Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Brown, John Jr. (1821-1895) to Alexander M. Ross [Fragment]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.07 Author/Creator: Brown, John Jr. (1821-1895) Place Written: Put-In-Bay, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1878 Pagination: 1 p. ; 28.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Second page of a two page letter, first page missing. Thanks the recipient for sending him a copy of "The Lincoln Memorial Album." Says the recipient's contribution to the book "interested me greatly" and that "I had not before quite understood, and therefore had not duly appreciated Mr Lincoln." Has sent a photograph of himself and Owen, hopes the recipient plans to visit, and looks forward to conversations concerning "every department of scientific enquiry." Recipient inferred from content.

Alexander M. Ross was a famous Canadian naturalist, also a prominent abolitionist and a strong supporter of John Brown.

[excerpt]
[1] "The Lincoln Memorial Album." Your contribution to the Volume interested me greatly. Strange as it may seem, I had not before quite understood, and therefore had not duly appreciated Mr Lincoln. I had not given him [inserted: the] credit he deserved on the score of lofty sentiment and purpose. I thank you for the book which has opened my eyes...

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895
Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897
Brown, John, 1800-1859

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources