The period in Burrough' s life covered in this journal includes the death of his mother, the assassination of President Garfield, the passing of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the death of his favorite dog. He includes his usual reports on weather and nature, but also muses frequently on life and death.
Subjects of particular note in this journal include Burroughs' visit with Walt Whitman on the New Jersey shore at Ocean Grove; as well as his thoughts about the writings of Charles Darwin, Thomas Carlyle, and Ralph Waldo Emerson
This journal includes Burroughs' usual musings on nature as well as notes on authors he was reading, particularly Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson. There are also long passages about his father, who died in January 1884, accompanied by a brief family history.
The time period covered in this journal was a fairly quiet period for Burroughs. He makes frequent reference to the death of his father, and later in the journal discusses faith and his thoughts on prayer and the Bible.
During the period covered in this journal, Burroughs published Fresh Fields (1885) and much of the journal relates to his writing and research. There is also a description of his visit with Walt Whitman in Philadelphia in December 1885.
During the period covered in this journal, Burroughs published Fresh Fields (1885) and much of the journal relates to his writing and research. There is also a description of his visit with Walt Whitman in Philadelphia in December 1885.
During the period covered in this journal, Burroughs published Fresh Fields (1885) and much of the journal relates to his writing and research. There is also a description of his visit with Walt Whitman in Philadelphia in December 1885.
Burroughs focuses most of his musings on religion in this journal.
In this brief journal, Burroughs describes a summer visit with Walt Whitman. He also reminisces about his first experiences away from home.
John Burroughs (1837-1921) was a noted naturalist, essayist and a significant figure in the history of environmentalism. He was born in a small town in the Catskills and spent the bulk of his adult life in West Park. Note: not all of the journals include a transcription, so a keyword search of the
Picture of John Schoonbeek at Vassar College's LGBTQ Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Picture of John Schoonbeek at Vassar College's LGBTQ Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Here you will find digitized archival collections, oral histories, and more. We are continually expanding the collections and improving access. You may find additional digital resources that reside outside the digital library here, and a selection of Online Exhibitions here.
Collections Overview
The Archives & Special Collections Library is part of the Vassar College Libraries system. It holds the rare book, manuscript, and archival collections of the college. It collects, preserves, and makes available rare and unique collections, and also engages in teaching and outreach activities. This collection of finding aids describe items in both the Virginia B. Smith Memorial Manuscript Collection and the College Archives.
The Vassar College herbarium holds over 8,000 specimens of vascular plants, bryophytes, and algae. Holdings are primarily from northeastern North America, and include collections made by several notable 19th century botanists. To learn more about this project visit the website here.
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