Collections

The American literature mss., 1789-2000, consists of an ongoing collection of individual items related to American literature.

The Appleton-Century mss., 1846-1962, consists of the office files of the publishing company, its two predecessors, D. Appleton & Co., and the Century Co., and to a small extent its successor, Appleton-Century Crofts, Inc.

The Bernays mss., 1890-1955, consists of manuscripts collected by Louise (Lee) Bernays, 1888-1974, librarian of The Indianapolis News for twenty-three years.

The central focus of this project is the life of William Fortune, who lived from 1863 to 1942. Interviewees are the daughters of Indiana businessman William Fortune, a friend and father-in-law of Eli Lilly. They tell about their life in Indianapolis at the turn of the century and offer recollections of associations with famous people like the Lillys and James Whitcomb Riley.

The Bobbs-Merrill mss., 1885-1983, consists of the records of book publisher Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., located in Indianapolis, IN.

The Bottsford mss., 1877-1885, consists chiefly of letters from poet James Whitcomb Riley, 1849-1916, to fellow poet Clara Louise Bottsford, 1852-1910.

The Brunn mss., 1879-1921, are the letters and poems of James Whitcomb Riley, 1849-1916, poet, sent to Elizabeth D. Kahle, 1861?-?, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania.

The Callahan mss., 1894-1898, consists of letters, poems, and photographs from or relating to James Whitcomb Riley.

The Catherwood mss., 1880-1902, consists of the letters of writer Mary (Hartwell) Catherwood (Mrs. James Steele Catherwood), 1847-1902, to Mary Elizabeth (Riley) Payne (Mrs. Frank C. Payne), 1864-1936, sister of James Whitcomb Riley.

The Dickey mss., 1872-1941, consists of the papers of John Marcus Dickey, 1859-1950, secretary, platform manager, and biographer of James Whitcomb Riley.