Finding aid for the Ambrose Bierce correspondence collection 0342
Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
2014 March
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Title: Ambrose Bierce correspondence collection
Collection number: 0342
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear feet
1 box
Date: 1893-1913, undated
Abstract: Letters from Ambrose Bierce to a variety of correspondents, including Samuel Loveman, B.J.S. Cahill, and Burnette G. Haskell.
The collection also includes copies of some of Bierce's contracts with Neale Publishing, and pamphlets advertising his "Collected
Works."
creator:
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.
[Box/folder# or item name], Ambrose Bierce correspondence collection, Collection no. 0342, Special Collections, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California
See also Willard Morse collection on Ambrose Bierce, Collection no. 0136.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Letters from Ambrose Bierce to a variety of correspondents, including Samuel Loveman, B.J.S. Cahill, and Burnette G. Haskell
(and one letter from Haskell). The collection also includes copies of some of Bierce's contracts with Neale Publishing, and
pamphlets advertising his "Collected Works." Of particular note is Bierce's last letter to Samuel Loveman, in which he indicates
he is off to South America and does not know when he will return.
Ambrose Bierce was an American writer, poet, editor, journalist, and satirist. Born in Ohio in 1842, Bierce enlisted in the
Union Army and fought at, among others, the Battle of Shiloh. His experiences formed the basis for several stories and his
memoir, "What I saw of Shiloh." After the war, he settled in San Francisco and earned a reputation as a contributor and/or
editor for a number of local newspapers and periodicals. He spent the years 1872-1875 in England where his first book was
published. Upon his return, he traveled throughout the West and worked for a mining company, but when the company failed,
he returned to journalism in San Francisco, working for William Randolph Hearst's San Francisco Examiner. Bierce was a biting
social critic, and much of his journalistic career was steeped in controversy, but he was also well known for his encouragement
of younger writers, such as the poet George Sterling (who is often referred to in the letters in this collection). At the
age of 71, Bierce left for South America and disappeared without a trace. His disappearance has become one of the most famous
in literary history.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914? -- Archives
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914? -- Correspondence
Cahill, Bernard J.S., (Bernard Joseph Stanislaus), 1867- -- Archives
Haskell, Burnette G., 1857-1907 -- Correspondence
Loveman, Samuel, 1887-1976 -- Archives
American poetry--20th century--Archival resources
Contracts
Correspondence
Pamphlets
Poets, American--20th century--Archival resources
Box 1, Folder 1
BJ.S. Cahill 1908, 1912, 1913
Letters from Bierce to Cahill, discussing publication of Bierce's "Ashes of the Beacon" (August 8, 1908); publication of his
"Collected Works" (September 12, 1908); obtaining Cahill's address from one of Cahill's articles and his opinion of Cahill's
Butterfly Map (December 12, 1912); mentions the Civic Center (January 20, 1913). These letters were published in "The Letters
of Ambrose Bierce" by Bertha Clark Pope.
Box 1, Folder 2
Box 1, Folder 3
Burnette G. Haskell 1893, 1894
Letter from Haskell to Bierce extending an open invitation to visit (May 27, 1893). Letters from Bierce indicating poor health
(June 1, 1893); asking about publication of Haskell's account of the Kaweah Colony (October 10, 1894); explanation of his
description of Haskell as "a mischevious man" (October 21, 1894).
Box 1, Folder 4
Box 1, Folder 5
Samuel Loveman 1908
Return of verses mistakenly sent to Bierce, apologizing for no connection with "The Cosmopolitan", and complimenting Loveman
on the excellence of the verses (October 17, 1908); thanking Loveman for the privilege of reading his poems, which, while
good, were not equal to his other work, and requesting a copy of "Pierrot" for submission to "The Cosmopolitan" (November
20, 1908); offer to publish "Pierrot" in his own magazine and an explanation of his edits (December 6, 1908).
Box 1, Folder 6
Samuel Loveman 1909
Mentions that his poem is in print, indicates that he prefers Loveman's rhyme to his blank verse (May 13, 1909); indicates
that he could help Loveman find a publisher for any translation of Heine's poetry he might undertake, "Pierrot" was not well
received at "Everybody's" magazine and he includes the editor's comments, he will send it to the "Atlantic" (June 18, 1909);
the "Atlantic" has rejected "Pierrot" and he plans to send it to "Harper's", he will keep all the notes of rejection for his
own literary purposes and will eventually send them to Loveman, as indication of what literary poetry is not, mentions his
work on his "Collected Works" (July 27, 1909); references an included note from Mr. Alden that "Pierrot is poetry" and asks
him for the note back for the record of "Pierrot vs The Magazines", likes Loveman's plan for translating Heine, asks him to
visit on his way to Europe (August 5, 1909); thanks him for a photograph, has no more rejections of "Pierrot" (September 2,
1909); thanks Loveman for a magazine with his poem, sends him the latest "rejection" of "Pierrot", one of dozens but includes
a remark from Markham about its worth, mentions his poor health (November 2, 1909); thanks him for his inquiry into his health,
mentions he will go to California after he finished the last volume of the "Collected Works", asks if he's still "minded Europeward"
(December 21, 1909).
Box 1, Folder 7
Samuel Loveman 1910
Apologizes for neglecting correspondence, will be off to California when he's done, encloses a copy of Ezra Pound's "Ballad
of the Goodly Fere" (March 7, 1910); thanks him for a copy of "The Younger Choir", doesn't know when he will return from California,
went to Yosemite with Sterling, mentions a published version of "Pierrot" (July 22, 1910); remarks on Loveman's attitude and
his intention of visiting California, describes his visit with Sterling, expects he will settle in Carmel with the "high-brows",
says he is just "loafing" (September 13, 1910); recommends he travel to California via the Santa Fe route and stop at the
Grand Canyon, mentions that Pound's poem was submitted to him in manuscript form (November 27, 1910).
Box 1, Folder 8
Samuel Loveman 1911
Is sorry that Loveman did not go to California, recommends Sterling's latest book, hopes his letter to the NY Times Review
will "enlighten the darkness of that sheet" (May 28, 1911); notes time spent with Sterling in Sag Harbor, saw Loveman's tribute
to Sterling and is glad the "literary folk" are taking him seriously, discusses the preface to Loveman's book (September 18,
1911); apologizes for not responding due to illness, is awaiting impatiently Loveman's book which is not copyrighted, is tired
of working on his "Collected Works" (November 21, 1911).
Box 1, Folder 9
Samuel Loveman 1912
Wishes Loveman happiness and prosperity in the New Year, mentions that Loveman's poems have given him great pleasure, invites
Loveman to go to Yosemite with him and Sterling in June (January 5, 1912); saw Sterling in California but doesn't think he
will go back again, discusses his philosophy of living and writing (November 26, 1912).
Box 1, Folder 10
Box 1, Folder 11
Box 1, Folder 13
Box 1, Folder 14
Agreements with Neale Publishing Company 1902-1908
Box 1, Folder 15
[Pamphlets for Bierce's "The Collected Works] undated