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Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, March 26, 1869
Again, Charlotte Cushman writes to Risley thanking him for his support in the Quarry investment and reports about the font shipping. The beloved friend that she repeatedly mentions in these letters is probably William H. Seward who retires from his…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, July 2, 1869
Charlotte Cushman finds herself in a "poor & nervous state of health" and seeks treatment in England. She turns to Risley for business advice submitting to gender steretypes: "I can not know so much about business as if I were a man."She also…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, Jan 8-9, 1869
Risley asked Cushman to order a font for him in Rome. She is calculating the cost for the marble and shipping, considering alternatives, and asking him for permission to order.
Credit
Hanson A. Risley Papers, 1774-1908, David M. Rubenstein Rare…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Hanson A. Risley, Feb 5, 1869
Charlotte Cushman is grateful for Risley's support in becoming a shareholder of the Seneca Stone Quarry and in pushing the careers of her step nephews. She speaks of a mutual friend in politics who is known for his "sagacity &…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Grace Greenwood, June 15, 1854
Charlotte Cushman tells Grace Greenwood about the change of her reputation after performing the role of Queern Katherine. She touches upon the heartbreak that she suffered from because Matilda Hays left her in London to be with Harriet Hosmer in Rome…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Grace Greenwood, July 9, 1852
Charlotte Cushman tells Grace Greenwood about a quarrel with a friend of Hays who thinks that Cushman "stole" Hays from her. At the moment, Grace Greenwood is with Hays but Charlotte will return to them soon. She informs Grace about her travel plans…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to George Combe, Nov 23, 1845
Cushman has received a favorable reply from George Combe in which he calmed her down in terms of the reputational damage that Combe implied in his first letter to the actress which put her in distress earlier.
Credit
National Library of Scotland
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to George Combe, Nov 21, 1845
Cushman presents herself as shocked and surprised at the "gross motive [that] might be attributed" to her performance of Romeo on stage together with her sister Susan: "your hints have only plunged me into trouble — for I find the subject, in a new…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Sept 20, 1861
Charlotte Cushman addresses Emma Crow's marriage with Ned Cushman. Additionally, she informs Emma about financial issues of Emma Stebbins's work as a sculptor.
Credit
Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Sept 12, 1860
Cushman is anxious that Emma Crow may lose letters that Charlotte sent: "I don't like such dear letters addressed to me to be lost. or be sent to the Dead letter office. If any 'unscrupulous person or persons' should find it. my reputation might be…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Oct 26, 1860
Charlotte Cushman writes to Emma Crow that she loves her and wants to see her again, feeling comfort in writing her. Due to being otherwise occupied, Cushman has been unable to write sooner, and now talks about a fresh start of rehearsals. She admits…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Nov 26, 1858
As it is often the case, Cushman is very busy, and finds it quite hard to write distant friends. It takes a month for a letter to get to St. Louis from Rome. Cushman informs Emma about her daily routine in Rome and her activities with Emma Stebbins.…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, May 11, 1858
Charlotte Cushman reassures Emma Crow of her love. Cushman calls Emma her "little love" and "bird." Charlotte asks for Emma's permission to keep her letters, which Charlotte calls "heart records," but she would also destroy them if Emma wants her…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, March 13, 1862
Charlotte Cushman calls Emma Crow Cushman her "daughter." Cushman laments the dishonesty and greed in the times of the Civil War. She was relieved to hear from Ned and Emma and is now longing to return to "America."Ned and Emma may have to move in…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Mar 31, 1858
In this letter, Charlotte reassures Emma of her love. She promises to visit Emma soon. Charlotte mentions Harriet Hosmer who is trying to find a winter residence in Rome for Cushman. At the end of the year, Charlotte would eventually move to Via…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, June 30, [1858]
Cushman regrets that Crow could not be with her, due to Crow's father not allowing her to come with to New York. She was disappointed to only see Crow's mother instead of her. Crow's parents had decided that Cushman was too occupied for their…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, July 5, 1858
Once again, Charlotte confesses her love to Emma very explicitly. Her letter is written in the night between July 4 and July 5, 1858. Cushman explains to Emma why Emma often does not hear from the actress for weeks. Charlotte emphasizes the…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Jan 22, 1859
Charlotte Cushman apologizes to Emma again for not writing any sooner. Charlotte has been very busy due to social duties and troubled by the construction work in her house in Rome. Language barriers proved to be a serious issue in advancing the work.…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, February 22, 1858
This letter is the first one available from the time after Charlotte Cushman's breakup with Matilda Hays. It is a prime example of Charlotte's longing for Emma Crow whom she met shortly before this correspondence at the beginning of…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Feb 3, 1858
This letter is most likely the first one that Charlotte sends to Emma after they met in St Louis, MO, and fell in love. The preceding week, Charlotte had to leave for Cairo and Emma had prepared basket full of food. Cushman mentions the age gap and…
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Charlotte Cushman
Charlotte Cushman becomes widely known on both sides of the Atlantic as the first successful US-American actress. Earlier, she was a singer under the tutelage of James G. Maeder, married to actress Clara Fisher, in Boston. Charlotte has been the sole financial support of her mother since her father…