Browse Items (74 total)

  • Tags: same-sex attraction

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Jane Welsh Carlyle, July 15, 1862

NLS, ms1774, 235-236 recto, Cushman to Jane Carlyle in Ms. 1771 dated 15 July 1862.pdf
Cushman plans to meet Carlyle and writes about her "loving admiration" for Jane. Credit National Library of Scotland

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Jane Welsh Carlyle, July 12, 1862

NLS, ms1774, 233-234 recto, Cushman to Jane Carlyle in Ms. 1771 dated 12 July 1862.pdf
Cushman inquires about a meeting with Jane Carlyle. Credit National Library of Scotland

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to James Fields, Nov 21, 1862

Letter from CC to JT, November 21, 1862
Tilton has not been handling the sending of Cushman's belongings very well. Cushman is grateful for the books James Fields has sent her way, but comments on him forgetting to do so as of lately. These two issues cause her describe men (="sex") as…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt, March 29, 1871

Dr. Wright could not help Charlotte Cushman to get better. Cushman is anxious and convinced that she will die in a couple of month, she "will seek every palliative" available. She desperately tries to consult medical advice in different cities.As…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt, Aug 16, 1874

Charlotte Cushman discusses further engagements and tells Hunt about her "friend Miss Stebbins" who accompanies her. Emma Stebbins's mother died.Transcripts courtesy of Nancy Knipe, Colorado College.

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Nov 23, 1869

Charlotte Cushman is grateful for a gift from Helen Hunt and tells her that she loves her.Transcripts courtesy of Nancy Knipe, Colorado College.

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Dec 6, 1869

At this state, Charlotte Cushman is "a poor shaky old 'queen'" who contemplates going back to the US.She comments on her relationship with Emma Stebbins and reveals a breach of trust with, presumably, Emma Crow Cushman:"You are wrong dear in you…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Dec 6, [1870?]

Charlotte Cushman writes about her health and housing situation.Transcripts courtesy of Nancy Knipe, Colorado College.

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Grace Greenwood, June 15, 1854

DMR CC to Greenwood, 1854 June 15.pdf
Charlotte Cushman tells Grace Greenwood about the change of her reputation after performing the role of Queern Katherine. She touches upon the heartbreak that she suffered from because Matilda Hays left her in London to be with Harriet Hosmer in Rome…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Grace Greenwood, July 9, 1852

DMR CC to Greenwood, 1852 July 9.pdf
Charlotte Cushman tells Grace Greenwood about a quarrel with a friend of Hays who thinks that Cushman "stole" Hays from her. At the moment, Grace Greenwood is with Hays but Charlotte will return to them soon. She informs Grace about her travel plans…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Sept 20, 1861

CCP 1.326-327, CC to ECC, Sep 20 - Omeka.pdf
Charlotte Cushman addresses Emma Crow's marriage with Ned Cushman. Additionally, she informs Emma about financial issues of Emma Stebbins's work as a sculptor. Credit Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Sept 12, 1860

CCP Box 1 CC to ECC 1860, Sep 12.pdf
Cushman is anxious that Emma Crow may lose letters that Charlotte sent: "I don't like such dear letters addressed to me to be lost. or be sent to the Dead letter office. If any 'unscrupulous person or persons' should find it. my reputation might be…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, May 11, 1858

CCP Box 15 CC to ECC 1858 May 11.pdf
Charlotte Cushman reassures Emma Crow of her love. Cushman calls Emma her "little love" and "bird." Charlotte asks for Emma's permission to keep her letters, which Charlotte calls "heart records," but she would also destroy them if Emma wants her…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, March 13, 1862

CCP Box 2 Letters 1862 March.pdf
Charlotte Cushman calls Emma Crow Cushman her "daughter." Cushman laments the dishonesty and greed in the times of the Civil War. She was relieved to hear from Ned and Emma and is now longing to return to "America."Ned and Emma may have to move in…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Mar 31, 1858

CCP 1.60-61 CC to ECC, March 31, 1858.pdf
In this letter, Charlotte reassures Emma of her love. She promises to visit Emma soon. Charlotte mentions Harriet Hosmer who is trying to find a winter residence in Rome for Cushman. At the end of the year, Charlotte would eventually move to Via…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, June 30, [1858]

CCP 1, 68-70, CC to ECC, June 30, [1858].pdf
Cushman regrets that Crow could not be with her, due to Crow's father not allowing her to come with to New York. She was disappointed to only see Crow's mother instead of her. Crow's parents had decided that Cushman was too occupied for their…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, February 22, 1858

CCP Box 1 CC to ECC 1858, Feb 22 - Omeka file.pdf
This letter is the first one available from the time after Charlotte Cushman's breakup with Matilda Hays. It is a prime example of Charlotte's longing for Emma Crow whom she met shortly before this correspondence at the beginning of…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Feb 3, 1858

CCP 1.49-50 CC to ECC Feb 3, 1858.pdf
This letter is most likely the first one that Charlotte sends to Emma after they met in St Louis, MO, and fell in love. The preceding week, Charlotte had to leave for Cairo and Emma had prepared basket full of food. Cushman mentions the age gap and…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Dec 24, 1858

CCP 1, 90-91, Letter from CC to ECC, Dec 24, 1858.pdf
Charlotte Cushman tells Emma about her language barriers and ongoing struggles with the house renovations in Via Gregoriana, Rome. Emma Stebbins and Charlotte have still not been able to move. Harriet Hosmer who has helped Cushman out in the past…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Apr 27, 1858

CCP Box 1 CC to ECC 1858, April (marriage to ES).pdf
Charlotte Cushman feels poorly, so "unlike" herself lately. She is busy rehearsing and refers to her past life as a "hotel life" in which she was a "wanderer." Emma's father, Wayman Crow, is doing business in Baltimore and known as an honorable…