Shakespeare, Past and President: A Presidents' Day Pop-up: Difference between revisions

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Folger call number: [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=221372 Y.c.1432]
Folger call number: [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=221372 Y.c.1432]


[http://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/16441v Digital image of Y.c.1432]
[http://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/16441v Digital image of Y.c.1432]


Our co-founder Emily Clara Jordan Folger lived in Washington, D.C. Her father, Edward Jordan, worked as Solicitor of the Treasury under Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase from 1861-1869, during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations. This note, signed by Lincoln, appoints Benjamin F. Pleasants, another Treasury official, to serve the capacity of Solicitor in Jordan’s absence.
Our co-founder Emily Clara Jordan Folger lived in Washington, D.C. Her father, Edward Jordan, worked as Solicitor of the Treasury under Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase from 1861-1869, during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations. This note, signed by Lincoln, appoints Benjamin F. Pleasants, another Treasury official, to serve the capacity of Solicitor in Jordan’s absence.
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Benjamin F. Pleasants, is hereby appointed to discharge the duties of Solicitor of the Treasury, during the absence of Edward Jordan, the Solicitor.  
Benjamin F. Pleasants, is hereby appointed to discharge the duties of Solicitor of the Treasury, during the absence of Edward Jordan, the Solicitor.  
   
   
Abraham Lincoln  
Abraham Lincoln


==Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)==
==Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)==

Revision as of 10:30, 28 February 2019

Ambox notice.png This article is currently a draft.


Shakespeare, Past and President, a pop-up exhibition at the Folger, was open to the public and took place February 19, 2019, from 1-4 pm in the Board Room. This exhibit was curated by Rachel B. Dankert.

Shakespeare, Past and President assembled vault materials from the collection and institutional archives to demonstrate the numerous connections between Shakespeare, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and past Presidents of the United States of America. Over twenty-five former Presidents were represented in the exhibition, from George Washington to Bill Clinton. Henry and Emily Folger chose to build their research library on Capitol Hill to establish the connection between Shakespeare and American civic life. This exhibit recovered some of that history.

Items included

This section includes the list of items displayed in the pop-up exhibit, divided by President, with the years of Presidential service included with each officials' name.

George Washington, First President (1789-1797)

Bell’s edition of Shakespeare’s plays: as they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London: regulated from the prompt books of each house, by permission, with notes critical and illustrative / by the authors of the Dramatic censor. London: Printed for John Bell, near Exeter Exchange in the Strand, and C. Etherington at York, MDCCLXXIIII [1774].

Folger call number: PR2752 1774b copy 5 v. 1 Sh.Col.

This is the Lewis family copy of Shakespeare, presumed to be from George Washington’s library, with tipped-in typed provenance note signed by "Attaway Lewis, [his] Great grand-niece, April 25, 1897." Attaway Lewis was the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth (Betty) Washington Lewis, sister of George Washington. While we’re not sure that this was in George Washington’s library, we do know that his descendant believed it to be so, speaking to the power of Washington’s name, and Shakespeare’s.

John Adams, Second President (1797-1801)

Quotation from Julius Caesar in the hand of John Adams (2.1.22-28)

Folger call number: Y.d.246

Digital image of Y.d.246

Transcription

Ambition
Brutus in J. Caesar of Shakespeare
Tis a common Proof
That Lowliness is young Ambitions Ladder
Whereunto the climber upwards turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round,
He then unto the Ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.

In a different hand:

I have no autograph signature to spare, but the above is in the handwriting of John Adams.

Thomas Jefferson, Third President (1801-1809)

Copy of letter (incomplete) from Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, Virginia, to Doctor Walter Jones, 1814 January 2

Folger call number: Y.c.1420

Jefferson writes of George Washington:

“He was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern. Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose whatever obstacles opposed.”

James Madison, Fourth President (1809-1817) and James Monroe, Fifth President (1817-1825)

By the President of the United States of America, suffer the Brig Shakespeare, Curtis Holmes master or commander ... to pass with her company, passengers, goods, and merchandize without any hinderance, seisure, or molestation ...

Folger call number: Y.d.942

Signed by President James Madison and then-Secretary of State James Monroe, allowing the brig Shakespeare to land in Savannah, Georgia.

John Quincy Adams, Sixth President (1825-1829)

Autograph letter, signed, to John B. Davis of Boston. Washington DC, 5 January 1830.

Folger call number: Y.c.10 (2) quotes from The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Transcription

John B. Davis Esqr. Boston

Washington, 5. Jany 1830

Dear Sir.

I have received your obliging Letter of 31st. Oct.? It would be gratifying to me to see the full and authentic account which you mention to have been prest? into your hands_The author may be assured that I shall retain no resentment against him for any share he may have had in the transaction; and that if my forgiveness of any injury that he may have done me can set him at ease with himself, he has it freely. I have been accustom'd all my life to forgive my enemies; even those who do not repent, and of those who do I say with Shakesepear

"Who by Repentance is not satisfied,

Is nor of Heaven nor Earth."_

The secret History of the publication to which you refer is no doubt curious as literary and political History, and as such is peculiarly interesting to me. That the man of duplicates should be thirsty for revenge, I suppose ^will^ not be surprizing to any one.

I would readily comply with your request that I would give you my views of public affairs generally were my information such as could be relied upon with confidence of what is public, you have seen much that cannot be approved by me_of interior discensions in the Cabinet there are tales in circulation, the evidence of which is apocryphal, and which must wait the develop[e]ments of Time.

I thank you heartily for your good wishes and reciprocate them with sincerity.

And remain, with respect your friend and Sevt J.Q. Adams

William Henry Harrison, Ninth President (1841, died in office, succeeded by John Tyler)

Mother Shipton investigated : the result of critical examination in the British Museum library, of the literature relating to the Yorkshire sibyl ... London : W.H. Harrison, 1881.

Folger call number: BF1815.S7 H2

In this text, William Henry Harrison (Old Tippecanoe) details the early modern predictions of one “Mother Shipton.” He completed his investigation at the Bristish Museum Library with books published during the early modern period. While he dismisses predictions of the end of the world as a hoax in the first chapter, the rest of the pamphlet discusses the many times Mother Shipton’s predictions came true. book was published in the year of her most concerning prophecy for Harrison and his contemporaries:

“The world to an end shall come
In eighteen hundred eighty one.”

Millard Fillmore, Thirteenth President (1850-1853)

Autograph letter signed from Millard Fillmore to Augustin Daly, 1872 May 25.

Folger call number: Y.c.922 (1)

Transcription

Fifth Avenue Hotel

May 25th 1872

Mr. Augustin Daly,

Sir, Allow me to express my thanks for your kindness in sending me a box ticket for your theater. I seldom attend dramatic representations but having heard of the beauty of the Fifth Avenue Theatre I had a desire to see it, and I am happy to say that all which I had heard in its praise was more than realized. I was also greatly delighted with the performance, and feel that I am indebted to you for a very pleasant evening. With my best wishes for your prosperity,

I am truly yours,

Millard Fillmore

James Buchanan (1857-1861)

Letter from James Buchanan to Delia Bacon, 1856 January 12.

Folger call number: Y.c.2599 (154)

Delia Salter Bacon is the originator of the Baconian theory, which posits that William Shakespeare’s works were written by Sir Francis Bacon. She first published on her theory in 1856, using cipher-based “evidence” from printed texts of Shakespeare’s plays that she decoded. Many of her letters to luminaries of her day are housed in the Folger Shakespeare Library. Correspondents include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and of course the future president James Buchanan.

Transcription

56 Harley St. 12 January 1856 My dear Miss Bacon/

I owe you an apology for not having waited upon you since the receipt of your note; but the truth is that, without a secretary of Legation, my whole time is necessarily occupied with my public duties. I shall, if possible, do myself the pleasure of calling ^upon you^ early next week, unless you should in the mean time favor me with a visit.

With much? respect & regard, I remain, your obed[ien]t servant James Buchanan

Miss Delia S. Bacon.

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865, died in office, succeeded by Andrew Johnson)

Note signed from Abraham Lincoln, Washington, D.C [manuscript], 1864 July 20.

Folger call number: Y.c.1432

Digital image of Y.c.1432

Our co-founder Emily Clara Jordan Folger lived in Washington, D.C. Her father, Edward Jordan, worked as Solicitor of the Treasury under Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase from 1861-1869, during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations. This note, signed by Lincoln, appoints Benjamin F. Pleasants, another Treasury official, to serve the capacity of Solicitor in Jordan’s absence.

Transcription

Washington, July 20th 1864.

Benjamin F. Pleasants, is hereby appointed to discharge the duties of Solicitor of the Treasury, during the absence of Edward Jordan, the Solicitor.

Abraham Lincoln

Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)

Autograph letter signed from Edwin Booth, Gloucester, Massachusetts, to William Winter, 1872 November 10.

Folger call number: Y.c.215 (219)

Edwin Booth was one of the most renowned Shakespearean actors of the 19th century, celebrated for his roles as Hamlet, Richard III, and Iago. He also was brothers with John Wilkes Booth. Although Booth initially retired from public life, he realized the nation did not hold him responsible for the sins of his brother. In this letter Booth writes to his friend and famous theater producer, William Winter about the Presidential election of 1872. Ulysses S. Grant, Commanding General at the end of the Civil War, was re-elected. Before becoming a military hero, Grant worked various odd jobs, including as a tanner.

Edwin Booth quotes Hamlet when he writes: Do you really think Shakespeare predicted Grant's re-election when he said a Tanner would last you some eight or nine year?

Gravedigger: Faith, if he be not rotten before he die

(as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scarce hold the laying in), he will last you some eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine year.

Hamlet: Why he more than another?
Gravedigger: Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his

trade that he will keep out water a great while; and your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. (Hamlet, 5.1.168-179)

James A. Garfield (1881, died in office, succeeded by Chester A. Arthur)

The dramatic works of William Shakspeare: illustrated : embracing a life of the poet, and notes, original and selected.

Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1850-1857.

Folger call number: PR2752 1850-1857 copy 2 Sh.Col.

This copy was owned by James A. Garfield and bears his library bookplate with the motto inter folia fructus, or, “between the leaves are fruit.”

Chester A. Arthur

Romeo and Juliet : a tragedy in five acts / by William Shakespeare (arranged for representation from the text of the second quarto, printed A.D. 1599) ; as performed by Miss Mary Anderson and Company at the Lyceum Theatre, November, 1884.

London : W.S. Johnson, "Nassau Steam Press", 1884.

Folger call number: PR2831 1884b copy 1 Sh.Col.

Marked “For President Arthur” on the front cover, this copy of Romeo and Juliet was presented by Mr. Henry E. Abbey, theatrical manager, producer, and the gentleman who first cast Sarah Bernhardt in American theaters. Included in this copy are also a playbill and program for the production.

Grover Cleveland (1885-89 & 1893-97)

Autograph letters signed from Grover Cleveland to various recipients, 1899-1906.

Folger call number: Y.c.549 (2)

Transcription

March 30, 1906

My dear Mr. Birmingham,

I have received your letter informing me that the Shakespeare Dramatic Club intend to celebrate the birthday of Shakespeare on the 21st of April, and extending to me on behalf of the Club, an invitation to be present on that occasion.

Everything that tends to keep with the memory of Shakespeare between the English and Americans challenges my current intent and approval; I am glad to know that the American people are to be in the celebration.

I will be with you on the occasion you contemplate.

Yours very truly, Grover Cleveland

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

Oliver Cromwell, by Theodore Roosevelt

New York: C. Scribner’s Sons, 1901

Folger call number: DA426. R7

Theodore Roosevelt, naturalist and historian, authored 40 books during his lifetime, all while serving as Police Commissioner of New York City, a Rough Rider, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and President. His biography of Oliver Cromwell closely followed upon one of his more enduring works The Rough Riders. In the introduction to this biography, Roosevelt likens Cromwell’s revolutionary moment to that of other important revolutions, of 1688 in Great Britain, of 1776 in the United States of America, and the American Civil War of 1861 and argues that all of them were fought for the idea of freedom.