Cushman and the Brownings

Elizabeth Browning tells Isa Blagden that she "will offend Miss Cushman" if she does not visit the actress in Rome (Jan 5-9, 1860)

Cushman, Stebbins, and Hosmer mentioned as "old friends" (March 19, 1864)

Robert Browning complains that "neither of them [Charlotte Cushman or Harriet Hosmer] ever signify their presence to me (Nov 19, 1867)

Robert Browning mentions Charlotte Cushman and Harriet Hosmer together, as friends of Isa Blagden (Jan 28, 1860)

Browing speaks of a letter from Hosmer in a patronizing manner (March 18, 1865)

The Brownings inform Jameson that "Miss Cushman means to be imperious about Mr Chorley’s tragedy (Feb 4, 1847)

Robert Browning mentions "Miss Cushman, the new American actress (clever and truthful-looking)" (Aug 10, 1845)

Robert Browning tells Elizabeth Barrett about seeing Cushman and her sister on stage, performing Romeo & Juliet (Jan 31, 1846)

Browing mentions Cushman and Hays as being on their way (Oct 21, 1852)

Charlotte Cushman and Harriet Hosmer are living together in Rome (Jan 1, 1860)

Browning mentions a letter from Cushman in which she asks him whether she is to expect Blagden soon (Feb 8, 1860)

Matilda Hays writes to Robert Browning to convince him of her writing skills and career by including her "memorial." She mentions Charlotte Cushman in the context of her short stage career after which she traveled as a "companion" with Charlotte (March 3, 1865)

Cushman is going to meet Robert Browning for "a social cup of tea" (Feb 1, 1860)

In these letters to her mother, Kate Field describes her social life in Rome - including her experience of the carnival, meetings with the Brownings and Hawthorne, and her rides with Charlotte Cushman, Emma Stebbins, and Harriet Hosmer

Field mentions Mrs. Browning (Mar 15, 1860)

Cushman finds Robert Browning "objectionable" (Jan 15, 1863)

Charlotte mentions press reports about Browning and Carlyle (Jan 3, 1875)

The letter implies that Hays and Hosmer live together (Dec 30, 1853)

Browning writes about Rome to her sister (Jan 15-17 1853)

Browning describes Cushman and Hays's relationship as a "female marriage" (Oct 22, 1852)

James Parton's Eminent Women of the Age (1869) uses the term 'gossip' in the description of Elizabeth Browning

"Plain Girls" (Salt Lake Daily Telegraph, 19 Dec 1867) describes Browning as a 'plain faced woman'

"Masculine Women" (Liberator 15 Jan 1858) mentions Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Petition "To the Laws of Property as They Affect Women," Feb 16, 1856: Carlyle, Cushman, Hays, Browning, and Jewsbury signed the petition

Cobbe's Italics: Brief Notes on Politics, People and Places in Italy (1864) mentions "Miss Cushman's magnificent readings of Mrs. Browning"

Kate Sanborn's Memories and Anecdotes (1915) reminisces about Hosmer’s friendships with the Brownings, Grace Greendwood, and Charlotte Cushman

38 Via Gregoriana, Rome - Cushman household

Robert Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Isabella "Isa" Jane Blagden

Elizabeth Browning recounts her first encounter with Charlotte Cushman (Feb 13, 1853)

She tells Chroley how Charlotte Cushman praised his play. Browning speaks of Cushman's 'masculine appearance and soul' (Aug 10, 1853)

Browning advises Jessie Meriton to ask Cushman for help in terms of a translation of George Sand (April 28, 1856)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning mentions Cushman and Matilda Hays who are traveling to Algiers (Oct 20, 1856)

The Brownings have met Harriet Hosmer and Cushman, and Elizabeth Browning shares her perspective on Rome (Nov 26, 1858)

Browning tells Blagden her first impressions of Rome (Dec 12, 1858)

Bronwing invites Cushman over (Jan 1859)

Cushman expects Isa Blagden to visit her (Jan 7, 1859)

Browning tells Blagden of a conversation she overheard "through a half-open door," in which Cushman spoke highly of Isa Blagden (April 15, 1859)