James R. Randall letter to Charles F. Gunther and poem My Maryland!

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0715

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From bookseller description:

RANDALL, James R. Autograph Transcription of My Maryland!, and an Autograph Letter conveying the poem, to C.F. Gunther of Chicago. Each signed and dated.

The poem consists of 9 8-line stanzas, 3 pp. on rectos of 3 sheets of ruled notepaper; the ALS, one page on ruled paper. 4 to, Augusta, Ga.: 3 June, 1884 (letter); "1861-1884" transcription). Fine. From the Collection of James S. Copley.

In response to Gunther's request, Randall writes: "Your favor of April 22 reached me at Washing ton. I have been very busy and postponed writing you from day to day. - Enclosed, enclosed, however, you have not only my poem of "Maryland," but also a photograph [not present] "I was almost a boy when this was written, at Pointe Coupee. La., and its origin was very peculiar. "Send me the bonbons in care of the Chronicle Office, Augusta, Ga. "My poem will certainly repose in distinguished company, who will, I hope, not be ashamed of it. .. "

Processing Note:

The poem My Maryland! later became better known as the Maryland state song, Maryland, My Maryland.

Dates

Creation: 1884 - 1884

Creator

Randall, James Ryder, 1839-1908 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

James Ryder Randall (1839-1908) was a native of Maryland teaching in Louisiana during the early days of the Civil War, when, upon hearing the news of that Union troops were marching through Baltimore, he penned the poem, Maryland, My Maryland! which became popular in Maryland and throughout the South. It was adopted as as the State song in 1939. Charles Frederick Gunther (1837-1920) was a German-American confectioner and collector. He purchased many of the items now owned by the Chicago History Museum.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

James Ryder Randall (1839-1908) was a native of Maryland and penned the poem, Maryland, My Maryland! which was adopted as the state song in 1939. The collection includes autograph transcriptions of a letter to Charles F. Gunther of Chicago and the accompanying aforementioned poem.