Born into an anti-slavery family of eight children, Howells aided his family by setting type in his journalist father's printing office.
27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Whitman recalls his loyalty during early days of Leaves of Grass. Clapp and The Saturday Press were much needed allies.
Whitman discusses how he was often in Washington. Whitman states that Greeley contributed to discussions and ideas but was not a great man. Whitman also discusses Greeley's New England smartness and said, "I ought to like him - and do- for he was very sweet and kind to me...I always felt drawn."
Whitman told Traubel that he thinks well of Howells, but that Howells is much fatter that Dr. John Johnston and that "He is inclined to be suave, kind, courteous - has his parts and holds them well." Whitman called Howells and Aldrich "errand boys."
A Chelsea tile-maker who remembered Whitman from Pfaff's days when Law was a landscape painter. Claimed that Whitman would most likely not recognize him by name.
The paper was a friendly media outlet for Whitman during the early days of Leaves of Grass.
Whitman discusses how Stedman is the "pick and treasure" of the "bitter" New York Crowd and Whitman seems to be often critical of him and his personality. Whitman also refers to Stedman's ability as a literary critic: "I don't think he fishes with a very deep sinker. [Edmund] Stedman doesn't seem to have vision, soul - depth of nativity - sufficient to make him capable of the highest interpretations."
Stoddard is recalled as having pursued Whitman with "a sort of venom always" and appears to have been a harsh media critic.
Whitman discusses how Swinton was an early and well-loved friend by Whitman.
The author recalls his discussions and conversations at Pfaff's. In one letter, a Boston friend reminds Whitman of an earlier aquaintance with Jack Law. Whitman recalls early days in New York "and the faces and voices of 'the boys.'" He also recalls Pfaff's ability to pick good wines and his belief that Pfaff could not pick a bad liquor.
Wilkins is listed as one of Whitman's "boys" and one of Whitman's early defenders. Wilkins is described by Whitman as "noble, slim, sickish, dressy, Frenchy - consumptive in look, in gait: weak-voiced: oh! I think the weakest voice I ever knew in a man. But Ned was courageous: in an out and out way very friendly to Leaves of Grass: free spoken - always willing to let it be known what he thought: in fact, was what we nowadays call a dude: kid-gloved, scrupulous - oh! squeamish! - about his linen, about his tie - all that." Whitman also claims that "I never heard Ned say a foolish thing."
Born into an anti-slavery family of eight children, Howells aided his family by setting type in his journalist father's printing office.
27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015