Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his career
Dublin Core
Title
Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his career
Subject
Correspondence
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894
Description
In this letter to an unknown correspondent, Holmes reflects on his career and activities: “My mode of life is rather solitary than social, though I have contributed my share of hilarity to scores of festivals and am almost entitled to be called the laureate of our local receptions of great personages …. I have long ceased to practice, but keep my professorship in the Medical School of Harvard University which occupies and amuses me for seven months of the year. I go to a dinner party once in a while and once a month to the Saturday Club where I meet Emerson, Longfellow, Lowell, and in other years used to meet Agassiz, Sumner, Motley, Hawthorne, and many others of more or less name and note…. But I find my sympathies not less active because I live a good deal out of the world and because I find myself so much at home among what are called elderly people—not, of course, recognizing myself as one of them…. It is the best reward of authorship to be greeted in terms of friendship, nay, something like affection by those whom our words have cheered, comforted, consoled, strengthened, stimulated, if not instructed.”
Abstract
Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) to an unknown recipient, reflecting on his own career
Creator
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894
Date Created
1875 July 10
Rights
The Harvard Medical Library does not hold copyright on all materials in this collection. For use information, consult Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu
Access Rights
Access to the original work depicted requires advance notice. Contact Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu for additional information
Is Part Of
Hawes Vault Manuscripts
Format
text
Extent
1 manuscript letter (4 pages)
Language
English
Type
text
Identifier
DigID0002203-0002205
Provenance
Purchased for the Library of Harvard Medical School, 1973
Files
Collection
Citation
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894, “Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his career,” OnView, accessed April 27, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/6333.