Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Bates, Dewey, 1851-1898
- Abstract:
- The Bates, Dewey mss., 1888-1889, consists of correspondence primarily between artist Dewey Bates, 1851-1898; his wife, Kate, 1860-1948; and his brother, Stockton, 1843-1916, president of the Bridesburg Manufacturing Company.
- Extent:
- 4 Folders
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Bates, Dewey mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Dewey Bates, 1851-1898, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 22, 1851, to Leone Calendar, 1818-1899, and stockbroker David Bates, 1809-1870. His older brother Stockton, 1843-1916, later became the president of Bridesburg Manufacturing Company. Bates became interested in art as a child, and studied art in Europe after graduating from high school in 1870. He established himself as an artist in London in the 1870s and married Londoner Kate Mary Feetum, 1860-1948, in 1887. Bates only returned to the United States twice: in 1888, to paint a portrait of his former classmate, Pennsylvania governor Robert Emory Pattison, 1850-1904, and in 1896, to present an exhibition of his work at the Art Club of Philadelphia. He died in Hastings, England, in July 1898.
- Scope and Content:
This collection consists of 13 complete letters (signed by Dewey Bates), 2 large letter fragments, and group of smaller fragments. Also included are 8 letters from his wife, Kate, written during his illness and subsequent death. There is also one letter from R. W. Scott, a friend. All letters in this collection were written to Bate's brother, Stockton.
Bates' letters concern his work and poverty. Kate's letters describe his suffering in his last months and the circumstances of his death. She occasionally refers to him by his nickname, "Drop" (believed to be a play on the "dew" in his name).
Scope and content notes are provided courtesy of Rena Corey of Mrs. Hudson's Fine Books and Paper.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 2016
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged following original order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Short
Indexed Terms
- Names:
- Bates, Dewey, 1851-1898
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Bates, Dewey mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu