Programs
AAS Seminar in American Bibliography and Book Trade History
Wednesday, April 4, 2001
A Secesh Lady and her Literary Property:
Augusta Jane Evans and Civil War Copyright
Melissa J. Homestead
AAS Mellon Post-Dissertation Fellow and University of Oklahoma
Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at 4:30 p.m.
Elmarion Room, Goddard-Daniels House
190 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
PRCIS:
In his 1884 memoir, New York publisher J.C. Derby relates the story of the
publishing history of Augusta Jane Evans's arch-Confederate novel,
Macaria, during and after the Civil War, and this story has come to define
both Evans's authorship and the fate of Southern literature during the
war. In Derby's telling, he, unbeknownst to Evans, intervened to prevent
a piratical New York publication of the novel during the war and held the
royalties in trust for Evans. The story as Derby tells it is a classic
post-bellum romance of reunion, in which Derby is the gallant Northern
hero and Evans the passive Southern lady rescued from poverty and
destitution, but the true story of Evans and her literary property, which
this presentation will explore, is far more complex than Derby believed.
Refreshments will be provided during the discussion of the paper.
Afterwards, a supper, with wine, will be served in the dining room of the
Goddard-Daniels House at $15.00 per person. The entre will be baked
stuffed Boston scrod. If you prefer a vegetarian entre, please indicate
on the form below. If you wish to stay for supper, please send your check
in that amount to arrive at AAS by Friday, March 30. The Society regrets
that it is unable to make refunds for dinner after that date.
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