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Letter from Charlotte Cushman to John Povey, Oct 17, 1847
Cushman discusses financial issues, theaters as potentially attracting "vulgar" audiences, the future of the US-American and English drama, Macready's rivalry with Edwin Forrest, newspaper reviews of her performances ("Have them copied when they will…
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 Algernon Chase, Oct 8, 1857
Cushman writes to Chase family in Baltimore about their invitation. She alerts them to the fact that Emma Stebbins will accompany her – even though they might have expected to see her still in the company of Matilda Hays (who is, however, as Cushman…
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 C. Adams, Apr 19, 1850 [?]
Charlotte Cushman asks a Mr. Adams to release her from her contract, since April proves to be an unfortunate time for performances in terms of revenue and people attending.
Credit
New York Public Library
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Rosalie Sully [?], Nov 9, [1845]
Cushman describes how strenuous her latest performance of Fazio has been as she had to contend with a "cold audience" and the lacking performance of a fellow actor. But Rosalie's note, which she kept hidden "next her heart" during the play, gave her…
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 Emma Crow Cushman, Aug 21, 1865
Emma will soon travel from Versailles to Paris to meet her sister and mother. Cushman offers Emma some advice for her stay and suggests leaving the baby with the nurse in Versailles so that she has less work on her hands.Cushman is not surprised by…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, Jan 26, 1865
Charlotte Cushman writes to Emma Crow Cushman about her life in Rome, including recent visits by several US Americans (among them, Bishop Whipple of Minnesota and the Astor-family of New York) and about the renovations she intents to start, once…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow Cushman, July 5, 1861
Cushman writes Emma that she will be looking out for her at the Worcester station the following evening in case Emma wants Cushman to stay with her. If not, she will continue to Boston and meet her there on Sunday. Leaving Emma leaves her…
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mr. Child, June 23, 1871
Cushman was pleased by students' speeches at the commencement at Vassar College. In this context, she adds her thoughts on women's suffrage:"I want every woman & every man who earns the money which pays hers [sic] or his rent & knows how to…
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, 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, 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 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 Risley, Dec 12, 1868
Cushman decided to invest in the Seneca Stone Quarry against the will of Wayman Crow who manages her finances.She repeatedly mentions "our good & noble friend" in her letters to Mr Risley and asks for employment for some of her family members.…
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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…