Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his career

Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his career

Correspondence

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

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.”

Letter by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) to an unknown recipient, reflecting on his own career

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

1875 July 10

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 to the original work depicted requires advance notice. Contact Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu for additional information

Hawes Vault Manuscripts

text

1 manuscript letter (4 pages)

English

text

DigID0002203-0002205

Purchased for the Library of Harvard Medical School, 1973