Browse Items (74 total)

  • Tags: same-sex attraction

Letter from Rosalie Sully to Charlotte Cushman, May 11, 1845

CCP Box 14 Sully^J Rosalie to CC 1847.pdf
Rosalie Sully writes to Charlotte Cushman. Rosalie is heart-broken since the two had to go separate ways. To show her love, she is still wearing a ring and bracelet that Cushman gave her last summer. Rosalie is referring to a pledge on July 6, 1844,…

Letter from Geraldine Jewsbury to Charlotte Cushman [1846]

CCP 11, 3458-3460, GJ to CC- OV.pdf
Jewsbury thanks Cushman for the documents she sent to her and talks about a poem she does not really care about. Credit Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Letter from Jane Welsh Carlyle to Jeannie Welsh, Jan 19, 1846

Jane Carlyle writes about her quarrels of jealousy with Geraldine Jewsbury due to Jewsbury's "friendship" with Cushman. Credit The Carlyle Letters Online/CLO

Poem by Eliza Cook to Charlotte Cushman, June, 1846

CCP Box 10 Cook, Eliza to CC, June, 1846.pdf
A love letter from Cook devoted to Cushman, addressed to C******** C****** but obvious to those in her social circle. The poem is published in the Weekly Dispatch on June 14, 1846. Credit Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript…

Eliza Cook's Journal, Poem Addressed to Cushman, January 26, 1850

Eliza Cook's Journal v. 1 1849 - Omeka.pdf
Poem addressed to C.C. (Charlotte Cushman) Credit Hathi Trust

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 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 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, 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 25, [1858]

CCP 1.55 CC to ECC 1858, Feb 25 - Omeka.pdf
Charlotte writes to Emma Crow about her feelings for her. Apparently, Emma is very fond of Charlotte and Charlotte fears that she cannot meet Emma's expectations. Charlotte also hints at her troubled relationship with Mrs Kemble and mentions 'little…

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, 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…

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, 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 Mary Devlin to Charlotte Cushman, Nov 4, 1858

Darling Miss Cushman,Need I tell you how grateful I am for your thought of me, and how pleased I was at your present, --suffice it is to say that through the politeness of Capt Leitch I received it safely and longed for your presence to kiss, 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 Cushman, May 3, 1860

CCP Box 1 CC to ECC May 3, 1860 (feelings to be hidden acc. to Markus).pdf
This letter is particularly hard to read since it was written in pencil.Cushman will meet Emma in a hotel in Paris. She goes over detailed travel arrangements.Cushman and Emma Crow hope for a future that allows them to be together as much as…

Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, May 8, 1860

CCP 1, 147-152, CC to ECC May 8, 1860 (feelings to be hidden acc. to Markus) - OV.pdf
Emma is with Miss Whitwell who interferes with Emma's traveling plans to see Charlotte. Cushman feels that Whitwell is jealous of Charlotte and Harriet ("Her remarks with regard to your dear friend Miss Cushman are simply womanish spite"). A ring…

Letter from Kate Field to Emma Crow, May 20, 1860

CCP 11, 3298-3299, Field, Kate to CC and ES, May 20, 1860.pdf
In this witty letter, Field criticizes the Union and advises Emma Crow to not enter the US until the next presidential elections. Field writes in the context of the Italian revolution. (She dreams of "decapitating Francis Joseph"). Reflecting the…