Ernest W. Nelson papers, 1899-1921

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Cataloged.

• Series I: Correspondence, Poems, Sketchbook, and Miscellaneous Items
• Series II: Notebooks, circa 1910-1921

Description

Summary

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.

• Series I: Correspondence, Poems, Sketchbook, and Miscellaneous Items

• Series II: Notebooks, circa 1910-1921

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Ernest W. Nelson papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--612838. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Accession number--M-59.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Revision Description

2021-01-22 EAD document created by CCR.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

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.