Scope and Contents
The Alice Brown Papers consist of writings, correspondence, and printed material documenting the work of American poet, novelist, and dramatist, Alice Brown. The papers, which provide evidence of Brown's writing career and literary circle, are a window into the creative life of a New England woman writer at the turn of the twentieth century.
Brown's manuscripts provide insight into her creative process. In some cases Brown's writing projects can be traced from her initial handwritten drafts to the final published version (some of her drafts, and even printed versions, contain corrections). The Writings series largely consists of Brown's verse and short stories published in magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Woman's Home Companion. A selection of Brown's other works, such as Children of Earth: A Play of New England, are also included in the Writings series. The Printed Material series includes publications by Brown as well as articles and promotional material about Brown. As the papers illustrate, Brown reflected on the literature she was reading, as can be found in her notes and jottings in blank pages of The Flying Teuton.
Brown's correspondence can be found in both the Writings and Correspondence series and reflects her personal and professional relationships. Brown's correspondence with author Esther Willard Bates is of particular interest. Dating over a ten year period (1938-1948) the letters consist of Brown's correspondence to Bates and contain her reflections on literature, mutual friends, and general observations on her writing and life.
Brown's manuscripts provide insight into her creative process. In some cases Brown's writing projects can be traced from her initial handwritten drafts to the final published version (some of her drafts, and even printed versions, contain corrections). The Writings series largely consists of Brown's verse and short stories published in magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Woman's Home Companion. A selection of Brown's other works, such as Children of Earth: A Play of New England, are also included in the Writings series. The Printed Material series includes publications by Brown as well as articles and promotional material about Brown. As the papers illustrate, Brown reflected on the literature she was reading, as can be found in her notes and jottings in blank pages of The Flying Teuton.
Brown's correspondence can be found in both the Writings and Correspondence series and reflects her personal and professional relationships. Brown's correspondence with author Esther Willard Bates is of particular interest. Dating over a ten year period (1938-1948) the letters consist of Brown's correspondence to Bates and contain her reflections on literature, mutual friends, and general observations on her writing and life.
Dates
- 1890-1948
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Alice Brown Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alice Brown, 1949. Other material came to the library in small quantities from various sources as indicated on individual folders.
Arrangement
Organized into three series: I. Writings, 1890-1945. II. Correspondence, 1938-1948. III. Printed Material, 1896-1945.
Extent
2.3 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
The Alice Brown Papers consist of drafts, correspondence, and printed material documenting the work of American poet, novelist, and dramatist, Alice Brown. The papers, which provide evidence of Brown's writing career and literary circle, are a window into the creative life of a New England woman writer at the turn of the twentieth century. Brown's correspondence with author Esther Willard Bates is of particular interest. Dating over a ten year period (1938-1948) the letters consist of Brown's correspondence to Bates and contain her reflections on literature, mutual friends, and general observations on her writing and life.
Alice Brown (1857-1948)
Alice Brown, American poet, novelist, and dramatist, was born in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, on December 5, 1857 to Levi Brown and Elizabeth Lucas. She attended Robinson Seminary in Exeter from which she graduated in 1876. After teaching for a brief period in New Hampshire, Brown moved to Boston in 1880 where she taught and worked for the Christian Register and the Youth's Companion (which she joined in 1885), before leaving teaching to write full time.
During her writing career Brown published novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Her novels include Stratford-by-the-Sea (1884), Fools of Nature (1887), King's End (1901), Margaret Warrener (1901), The Day of His Youth (1897), and Kingdom in the Sky (1932). Many of Brown's short stories and verse were published in magazines, however, some of her short stories were collected in Meadow-Grass: Tales of New England Life (1895), Tiverton Tales (1899), High Noon (1904), The County Road (1906) and Country Neighbors (1910). Brown's poetry collections include The Road to Castaly (1896) and Ellen Prior (1923). Brown also authored biographies of Mercy Otis Warren (1896) and Louise Guiney (1921). In 1913 Brown won the Winthrop Ames prize for her play Children of Earth: A Play of New England, which Ames produced at the Booth Theater on Broadway and at the Schubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut in 1915.
Brown worked collaboratively with other authors, such as Louise Imogen Guiney and Harriet Prescott Spofford, with whom she coauthored Three Heroines of New England Romance. Brown and Guiney also jointly published a biographical study of Robert Louis Stevenson (1895). In 1907 Brown was one of twelve authors who contributed to The Whole Family: A Novel by Twelve Authors, which first appeared as a serial in Harper's Bazaar. In addition to these collaborations Brown was also involved with the Boston Authors Club (she served as president from 1920 to 1922).
Brown died in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 21, 1948.
During her writing career Brown published novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Her novels include Stratford-by-the-Sea (1884), Fools of Nature (1887), King's End (1901), Margaret Warrener (1901), The Day of His Youth (1897), and Kingdom in the Sky (1932). Many of Brown's short stories and verse were published in magazines, however, some of her short stories were collected in Meadow-Grass: Tales of New England Life (1895), Tiverton Tales (1899), High Noon (1904), The County Road (1906) and Country Neighbors (1910). Brown's poetry collections include The Road to Castaly (1896) and Ellen Prior (1923). Brown also authored biographies of Mercy Otis Warren (1896) and Louise Guiney (1921). In 1913 Brown won the Winthrop Ames prize for her play Children of Earth: A Play of New England, which Ames produced at the Booth Theater on Broadway and at the Schubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut in 1915.
Brown worked collaboratively with other authors, such as Louise Imogen Guiney and Harriet Prescott Spofford, with whom she coauthored Three Heroines of New England Romance. Brown and Guiney also jointly published a biographical study of Robert Louis Stevenson (1895). In 1907 Brown was one of twelve authors who contributed to The Whole Family: A Novel by Twelve Authors, which first appeared as a serial in Harper's Bazaar. In addition to these collaborations Brown was also involved with the Boston Authors Club (she served as president from 1920 to 1922).
Brown died in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 21, 1948.
Processing Information
This collection received a basic level of processing, including rehousing and in some instances minimal organization, at or around the time of acquisition. Further description was carried out in 2011-2012.
As a rule, descriptive information found in the Collection Contents section is drawn in large part from information supplied with the collection and from an initial survey of the contents. Folder titles appearing in the contents list below are often based on those provided by the creator or previous custodian. Titles have not been verified against the contents of the folders in all cases. Otherwise, folder titles are supplied by staff during initial processing.
This collection includes materials previously identified by the following call numbers: Za Brown, Uncat Za File 62, and Za B812+1.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
As a rule, descriptive information found in the Collection Contents section is drawn in large part from information supplied with the collection and from an initial survey of the contents. Folder titles appearing in the contents list below are often based on those provided by the creator or previous custodian. Titles have not been verified against the contents of the folders in all cases. Otherwise, folder titles are supplied by staff during initial processing.
This collection includes materials previously identified by the following call numbers: Za Brown, Uncat Za File 62, and Za B812+1.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the Alice Brown Papers
- Author
- by H. Dean
- Date
- 2012.1.10
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
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