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Letter from Charlotte Cushman to William F. Bridges
Cushman would like to send a letter of introduction and describes the press as "know nothings" quoting Emma Stebbins in terms of her Horrace Mann statue. Cushman also mentions that she has been "out of health this spring and summer." Cushman writes…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mr. Harrington, July 15, 1840
Charlotte Cushman asks for "something theatrical of a good prose article" about one of Felicia Hemans's letters to be published in Burton's Magazine.
Credit
Boston Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Nov 20, 1872
Charlotte Cushman allows Elizabeth Palmer Peabody to use Cushman's name if Peabody thinks that "will carry any weight." Cushman also mentions a fire that "interrupted" her engagement.
Credit
Boston Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Madame Vraidot, June 10, no year
A letter of introduction written by Charlotte Cushman on account of an acquaintance who wants to enter the Convervatoire of Paris. Cushman complained about the volume of such requests, especially as she began to suffer from ill health (e. g. "For…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Jane Welsh Carlyle, July 12, 1862
Cushman inquires about a meeting with Jane Carlyle.
Credit
National Library of Scotland
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Jane Welsh Carlyle, Nov 16, 1861
Charlotte Cushman writes a glowing letter of affection to Jane Welsh Carlyle. Cushman admires her, speaks of mutual love, begs Jane to write to her. She mentions Rosa Bonheur as a mutual friend.
Credit
National Library of Scotland
"Rome – Foreign Correspondence of the Boston Post," Boston Post, February 23, 1867
A short excerpt from this long report on the US American art market in Rome – the part in which Hosmer and Cushman are described as expert riders whose muscular physique would make men envious – is subsequently reprinted in a number of newspapers,…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to William Wetmore Story, May 31, 1858
Charlotte Cushman orders a copy of one of Story's statuettes and asks about one of his poems for her to read. She also informs him about taking a break from stage and reading performances ("I want a long rest from public life") and her moving to Rome…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Dec 26, 1862
Charlotte Cushman would like her family to live closer to her, thinking of Ned but Emma Crow Cushman in particular. She mentions translation issues and cultural differences between Rome/Italy and the US. Cushman also informs Emma about the pain in…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Dec 12-13, 1862
Charlotte Cushman faces "going out to my social duties as a sort of relief" from her illness (cold). Large parts of the letter address social gatherings and US American citizens in Rome, most of whom are "well bred."The actress is still haunted by…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Dec 5-6, 1862
As Emma Crow Cushman is married and busy decorating and furnishing her house, Charlotte Cushman thinks nostalgically of more frequent and longer "old time letters." Repeatedly, Charlotte mentions that Emma's husband, and Charlotte's nephew and…
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 Mr. Danop, Oct 16, 1863
Cushman verifies Oct 27 as the date for her charity performance. She has prepared the roles of Lady Macbeth and Meg Merrilees.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Henry C. Willard, Nov 22, 1871
Willard has asked Cushman to do a reading of Shakespeare's Henry VIII in Brattleboro in January. She demands $500 for five nights in advance.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Henry C. Willard, Dec 8, 1871
Cushman has arranged to come to Brattleboro on Dec 22. She asks Willard for advice on which railway to take from New Haven to Brattleboro and back.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Henry C. Willard, Dec 2, 1871
Cushman is uncertain whether she will be able to come to Brattleboro on Dec 21 or 22, as her engagement at the theatre is taking up all her time.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 31, 1865
Cushman is grateful for Emma's words of comfort as her mind is currently "crowded with cares & anxieties of many kinds." She regrets that Emma's baby has a cold and hopes Emma has by now seen Dr. Franco.Cushman asks Emma to convey the latest…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 28, 1865
Cushman is glad to hear that Emma, Ned, and their baby are in good health. She is, however, worried about the baby striking his head when he learns to walk and asks Emma to inquire a doctor about some medicine as a precaution. She should also ask…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 25, 1865
Cushman had been feeling "dreadfully depressed" due to the sulfur water but her doctor put her on saline chalybeate, which has improved her health significantly. Ned is suffering a few physical ailments as well, which Cushman ascribes to 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…
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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…