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Notebooks filled with Nelson's ideas and notes on art and poetry, as well as various other subjects, such as translations, women, liberty and democracy, and Americanization, which last shows his bitterness at not having achieved recognition as a creative artist in this country. Also included are quotations from numerous writers (including Samuel Loveman's "The triumph of anarchy" copied from the author's manuscript), with his criticisms on several of them (Stagnelius, a Swedish poet, Amy Lowell, Swinburne, Ezra Pound), on Gounod and Berlioz, on the sculptor Flaxman, and on Nietzsche. There are drafts of letters to various people, and to newspaper editors. Of particular interest is the letter to Hart Crane (see Notebook 1920 November-1921 June), circa May 1921, on whom he had considerable influence, even though their friendship was of brief duration.
Cataloged.
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This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Ernest W. Nelson papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Source of acquisition--612838. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Accession number--M-59.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.
2021-01-22 EAD document created by CCR.
Ernest W. Nelson, born in Norway, came to America at age fifteen. His attendance at an art school in Washington, D.C. was financed by an aunt, who withdrew her support from him when this school was over. Forced into lithography to earn a living, Nelson never again pursued a career in fine arts, and his burgeoning talent in poetry was stunted at this same time. His interests continued, however. He is known to have built a fine private library which was open to many, including Hart Crane.
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