William and Henry James

by James, William; Berkeley, Elizabeth M.; McDermott, John J.; James, Henry; Skrupskelis, Ignas K.

• ISBN13: 9780813916941
• ISBN10: 0813916941
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-05-01
• Publisher: Univ of Virginia Pr

Summary

William and Henry James are well known for their master works of psychology and fiction respectively, but the celebrated brothers amassed an impressive collection of letters to one another as well. Through their copious correspondence, readers are privy to the private thoughts of these intellectual heavyweights. Sure, their letters expound on philosophical, political, social, and cultural subjects with imagination and wit, but more often they focus on the quotidian: health, news of friends and family, mutual praise, advice, complaints, and good-natured ribbing. What makes these 216 epistles remarkable is the quality of writing and the keen observations made by the brothers James during their wide and frequent travels across America and Europe. The letters contained in William and Henry James: Selected Letters span more than 50 years and are infused with the history and events of their era. This volume illuminates each man's distinct personality and reveals the relationship the two crafted out of equal parts of criticism and support.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii	(22)
John J. McDermott
Editor's Note	xxix	(4)
Abbreviations	xxxiii
The Letters	1	(522)
1861-1868	1	(34)
1869-1870	35	(42)
1872-1873	77	(16)
1874-1875	93	(10)
1876	103	(6)
1877	109	(4)
1878	113	(7)
1879	120	(6)
1880-1881	126	(7)
1882-1883	133	(25)
1884-1885	158	(21)
1886	179	(8)
1887	187	(9)
1888	196	(16)
1889	212	(20)
1890	232	(17)
1891-1892	249	(26)
1893-1894	275	(40)
1895-1896	315	(27)
1897-1898	342	(21)
1899	363	(29)
1900	392	(10)
1901	402	(11)
1902	413	(6)
1903	419	(17)
1904	436	(17)
1905	453	(16)
1906	469	(12)
1907	481	(15)
1908	496	(5)
1909	501	(13)
1910	514	(9)
Biographical Register	523	(26)
Index	549