The Lilly Library is the rare books, manuscripts, and special collections library of the Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington. Its collections represent a diversity of subjects, including literature; children’s literature; history; folklore; science; radio, film and television; book collecting and bookselling; journalism; and translation.
Consists of the papers of Charles Willing Byrd. A member of the prominent Virginia family of that name, Byrd became deeply interested in the Shaker movement, and one of his sons, William Silonwe Byrd, joined the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. For the years 1826-1828, a considerable portion of the collection consists of letters from this son, dealing with the beliefs of the Shakers and the affairs of Pleasant Hill. The collection also includes letters to Charles Willing Byrd from members of his family, in regard to family matters. Letters from an aunt refer to the death of Washington and to conditions in Philadelphia during the War of 1812. Some light on medical practices of the day is given in letters, 1826-1828, to Byrd from his physicians, prescribing treatment for him.
The India mss., 1757-1947, consist of letters, writings, business, and other documents relating to India, accumlated from various sources by Glenn Horowitz.
The Indiana History mss., 1725-1973, consists of individual items related to the history of the state of Indiana, acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources.
The Johnson, J. mss., ca. 1740-1759, consists of materials devised by Jane (Russell) Johnson primarily for the instruction of her son, George William Johnson. The materials consist of 438 items and are arranged in 24 groups. Included are alphabet cards, religious and secular lesson cards, all hand-made. Some contain colored illustrations and are decorated with multi-colored Dutch paper.
The Latin American mss. Bolivia, 1606-1927, are illustrative chiefly of the colonial life of Alto Peru and of Bolivia's long struggle for independence from Spain.
The Latin American mss. --Brazil, 1639-1871, consists of individual items acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources, relating to Brazil. Additions continue to be made.