Sherman William

William T. Sherman Declines Offer to Publish Wife's Memoirs 11 Months before her Death

2pp letter signed by controversial Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) as "W.T. Sherman" at the center of the third page. The letter, penned in an immaculate secretarial hand, was written in New York City on January 9, 1888. On plain cream bifold paper, the second and fourth pages blank. Expected light paper folds and isolated stains. Minor mounting traces on the last page, else near fine. 5.25" x 7.875".

William J. Bok (born 1861) had contacted Sherman seeking permission to write a biography of Sherman's wife, Eleanor Boyle Ewing Sherman (1824-1888).

In part:

"I have received your friendly and courteous communication in the matter of the proposed publication of a sketch of the life of Mrs Sherman.

While I appreciate the motive which prompts you in the undertaking of a such a work I am constrained to request that at this time, and in fact for some time to come, that no extended notice of her career and character be published.

In this conclusion I am joined by my children who with me are cognizant of their mother's wish in this connection.

Should such a publication at any time be contemplate I will take pleasure in conferring with you in relation thereto…"

Sherman's wife Eleanor was famous in her own right. She was very active politically before and during the Civil War, and personally lobbied President Lincoln to dismiss charges of insanity leveled against her husband in 1862. Three of Eleanor's brothers were Union Generals as well as her husband. A devout Catholic, Eleanor supported Indian mission schools and organized a splendid American reception for Pope Pius IX's Jubilee.

The timing of this letter is disconcerting since Eleanor died just 11 months later, in November 1888. Bok proposed that only Eleanor's "career and character" be examined, yet all too soon, and if his proposal had been accepted, it could have been a posthumous memoir.

William and Eleanor's children supported the decision not to publish. Their six surviving children were: Maria (1851-1913), Mary (1852-1925), Thomas (1856-1933), Eleanor (1859-1915), Rachel (1861-1919), and Philemon (1867-1941).

William J. Bok emigrated to the United States in 1870. He edited the Brooklyn Magazine before collaborating with brother Edward to edit The Bok Literary Syndicate Press, a service which facilitated the newspaper publication of famous authors' works.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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