Edith Newbold Jones Wharton (1862-1937), renowned American author, was born on January 24, 1862, into a wealthy New York family. Edith’s family lived between New York and their summer cottage in Newport, Rhode Island. Edith married Edward R. Wharton in 1885 and together they lived between homes in New York, Newport, and Massachusetts until they divorced in 1913.
Edith Wharton used her upbringing as inspiration for her novels and short stories. Throughout her lifetime she published twenty-two novels, eleven collections of short stories, two poetry volumes, four travel books, and an autobiography among other works of non-fiction, articles, and translations. Her most critically acclaimed works include
Wharton died at her home in France on August 11, 1937, at the age of seventy-five.
Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Edith Wharton letters, RLC.Ms.569, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
This collection consists of two original letters and photocopies of letters written to members of Newport society such as Mrs. Morris in the care of Horace Gallatin, Mrs. Gallatin, and members of the King family including LeRoy King (1857-1895), his wife Ethel Rhinelander King (1857-1925), and their daughter Ethel King Russell (1895-1971). In these letters, Wharton maintains friendly correspondence relating various travel plans, social outings, mutual acquaintances, and her work. Also included are typed transcriptions of each letter.
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Gift of Elizabeth Morris Smith, 1988 Nov 10
Prior to processing in 2014, this collection was found within the Steel Cabinet collection: Drawer 7, Folder 13.
Edith Wharton Collection. Yale Collection of American Literature. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
The original letters were owned by Nicholas King of New York City at the time these copies were donated by Mrs. Smith. It is not apparent whether these original letters are still in the possession of the King family or in another repository.