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Ina Coolbrith letters, 1873-1920.
MANUSCRIPTSMCII : Box 2 : Folder 5
Collection Overview

Title:

Ina Coolbrith letters, 1873-1920
Coolbrith letters

Creator/Contributor:

Coolbrith, Ina D. (Ina Donna), 1842?-1928, creator

Creator/Contributor:

Mighels, Ella Sterling, 1853-1934

Creator/Contributor:

Gillis, J. L. (James Louis), 1857-1917

Abstract:

Correspondence (19 letters, 4 cards, and 3 envelopes) written by Ina Coolbrith to several people on a variety of topics.

Date:

1873 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca
Poets -- California -- Correspondence

Note:

All but two items in collection transferred from Ina Coolbrith Bio Info File in July 2008.
Ina Coolbrith was born as Josephine Donna Smith (niece of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith), in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841or 1842 (accounts differ). Following her father's death, which roughly coincided with the Mormons' expulsion from Illinois, Josephine's mother took her to St. Louis and married William Pickett. In 1850 the family traveled overland to California; in the process Josephine may have been the first white child to enter the new state. Settling in Los Angeles, Josephine began writing poetry and, after a short marriage, moved to the San Francisco area. There, to avoid identification with Mormonism, Josephine shortened her first name to Ina, and took her mother's maiden name. Ina became associate editor of the Overland Monthly, wrote more poetry, and became acquainted with many of the leading literary figures of the day, including Bret Harte, Joaquin Miller, and Charles Warren Stoddard. In later years she mentored Jack London and George Sterling. Coolbrith also worked as a librarian in Oakland for many years, and in 1915 was named the first Poet Laureate of California. Ina Coolbrith died on February 29, 1928.
Coolbrith letters.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

Physical Description:

print
26 items in file folder; 11 7/8 x 9 1/2 in.

Language:

English

Identifier:

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.