The Letters of James Russell Lowell, edited by Charles Eliot Norton, is a two-volume collection (published in 1894) that compiles the personal correspondence of the renowned 19th-century American poet, critic, and diplomat.
Lowell, a key figure in the Fireside Poets group and longtime editor of The Atlantic Monthly, was a witty, erudite, and influential literary voice. His letters reveal his thoughts on literature, politics (including his time as U.S. ambassador to Spain and England), friendships with figures like Longfellow and Emerson, and his sharp, often humorous observations on society.
Norton, a close friend and fellow Harvard professor, curated the collection to reflect Lowell’s intellect and personality. While some Victorian-era discretion was applied in editing, the letters remain valuable for scholars of American literature and history.
