Works in the Collection      Manuscript Materials      Biographies

George William Curtis was born in Providence, Rhode Island. At 18, he left for Massachusetts to join the Brook Farm Association. While in Massachusetts, Curtis interacted with such notable figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Starting in 1846, Curtis travelled for a while in Europe and the Middle East. His Nile Notes of a Howadji and other books draw on these voyages. Back in the United States, Curtis wrote popular novels and literary essays for various magazines. Curtis also began to take an interest in public affairs, and his writings and lectures began to reflect his views. An outspoken abolitionist, he also spoke in favor of women's rights and civil service reform. Offered an ambassadorship to England, Curtis declined in order to keep at his writings.

Works in the EAF Collection

The Potiphar Papers (1853) (Restricted)

Prue and I (1856)

The Shrouded Portrait in The Knickerbocker Gallery (1855) (Restricted)

A Story of Venice in Gifts of Genius (1859) (Restricted)

Trumps: A Novel (1861)

EAF Manuscript Materials

Manuscript: Signed excerpt from Prue & I

Document: Contract for Trumps (December 31, 1860)

Letter: Curtis to Furlong (February 26, 1855)

Letter: Curtis to Bayard Taylor (July 30, 1855)

Letter: Curtis to "Dr." (November 15, 1857)

Letter: Curtis to Parkman (October 17, 1865)

Letter: W. R. G. Mellon to Curtis (June 12, 1874)

Letter: Curtis to Epes Sargent (November 26, 1878)

Letter: Curtis to "Dear Sir" (February 28, 1891)

Sketch: Young Curtis

Sketch: Curtis, in profile

Engraving: George William Curtis

Photo: Curtis, seated

Contemporary Biographies

From Oscar Fay Adams, A Dictionary of American Authors (1901)

From Samuel Austin Allibone, A Critical Dictionary of English Literature (1900)

From Evert A. Duyckinck, Cyclopaedia of American Literature (1856)