Benjamin Penhollow Shillaber Collection 1857-1890

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Benjamin Penhollow Shillaber Collection, Accession 7493, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Benjamin Penhollow Shillaber Collection, Accession 7493, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

[Appreciates invitation to meet his family, but cannot come; explains how he named his character "Mrs. Partington"; congratulates him on his prominent name.]

[Thanks him for copies of Partington's school paper and yearbook; says book helped him forget about stalled writing; congratulates him belatedly on becoming headmaster of the Academy; regrets that he cannot contribute to the Winter Memorial Library although he admires the project dedicated to his friend.]

[Discusses the connection between the fictitious Mrs. Partington and Partington's mother; says he is puzzled that Lippincott's Dictionary embodied "Mrs. Partington"; promises a book for the Winter Library; hopes Partington and Mr. Winter will visit him.]

[Refers to his letter and school catalog; says he is enjoying visit to his daughter's family; speaks about his health, his approaching 75th birthday, and the fictional Mrs. Partington; discusses his admiration for William Winter, his early recognition of Winter's genius, and his prediction for Winter's future success; says he is disappointed that Winter does not have similar regard for his own work.]

[Asks if he has a teaching position for his niece, Emilie N. de Rochemont, a Wellesleygraduate; asks if he knows of any positions at other schools.]

[Declines invitation to his wedding; sends a poem written for the occasion along with his congratulations and blessings.]

[Signed by Benjamin Penhallow Shillaberwith quotation: "The assumed to Mrs. Partington to the real Mrs. Partington."]

Acquisition information:
Purchase [ 1964 Mar 23] 1964 May 4
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
7 items