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Sidney Lanier Collection
1852-2005
[bulk 1864-1985 ]
MS 14
Descriptive Summary
| Creator: |
Lanier, Sidney |
| Title: |
Sidney Lanier Collection |
| Dates: |
1852-2005 |
| Abstract: |
This collection consists of items pertaining to the person of Sidney Lanier, his
family, his work, and his influence upon American and especially Georgian
society. |
| Quantity: |
1.5 cubic feet |
Administrative History
Sidney Clopton Lanier was born February 3, 1842 in Macon, GA to Robert Sampson
Lanier and Mary Jane Anderson. He only had one sibling, a brother by the name of
Clifford Lanier. In 1857, Sidney entered Oglethorpe College, then located in
Midway, GA (two miles from Milledgeville) and enrolled there to study for
several years. Under the guidance and influence of Dr. James Wilson (uncle to
Woodrow Wilson), he developed a great passion for science and applying it to
everyday life (especially the fields of music and poetry). Upon graduation and
by the persuasion of Dr. Woodrow, Lanier stayed on at the University to continue
as a tutor for a short while. Following Oglethorpe, Lanier tried to follow in
his family's wish by practicing law, but could not become interested in this
field. Shortly thereafter, the Civil War began and Lanier joined the Confederate
army working as a blockade runner until his capture; in which during his
imprisonment, Sidney contracted tuberculosis which would plague him the rest of
his life and eventually lead to his death. In the following years, Sidney
returned back to his hometown of Macon in which he wed a Mary Day in 1867 and
proceeded to father four sons by her. The years following would be a journey by
first Sidney alone and Mary following with the family throughout Maryland, New
York, and even San Antonio where his goals were to find a cure for his illness,
pursue his dream within the arts, that is continuing to write poetry and even
played flute within the orchestra at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. His
passion and talent in music presented itself in various forms from being a first
flute, writing music scores, and especially of poetry influenced by the the
music. During these years, Lanier would become well-known for his performances
and would eventually join the faculty at Johns Hopkins University and become a
popular lecturer during his day. His illness, though, caused him to become quite
weak until in 1881 Lanier with his family went to the mountains of North
Carolina in hopes the air would rejuvenate him, but instead this came to be his
final resting place.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by medium, sub-arranged chronologically.
Description
This collection consists of documents and items pertaining to Sidney Lanier, his
immediate family, close friends, association with Oglethorpe University, and
ties with Georgia history. The items include newspaper clippings, printed
materials, commemorative stamps, music scores, postcards, and original letters.
Restrictions
None.
Subject Headings
Lanier, Sidney, 1942-1881
Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881, Bibliography
Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881, Correspondence
Lanier Papers, 1877-1922
Poets, American -- 19th century
Lanier, Mary Day, Correspondence
Monroe, Blanche Kell
Administrative Information
| Preferred Citation: |
Please cite Sidney Lanier Collection, MS 14, Archives, Philip Weltner Library,
Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia. Permission to publish from this
collection must be approved in writing by the Director of the Library,
Oglethorpe University. |
Folder List
Box 1
Folder 1. Clippings (copies), 1913-1996
Folder 2. Printed Materials, 1952, 1967
Folder 3. Printed Materials, 1940, 1947, 1960, 1992
Folder 4. Pamphlets, 1992
Folder 5. Pamphlets, 1921, 1942
Folder 6. Busts, 1985, 1991, 2005
Folder 7. Lanier Collections at Other Institutions
Folder 8. International Exhibition Program, 1876
Folder 9. Correspondence re: Lanier, 1941, 1962, 1985, 1991, 1992
Folder 10. Commemorative Stamp, 1941, 1972
Folder 11. Postcards, Stationary
Folder 12. Sidney Lanier Poetry Award, 1962, 1963
Folder 13. Sidney Lanier Room - Lupton Hall (OU)
Folder 14. Ephemera
Folder 15. Sheet Music
Folder 16. Poems
Folder 17. Newspaper Clippings (originals), 1913-1996
Box 2
Folder 1. Writings by Lanier
Folder 2. Letters, 1878-1890
Folder 3. Letters from Mary Lanier, 1852-1916
Folder 4. Letters to Mary Lanier, 1873-1916
Folder 5. Letters to Mrs. Blanche Kell, 1864-1910
Folder 6. Lanier Family Correspondence, 1863-1871
Folder 7. Letters from Sidney Lanier, Jr., 1900-1907
Folder 8. Letters, Family & Friends, 1912
Folder 9. Transcribed Copies of Letters
Box that held the "Letters of Mary Day Lanier - Wife of Sidney Lanier"
Further Information
This collection contains some items in which the relevance may be unknown to the
researcher.
Anna Ruby Falls - one of Lanier's famous poems is entitled "The Song of the
Chattahoochee" in which these falls are the juncture as to where the first major
river (Smith creek) joins the Chattahoochee.
St. Simon's Island - one of the largest Golden Isles near Tybee Island
situated directly across from the Marshes of Glynn, immortalized in the poem
"The Marshes of Glynn" by Lanier.
James Larwood - His collection at the Georgia Historical Society contains one
of the finest collections of Georgiana in existence
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Archives Contact:
librarian@oglethorpe.edu
404-364-8885
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