Discover the life and circle that shaped a New Bedford literary world.
This collection blends letters, sketches, and poems to illuminate Daniel Ricketson and the friends who inspired him, from the quiet Brooklawn shanty to celebrated Concord circles.
This edition offers a vivid biographical portrait of Ricketson, his abolitionist ideals, and his welcoming home that hosted writers and thinkers of the era. It also traces the friendships that linked New Bedford, Concord, and beyond, including intimate exchanges with Thoreau, Emerson, Alcott, and Channing. Readers gain a window into a rich period of American letters, reform, and conversation.
- Personal portrait of Daniel Ricketson and his inviting Brooklawn home
- The close ties with Henry D. Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and others
- A mix of sketches, letters, and poems that capture the era’s spirit
- Context on abolitionism, Transcendentalism, and 19th‑century literary life
Ideal for readers of American reform history, Transcendentalism, and 19th‑century letters and poetry.