Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Letters of Thomas Willis White to Nathaniel Beverley Tucker, Accession #258, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was loaned to the Library on December 12, 1938 by James Southall Wilson of the University of Virginia, and made a gift on May 1, 1965 by Wilson's daughter, Mrs. Charles Davison. The originals are owned by Mrs. George P. Coleman of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of typescripts of 55 letters, 1834-1840, from Thomas W. White to Nathaniel Beverley Tucker. Thomas Willis White (1788-1843) was the printer and founder of the Southern Literary Messenger . After establishing a successful printing business in Richmond, Virginia, White contracted to reprint the Journal of both houses of the Virginia Assembly from 1777 to 1790 and the convention of 1778. He also printed books by local authors. The first issue of the Southern Literary Messenger came off the press in August 1834 under White's direction. In the same year, White began a correspondence with Judge Nathaniel Beverley Tucker of the College of William and Mary. Tucker's editorial advice influenced White enormously, as well as the advice he received from Lucian Minor. Edgar Allan Poe began contributing to the Messenger in 1835, and by the end of that year, he became its editor. However, White was not satisfied with Poe's editorial style, and was relieved when he left the position in 1837. After this period, White relied heavily on Tucker and Minor for editorial advice. This collection is part of White and Tucker's correspondence over editorial issues for the Messenger .

Nathaniel Beverley Tucker (1784-1851) was appointed a professor of law at William and Mary in 1834, and he remained in this position until his death. He was most influential as a lecturer and correspondent. Through his letter writing, he spread his political views, probably the chief of which was his belief in state sovereignty. He wrote and published three novels that were centered on his political views.