IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0103 MS ADD 378
Held at: University College London
Title: Aguilar Papers
Date(s): 1831-1853
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 2 boxes
Name of creator(s): Aguilar | Grace | 1816-1847 | writer
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Born in Hackney to Jewish parents of Spanish descent, Grace Aguilar was a novelist and writer on Jewish history and religion. She had delicate health from infancy and was chiefly educated at home, developing a great interest in the history of the Jewish race, and an aptitude for music. She began writing at an early age; in her twelfth year she wrote a drama entitled 'Gustavus Vasa' and at fifteen began a series of poems that was published in the collection Magic Wreath in 1835. In the same year she was attacked by a severe illness from which she never completely recovered. Her health also declined when, as a result of her father's death, she was forced to depend on her writings for a portion of her livelihood until her death twelve years later. Her chief work on the Jewish religion was Spirit of Judaism, first published in America in 1842. Other works include: The Jewish Faith, The Women of Israel and Sabbath Thoughts and Sacred Communings. Grace Aguilar is, however, better known for her novels which, with the exception of Home Influence, a tale for mothers and daughters, were published after her death. Her novels, A Mother's Recompense, Vale of Cedars, Woman's Friendship, Days of Bruce, a story from Scottish history, and Home Scenes and Heart Studies, are highly sentimental, intensely religious, and mainly deal with the ordinary incidents of domestic life.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers, 1831-1853, of Grace Aguilar. The first part of the collection consists of her manuscript notebooks. The second part is manuscript material in other hands, consisting of a book of tributes to Aguilar, a description of her last illness, and an account for the administration of her estate. The collection also contains copies of several of her printed works.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Conditions governing access:
Open.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Normal copyright restrictions apply.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Handlist.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Indefinite loan to University College London Library since December 1990 from The Jewish Museum of London.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: 1999