Summary
Overview
Rossetti, Dante Gabriel,
1828-1882.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti Collection
1 linear foot, 1 archival box, 1 large print box
Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare
Books and Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Abstract
Consists of an open collection for material by and about the English poet and
artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882).
Description
Description
The collection contains over forty letters by Rossetti, dated from 1857 to 1881,
as well as manuscripts of verse and a pen-and-ink self-portrait. Letters are
addressed to Ford Madox Brown, Robert Browning, Edward Burne-Jones, William
Rossetti, and others. Among the manuscripts are the sonnets "If to grow old in
heaven..." and "O bella mano..." (accompanied by the English version "O lovely
hand..."). One letter from Walter Theodore Watts-Dunton is included in the
collection. Also included are seven albumen prints (approx. 6" x 8") of Jane
Morris, taken by J. B. Parsons in 1865, apparently from D. G. Rossetti's
personal collection (via Everard Meynell).
Collection Creator
Biography
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, poet and artist, was born on May 12, 1828 in London, England.
He studied at King’s College and the Royal Academy, where he met fellow painters Sir
John Everett Millais and Holman Hunt. The three men formed the Pre-Raphaelite
Brotherhood. Rossetti developed his skill both as painter and poet. He created one
of his best known paintings, Ecce Ancilla Domini, in
1850. Rossetti produced his two best known poems, "The Portrait" and "The Blessed
Damozel" in 1842, and later published The Early Italian
Poets, a collection of translations of Dante and other Italian writers.
Later in life Rossetti struggled with depression, although he continued to be
creatively productive. He married Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal in 1860, and for two
years she inspired many of his paintings. She passed away in 1862, leaving Rossetti
deeply depressed. Rossetti himself passed away on April 10, 1882.
Collection History
Acquisition
Collection purchased in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2009.
Custodial History
The collection was formed as a result of a departmental practice of combining
into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a
particular author.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in
2005. Finding aid written in
2005.
Biography written by Alyxandra Cullen, '09.
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication
of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University
Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the
collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare
Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of
literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for
determining any questions of copyright.
Preferred Citation
Dante Gabriel Rossetti Collection; 1828-1881, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Princeton University Library Finding Aids 
View Entire Finding Aid
Download Finding Aid