Archive correspondence—RESTRICTED.

The collection consists of papers preserved by Clare Benedict in memory of her aunt, the American author Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840 – 1894).  The contents partially document Woolson’s literary career, including original manuscripts and reviews of her work, as well as the literary ambitions of her family, in particular those of her niece, Clare Benedict.  Very well documented is Benedict’s gift of the Woolson House to Rollins College, largely expressed through the correspondence between Benedict and the College’s president at the time, Hamilton Holt.  The formation and development of a literary society in Woolson’s honor is similarly well recorded.  Though personal correspondence does exist, the collection does not thoroughly record Woolson’s personal relationships.  In contrast, Benedict’s are particularly well documented, and it is worthwhile to note that she shared many of her aunt’s acquaintances, such as Henry James.  The collection consists of Woolson’s literary contributions; family information, including genealogy and correspondence; the connection between Benedict and the College, particularly in regard to their joint venture, the Woolson memorial; the beginnings of and contributions from the Woolson Society; photographs of the collection’s inventory, places of significance to Woolson and her family, and the conferences of the Woolson Society; and media documenting the Society’s events, including both VHS cassettes and DVDs.