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Collection Overview

Creator:
Besant, Walter, 1836-1901
Collector:
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
Title:
Princeton University Library Collection of Sir Walter Besant Correspondence
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/8c97kq42k
Dates:
1876-1901
Size:
2 boxes
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Boxes 1, B-001093
Language:
English

Abstract

Consists primarily of incoming and outgoing letters of English novelist and historian Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901).

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of the correspondence of English novelist and historian Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901). A sizeable portion includes 100 letters sent by Besant to his publisher, Chatto & Windus (London), from 1881 to 1901. Amongst other topics that are documented, many letters relate to his publications, the Society of Authors, and the Palestine Exploration Fund.

Some photographs, ephemera, and writings relating to Besant are scattered throughout.

Collection Creator Biography:

Besant

Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901) was one of the most prolific and widely-read novelists, popular historians, and social critics of the late Victorian era. He was also a philanthropist, antiquary, secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund, originator of the People's Palace in East London, and a vigorous campaigner for authors' rights. He helped found the Society of Authors in 1884 and edited its journal until his death. Besant was knighted in 1895

Collection History

Acquisition:

The collection adheres to a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.

The collection has been assembled from various purchases and gifts from Seven Gables, David Holmes, Diana J. Rendell Inc., Bart Auerbach, Henry Briston, Farahan and Dupre, and John Watson Ltd, and others. The letter relating to the Palestine Exploration Fund is a gift of Mark Samuels Lesner.

Accessions include: AM 17247, AM 20737, AM 20837, AM 1991-74, AM 1992-100, AM 1992-128, AM 1993-36, AM 1993-52, AM 1993-74, AM 1993-146, AM 1993-157, AM 1995-50, AM 1996-64, AM 1998-04, AM 1998-45, AM 1998-64, AM 1998-82, AM 1999-97, AM 2000-87, and AM 2018-45.

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

Biography written by Jessica Marati, '08.

This collection was reprocessed by Faith Charlton in December 2017. Finding aid updated by Faith Charlton in December 2017.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Princeton University Library Collection of Sir Walter Besant Correspondence; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/8c97kq42k
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Boxes 1, B-001093