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.

Thompson, Ruth Brown (1829-1904) to Alexander M. Ross

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 #: GLC03007.47 Author/Creator: Thompson, Ruth Brown (1829-1904) Place Written: Pasadena, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 April 1897 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy

Wishes to know the cause of his grief, which he mentioned in a previous letter. Hopes he will visit California, and that they can finally meet. Wishes to introduce him to her grandson, who also has a strong love of nature. Discusses other family matters.

Ruth Brown Thompson was John Brown's daughter.
Alexander M. Ross was a famous Canadian naturalist, also a prominent abolitionist and a strong supporter of John Brown.

Thompson, Ruth Brown, 1829-1904
Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897
Brown, John, 1800-1859

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources