In a May 1891 letter to Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Mabel Loomis Todd included a poem: “I enclose a sonnet written to E. D. out of pure enthusiasm by one of our students here.” The poem was written by LeRoy Phillips, Amherst College class of 1892, in response to his reading of the first volume of Emily Dickinson’s poetry published in 1890. I discussed it HERE. Interestingly, Phillips was not the only person to create a tribute to Dickinson after reading “Poems.” Author and poet George Meredith did as well. I discussed his ode to Dickinson HERE.
Another person to pen a tribute to Dickinson was Mary Elwell Storrs. Supposedly – at least from several sources I’ve read – Storrs’ poem appeared in the May 22, 1891, issue of the Springfield Republican. However, I have red and re-read digitized copies of that publication, and I cannot find Storrs’ poem there at all. I suspect the poem was, indeed, published in the paper; however, I assume scholars – including Mabel Loomis Todd’s daughter Millicent Todd Bingham – have the wrong date – perhaps the wrong month? I’ll keep looking into this to see what I can find.
By the way, I have found the text of the poem (shown below), just not a copy of it in its original publication source – and Storrs’ paean to the Belle of Amherst, entitled “Emily Dickinson 1830-1886,” has an interesting backstory.
Another person to pen a tribute to Dickinson was Mary Elwell Storrs. Supposedly – at least from several sources I’ve read – Storrs’ poem appeared in the May 22, 1891, issue of the Springfield Republican. However, I have red and re-read digitized copies of that publication, and I cannot find Storrs’ poem there at all. I suspect the poem was, indeed, published in the paper; however, I assume scholars – including Mabel Loomis Todd’s daughter Millicent Todd Bingham – have the wrong date – perhaps the wrong month? I’ll keep looking into this to see what I can find.
By the way, I have found the text of the poem (shown below), just not a copy of it in its original publication source – and Storrs’ paean to the Belle of Amherst, entitled “Emily Dickinson 1830-1886,” has an interesting backstory.
Dickinson died in 1886, and only a handful of her poems were published in her lifetime -- and none of those were attributed to her. Up until the early 1980s, scholars reported that a mere seven of her poems had been published. However, in the early 1980s, researcher and Dickinson scholar Karen Dandurand discovered that three other poems had been published in “The Drum Beat,” a pro-union magazine published thirteen times during the duration of the Long Island Fair for the Benefit of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, from February to March 1864 (a bonus issue was published on 11 March 1864). That publication was edited by Richard Salter Storrs.
Did you catch that last name? Richard Salter Storrs was married to Mary Elwell Storrs, the woman who wrote the poem I have shared today.
And get this – a 2013 article entitled “Emily Dickinson and the New York Press” by Mike Kelly, Head of Archives & Special Collections, at Amherst College provides this information:
“Storrs and his wife, Mary, developed an intimate relationship with Austin and Susan Dickinson beginning in 1862. Mrs. Storrs became acquainted with Samuels Bowles (the published of the Springfield Republican) while they were taking a water cure in Northampton. Bowles having become very fond of the Storrses introduced them to Austin and Susan. After the introduction, the Storrses stayed at the Evergreens, the home of Austin and Sue Dickinson, when they visited Amherst, which they did at least once a year when they returned for the annual graduation (18-19). During the early 1860s, Emily Dickinson spent a great deal of time at the Evergreens; therefore, it is possible that during these visits Dickinson became acquainted with the Storrses, and began a correspondence with Mary Elwell Storrs who often helped her husband in his pastoral and editing duties.”
Sooo….how’s that for an intriguing connection? BTW, the complete article is HERE.
I’ll have discussion about Storrs’ poem tomorrow. SPOILER ALERT: The poem is fascinating and includes a number of unmistakable surprises.
NOTE: We’re definitely getting snow and ice tonight and tomorrow, and there’s a good chance we’ll lose power & internet access, so my commentary on Storrs’ poem could be delayed. ; )
And get this – a 2013 article entitled “Emily Dickinson and the New York Press” by Mike Kelly, Head of Archives & Special Collections, at Amherst College provides this information:
“Storrs and his wife, Mary, developed an intimate relationship with Austin and Susan Dickinson beginning in 1862. Mrs. Storrs became acquainted with Samuels Bowles (the published of the Springfield Republican) while they were taking a water cure in Northampton. Bowles having become very fond of the Storrses introduced them to Austin and Susan. After the introduction, the Storrses stayed at the Evergreens, the home of Austin and Sue Dickinson, when they visited Amherst, which they did at least once a year when they returned for the annual graduation (18-19). During the early 1860s, Emily Dickinson spent a great deal of time at the Evergreens; therefore, it is possible that during these visits Dickinson became acquainted with the Storrses, and began a correspondence with Mary Elwell Storrs who often helped her husband in his pastoral and editing duties.”
Sooo….how’s that for an intriguing connection? BTW, the complete article is HERE.
I’ll have discussion about Storrs’ poem tomorrow. SPOILER ALERT: The poem is fascinating and includes a number of unmistakable surprises.
NOTE: We’re definitely getting snow and ice tonight and tomorrow, and there’s a good chance we’ll lose power & internet access, so my commentary on Storrs’ poem could be delayed. ; )
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