Jesse Shepard Papers, 1868-1959

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Summary

Creators:
Grierson, Francis, 1848-1927
Abstract:
The collection contains materials related to the musical and literary activities of Jesse Shepard, who wrote under the pen name Francis Grierson, and his long-time friend and assistant Waldemar Tonner.
Extent:
1.5 Linear feet (3 boxes)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English, French, and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Jesse Shepard Papers, MS 55, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes writings, correspondence, and articles by and about Jesse Shepard’s literary and musical activities. Shepard’s unpublished autobiography and the 1966 edition of The Valley of Shadows are included in the collection as well as articles and poems written by Shepard. Correspondence regarding Shepard’s literary projects, including a poetry anthology, is included in the collection, as well as a large amount of correspondence from prominent writers and intellectuals of his day, such as Sully Prudhomme and Mary Austin. In addition to correspondence, the collection holds copies of photographs and calling cards sent to Shepard, often with notes and/or signatures, as souvenirs from admirers and friends.

Materials related to Waldemar Tonner, Shepard's assistant, include biographical and employment information, including letters of recommendation. Of particular interest are Tonner’s passport issued in England by Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, and a letter of recommendation for Tonner from Herbert Hoover.

The collection also includes research materials from Harold Simonson, for his biography on Shepard, Villa Montezuma Curator Clare Crane’s research on the Villa, previously owned by Shepard, and correspondence of Leetha Journey Probst Hofeller, a writer and friend of Shepard.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Henry Jesse Francis Shepard (1848-1927) was a musician, author, lecturer, spiritualist, and self-proclaimed seer. While living in London in 1896, Jesse Shepard took the pen name Francis Grierson (Grierson being his mother’s maiden name), to which many of his works are credited. Shepard was born in Birkenhead, England on September 18, 1848. When he was six month old his parents immigrated to America and in 1849 settled in Sangamon County, Illinois. In 1858, while living in Alton, Illinois, Shepard was present at the last of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. From 1859 to 1862 he lived in St. Louis and served as a page for General John C. Fremont. While living in Niagara Falls with his family in 1863, Shepard had the opportunity to play the piano and discovered his musical talents. Prior to 1887, Shepard traveled extensively performing throughout the United States and Europe at the patronage of his admirers who were often prominent writers, artists, intellectuals and politicians. Shepard received notoriety as a master of piano improvisation performing at famous salons and for European royalty. While in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1871 Shepard received instruction in holding séances furthering his interest in mysticism and Spiritualism.

In 1887, Shepard and his close friend and personal assistant Waldemar Tonner moved to San Diego and, with the financial support of William and John High, built a Queen Anne style mansion they named Villa Montezuma. While living at Villa Montezuma, Shepard hosted many of his own salons entertaining prominent guests and fellow Spiritualists with his musical talents.

Shepard left San Diego for Europe in 1890 to focus on his writing. While living in London, he wrote poetry and eight books including "Modern Mysticism" (1899), "The Celtic Temperament" (1901), "Parisian Portraits" (1910), "The Humor of the Underman" (1911), "The Invincible Alliance" (1913) and his most famous work, "The Valley of Shadows" (1909). Shepard contributed poems, articles, and essays to various publications during this time. In addition to Francis Grierson, Shepard also used the pen name Judah P. Benjamin at least once for the publication of his poetry.

In 1919, Shepard lectured on Theosophy in Toronto. In 1920 Shepard settled in Los Angeles where he lived with Waldemar Tonner for the remainder of his life. On May 29, 1927 at the age of 79, he died while giving a piano recital at his home.

Much research has been done on Shepard. Harold Simonson conducted research at the Illinois State Historical Society and Library for his biography of Jesse Shepard titled, "Francis Grierson" (1966). Other research on Shepard’s life was undertaken by Clare Crane during the restoration of Villa Montezuma in the 1970s.

