Title:

Coolbrith-Lummis papers

Coolbrith-Lummis

Creator/Contributor:

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

Creator/Contributor:

Lummis, Keith, 1904-

Creator/Contributor:

Lummis, Lilith.

Correspondence to Mrs. C. E. Graham from Lummis' son and granddaughter, both of which mention gifts to Mrs. Graham of Lummis' personal items, among them a photocopy of Ina Coolbrith's entry in Lummis' housebook in which she recounts her first meeting with John Greenleaf Whittier. The last named item is included in this collection; the others named are not.

Date:

1971 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca

Lummis, Charles Fletcher -- 1859-1928

Correspondence

Ina Coolbrith was born Josephine Donna Smith (niece of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith), in Nauvoo, Illinois on March 10, 1841. Her father died of pneumonia five months later, and after her uncle's murder, which coincided with the Mormons' expulsion from Illinois, Josephine's mother took her to St. Louis and married William Pickett. In 1851 the family traveled overland to California; in the process Josephine entered the new state on horseback with famed scout Jim Beckwourth. Settling in Los Angeles, Josephine began writing poetry and, after a short marriage, moved to the San Francisco area. There, she 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 head librarian in Oakland for many years, and in 1915 was named the first Poet Laureate of California. Ina Coolbrith died on February 29, 1928.

Charles Fletcher Lummis was born March 1, 1859 in Lynn Massachusetts. Homeschooled by his father, Lummis began writing poetry during an unfinished stint at Harvard University. In 1884 he traveled on foot from Cincinnati to a new job at the Los Angeles Times. Suffering a stroke after a few years on the job, Lummis settled in New Mexico and became an advocate for Native American rights, writing on that subject and about the Southwest in general. After ten months in Peru, Lummis became editor of "Land of Sunshine," renamed "Out West" in 1901. He also took the position of Los Angeles City Librarian. Lummis died in Los Angeles on November 24, 1928. He wrote several books, and was associated with many prominent literary figures of his time.

Coolbrith-Lummis.

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

print

1 file folder; 14 3/4 x 9 1/2 in.

English

Origin:

California

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.