Eliza Fall Papers: Finding Aid mssHM 42764-42816
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Note
Last updated by Brooke M. Black in January 2024.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Eliza Fall Papers
Creator:
Fall, Eliza.
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 42764-42816
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(2 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1851-1856?
Abstract: This collection consists of 8 manuscript poems and sonnets by English poet Eliza Fall (1821–1881) and 45 letters 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.
Language of Material: English.
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Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Eliza Fall Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Purchased from Christie's, lot 188, April 22, 1959.
Biographical Note
Eliza Fall (1821-1881) published a book of poems in 1851 under the nom de plume Mary Maynard, concealing the fact of her authorship
from all but a few. Her brother, Richard Whiteman Fall, was the childhood friend of John Ruskin who read Eliza Fall's
Poems and urged her to publish them. He recommended William Henry Harrison, his editor, and it was Harrison who helped to get a
publisher for her.
Scope and Content
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.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following order: Manuscripts, Correspondence.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Poets, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence.
Letters (correspondence) -- Great Britain -- 19th century.
Manuscripts -- Great Britain -- 19th century.
Harrison, W. H. (William Henry), 1795?-1878, correspondent.
Maynard, Mary, 1821-1881.
Ruskin, John, 1819-1900.
Box Main file 100, Folder 12-13
Manuscripts and correspondence
A Christmas Carol: 3 stanza poem HM 42764
Invocation to the Gods: 13 stanza poem HM 42765
The Island of the Dead: 5 stanza poem HM 42766
Kind Nature, how are all thy ways with me...: sonnet HM 42767
Mary Magdalen: sonnet HM 42768
Notes: on allusions in her own poetry HM 42769
O gentle maidens that with snowy hands...: sonnet HM 42770
To - with Autumnal Violets: sonnet HM 42771
Letters to William Henry Harrison HM 42772-42816
Scope and Contents
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.
