The Traubel correspondence

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Walt Whitman and his Fellowship of Supporters in Bolton, 1891–1913

The Traubel correspondence

Collection: Walt Whitman and his Fellowship of Supporters in Bolton, 1891–1913 Volumes The Traubel correspondence

ZWN/5. Horace Traubel's extensive correspondence focusses primarily on Walt Whitman's life and legacy, Politics, and the Whitman Circle's family and friends. Commencing in Walt Whitman's final years of life, these letters then cover his death, before proceeding to outline how Traubel and the Whitman circle sought to preserve Whitman's legacy in the literary realm and through the preservation of his former home. Traubel also uses this correspondence to expound his theory of a non-statist Socialism on numerous occaisons; he informs the reader that his theory is based upon Whitman's work and its teachings. Traubel's interest in politics is also apparent in his references to a economic depression in the United States during the 1890's and its possible affect on the future of national politics. His interest in English politics is evident in his positive commentary upon the English Labour movement, a reference to House of Lords reform, and his reverence for Keir Hardie. His high regard for Hardie is most evident in his letters regarding the two of them meeting and having supper together with Traubel's family and Fels during Hardie's visit to New York. These letters also include numerous references to 'The Conservator' magazine, the majority of these being allusions to how close the magazine is to bankruptcy and how it is yet to make a profit. Anne Montgomerie Traubel's letters discuss books the she is reading and material that she possesses in regard to Walt Whitman. Her letters also include a detailed account of the death of Horace Traubel and her son Wallace Traubel. Other items in this area discuss a talk she gave on the subject of Walt Whitman's personality. Letters also discuss family matters and the effects of hyper-inflation upon family living standards. The Gertrude Traubel correspondence predominantly consists of her letters to Gertrude's 'Uncle' J.W. Wallace about family events; yet there are also allusions to the Whitman Day Dinner and to the Library of Congress bulletin.

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