaedia. This set included a biography of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford which would cause a controversy concerning authorship
after Forster's death. He also published biographies of such notables as Oliver Goldsmith (1854), Landor (1869), and the first
volume of a biography of Jonathan Swift (1876). Perhaps his most famous biography, however, was that of his friend Charles
Dickens which appeared in three volumes in 1872, 1873, and 1874.
First married to L. E. Landon, a poetess, he became estranged from his wife and on September 12, 1856, married Eliza Ann (Crosbie)
Colburn. Eliza was the daughter of Captain Robert Crosbie, R.N.,
and widow of Henry Colburn, a well-known publisher. There were no children as the result of either marriage.
John Forster died on February 2, 1876. He had been working on the first volume of
Life of Jonathan Swift at the time.
The collection deals primarily with the personal life and business dealings of both John Forster and Eliza Ann (Crosbie) Colburn
Forster. Includes mostly correspondence to both John and Eliza Forster as well as a number of manuscripts both by and about
Forster. Also included is detailed genealogical information.
Persons represented by 5 or more pieces
- 1. ALTHAUS, Julius (1883-1900) physician
- 7 autograph letters to John Forster dated 1871-1873.
HM 52443-52449
- 7 autograph letters to John Forster dated 1871-1873.
- 2. 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
- 1 manuscript dedication to John Forster from
Poems by Owen Meredith, 1894. Dated 1857.
- 3. CARLYLE, Thomas (1795-1881) essayist and historian
- 11 letters to John Forster dated 1847-1876.
HM 52464-52474
- 11 letters to John Forster dated 1847-1876.
- 4. 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
- 5 autograph letters to Eliza Ann (Crosbie) Colburn Forster dated 1869-1881.
- 5. 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
- 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.
Important and interesting items
- 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).