Acquisition information:
Accession numbers 730702 and 730816.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Alison Hennessey on January 23, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into three series:

Series I: Jesse Shepard/Francis Grierson Papers

Series II: Waldemar Tonner Papers

Series III: Research

Items within each series are arranged by subject.

Physical / technical requirements:

“Anecdotes and Episodes: An Autobiography” is very fragile and access is restricted to copy of original only. (January 23, 2012)

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Improvisation (Music)
Literature
Mysticism
Piano
Poetry
Spiritualism
Theosophy
Writing
Names:
Abemelik, Princess
Ahna, Pauline de
Alden, Ada
Austin, Mary Hunter, 1868-1934
Bazalgette, Leon, 1873-1928
Begas, Mrs.
Behymer, L. E.
Bell, Edward Price, 1869-1943
Berkow, Karl
Biedma, Patrocinio
Bleichroeder, Harriet
Bonaparte, Marie, Princess, 1882-1962
Bonaparte, Roland, prince, 1858-1924
Bornier, Henri de, vicomte, 1825-1901
Bourget, Paul, 1852-1935
Bragdon, Claude Fayette, 1866-1946
Broglie, Duc de
Calcar, Elise van, 1822-1904
David, Samuel
Dawson, Miles
Delaporte, V. (Victor), 1846-1910
Diane, comtesse, 1829-1899
Dunbar, William
Dyck, Ernest van
Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911
Grierson, Francis, 1848-1927
Herron, George
Holmes, Augusta Mary Anne, 1847-1903
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Howe, Edith
James, William, 1842-1910
La Follette, Fola, 1882-1970
La Roche-Guyon , Duc de
La Rochefoucauld, Antoine de, Comte
La Rouche-Guyon, Douairiere de, duchess
Lavedan, Henri, 1859-1940
Lindsey, Ben B. (Ben Barr), 1869-1943
Loyson, Hyacinthe, 1827-1912
Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron, 1803-1873
MacKenzie, Cathinka, Madame
Macleod, Fiona, 1855-1905
Maeterlinck, Maurice, 1862-1949
Mailhac, Pauline
Mallarme, Stephane, 1842-1898
Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940
Mason, J. W. T.
Meschi, Edward
Miranda, Comtesse
Mistral, Fredric
Nilsen, Laurvik
Nilsson, Christine, 1843-1921
O'Shaughnessy, Edith, 1870-1939
Petrie, Ronald
Picard, Elise
Pius X, Pope, 1835-1914
Roberts, 1892-1976
Roux, Joseph
Scheffauer, Ethel Talbot
Scheffauer, Herman George, 1878-1927
Schure, 1841-1929
Sharp, William, 1855-1905
Shepard, Letitia
Simon, Jules, 1814-1896
Simonson, Harold Peter, 1926-
Sinclair, May
Spencer, Lilian White, 1876-1953
Sterling, 1869-1926
Suin, Diane Marie de
Sully Prudhomme, 1839-1907
Thackara , 1859-1915
Theuriet, Andre, 1833-1907
Thomas, Edith Matilda, 1854-1925
Tonner, Lauritz Waldemar
Van Noppen, Leonard Charles, 1868-1935
Vannutelli, Vincenzo, 1836-1930
Verlaine, Paul, 1844-1896
Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
Walter, Clark, 1846-1924
Waterman, Robert
Watterson, Henry, 1840-1921
Wendelstadt, La Baronne de
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Wiszniewska, Princess
Wiszniewska, Prince
Wolsley, Lord
Places:
Illinois
London (England)
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Paris (France)
San Diego (Calif.)
Sangamon County (Ill.)
Villa Montezuma (San Diego, Calif.)

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Access to “Anecdotes and Episodes: An Autobiography” is restricted to copy of original. Original photographs separated to the SDHC Photograph Collection are accessible by copy negatives.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply. All materials identified as copies from the Illinois State Historical Library are restricted to research use only with no further reproductions permitted.

Preferred citation:

Jesse Shepard Papers, MS 55, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website