Collection of Ambrose Bierce papers, 1875-1925,, bulk bulk 1890-1913

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Summary

Creators:
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?
Abstract:
Contains outgoing correspondence, including letters to his daughter Helen D. Cowden, a young friend Amy L. Wells, fellow writers William Chambers Morrow and James Tufts, and publisher Walter Neale. See container list for a complete listing of correspondents. Also includes a sketch of Bierce by Wells, clippings about and by Bierce, writings by Amy L. Wells, a letter to Wells asking for information pertaining to Bierce's disappearance, and poems by brother Albert Sherwood Bierce. The album of letters to Helen D. Cowden includes two photographs of Ambrose Bierce, a copy of a poem, and transcriptions of Bierce's letters to his daughter.
Extent:
Number of containers: 2 boxes, 1 volume, and 1 oversize folder Linear feet: 0.75
Language:
Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

Contains outgoing correspondence, including letters to his daughter Helen D. Cowden, a young friend Amy L. Wells, fellow writers William Chambers Morrow and James Tufts, and publisher Walter Neale. See container list for a complete listing of correspondents. Also includes a sketch of Bierce by Wells, clippings about and by Bierce, writings by Amy L. Wells, a letter to Wells asking for information pertaining to Bierce's disappearance, and poems by brother Albert Sherwood Bierce. The album of letters to Helen D. Cowden includes two photographs of Ambrose Bierce, a copy of a poem, and transcriptions of Bierce's letters to his daughter.

Biographical / historical:

Ambrose Bierce, born June 24, 1842 in Meigs County, Ohio, was an American author best known for his satire and supernatural stories. Many of his stories also came from his experiences serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

After the war, Bierce moved to San Francisco, where he worked on several publications including Overland Monthly, the San Francisco Argonaut, the Wasp, and the San Francisco Examiner. In 1896, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he lobbied for William Randolph Hearst while still contributing to many newspapers and magazines.

Bierce married Mollie Day, a wealthy miner's daughter, in 1871, and they had two sons, Day and Leigh, and a daughter, Helen. The couple separated in 1888, then divorced in 1905.

Late in 1913, Ambrose Bierce joined Pancho Villa in the Mexican Revolution, where all trace of Bierce was lost. It is believed that Bierce probably died in the battle of Ojinaya on January 11, 1914.

Acquisition information:
The Collection of Ambrose Bierce Papers were given to and purchased by The Bancroft Library from various sources over many years. Items in the collection are identified with respect to provenance on folders.
Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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