Papers
Six volumes of poems, translations, interpretations, letters, etc. of Elizabeth Graeme Ferguson of Philadelphia. "Ferguson (1737-1801) was an important literary figure whose work was largely obscured by the fact that she was a woman writing in the 18th century" (Phila. Inquirer, 3/26/85)....
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Collection: | Papers |
Collection Number: | LCP.in.HSP186 |
Format: | Manuscript |
Language: | English |
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LEADER | 02751ntc a2200217 u 4500 | ||
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001 | ead-LCP.in.HSP186 | ||
008 | 140414i xx eng d | ||
040 | |e dacs | ||
041 | 0 | |a eng | |
099 | |a LCP.in.HSP186 | ||
100 | 1 | |a Ferguson, Elizabeth Graeme (1737-1801) |e creator | |
245 | 1 | |a Papers |f 1752-1799 | |
300 | |a 1.5 Linear feet |f 1.5 linear feet, 6 volumes | ||
520 | |a Six volumes of poems, translations, interpretations, letters, etc. of Elizabeth Graeme Ferguson of Philadelphia. "Ferguson (1737-1801) was an important literary figure whose work was largely obscured by the fact that she was a woman writing in the 18th century" (Phila. Inquirer, 3/26/85). "Telemachus," a poetic translation of Fenelon's "Telemaque," completed in 1769, with "translator's notes" added in subsequent years, by Elizabeth Graeme Ferguson, Philadelphia litterateur. Poetic interpretation of the Book of Psalms, with Graeme's notations and introductory letter addressed to the Rev. Richard Peters. Poetry, prose, letters, memoranda, covering a wide range of political, social, moral, religious, and economic subjects composed or extracted by Ferguson. Although the material dates from 1768, apparently it was recorded from 1790 to 1795, and it is often signed "Laura." The work, which Mrs. Ferguson referred to as her "Poemata Juvenilia," was written between 1752 and 1772. Nearly all her poems are signed "Laura," her most common pseudonym. In the volume she also copied poems to her from others, including Benjamin Franklin's son William, to whom she was engaged from 1752 until 1762 when he married Miss Elizabeth Downes in London. She traveled to Europe to restore her spirits, and dazzled the social and intellectual circles there. Upon her return in 1766 she established at Graeme Park a celebrated literary salon. Her friendships with Philadelphia's best and brightest in the world of letters--Francis Hopkinson, Provost William Smith (first President of the University of Pennsylvania), Jacob Duche, and others--are chronicled in "Poemata Juvenilia." The volume ends shortly before her ill-fated marriage to Henry Hugh Ferguson in 1772. Most volumes are indexed by Ferguson. | ||
541 | 1 | |a Purchased; By exchange with the Osborn Collection at Yale; Gift of Mrs. Howard Aley; 1962; 1978; 1985 acquired | |
650 | 7 | |a Literature--Poetry--18th century |2 Local sources | |
650 | 7 | |a United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Loyalists |2 Local sources | |
650 | 7 | |a United States--History--Revolution, 1776-1783--Women's roles. |2 Local sources | |
650 | 7 | |a William Franklin |2 Local sources | |
650 | 7 | |a Women's History--Poets and Translators--18th century. |2 Local sources | |
852 | |a The Historical Society of Pennsylvania |b Papers |c LCP.in.HSP186 |