Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Additional collection guides
Descriptive Summary
Title: Edwin Markham Papers
Dates: 1878-1945
Collection Number: 1991-135
Creator/Collector:
Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940
Hampton, Vernon Boyce, 1897-
Extent: .5 linear feet
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Personal papers of the American poet Edwin Markham, collected by Dr. Vernon B. Hampton of Staten Island, N.Y. Of note are
original manuscripts, early teaching and school administration records, one pocket diary (1902), and a letter from Jack London
(1901).
Language of Material: English
Access
The papers are available to researchers by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives.
Publication Rights
Contact the Curator of Library & Archives for information about reproduction and publication.
Preferred Citation
Edwin Markham Papers. History San Jose Research Library
Acquisition Information
The papers were purchased by the San Jose Historical Museum in 1991 from the American Dust Company of Staten Island, N.Y.,
who acquired the materials from Dr. Vernon B. Hampton.
Biography/Administrative History
American poet Edwin Markham moved from California to Staten Island, New York, circa 1901, where he lived until his death in
1940. Staten Island local historian Dr. Vernon B. Hampton was apparently his literary executor, friend, and colleague, and
presumably acquired these papers from Markham.
Scope and Content of Collection
The small collection of papers includes original manuscripts, as well as signed broadsheets and tear sheets, and sheet music
both published and unpublished, some given to Markham by the composers. Of note is an original letter from Jack London to
Markham composed in 1901, apologizing for a recent review of Markham's work. Approximately half of the papers document Markham's
early career as a teacher and school administrator in California. His pocket diary from 1902 documents his meetings with publishers,
poetry readings, and other activities.
Indexing Terms
Poets, American
Educators
London, Jack, 1876-1916
El Dorado County (Calif.)
Alameda County (Calif.)
Staten Island (N.Y.)
sheet music
journals (accounts)
photographic prints
manuscripts (documents)
letters (correspondence)
certificates
administrative reports
broadsheet (format)
clippings (information artifacts)
Additional collection guides