Tarbell on Sandburg: "He has stirred Lincoln up..."

[Rob Wick]

In going through Ida Tarbell's papers, I've found a few references to Sandburg, but tonight I came across this which I think encapsulates just what Sandburg meant to a lot of people.

In a letter written on January 25, 1940, Tarbell told A.J. Putnam (who I assume is part of the Putnam publishing empire) the following:

I am beginning to feel that instead of Sandburg putting an end to Lincoln for all time he has stirred Lincoln up more than anything that has happened for some time. It is a grand compilation and does something which the sticklers for exactness never could do in the world. It gives one a tremendous sense of the tumult of the times with that tall figure walking through it with his eyes on the stars, and his feet very firmly on the ground. They tell me out in Springfield that Sandburg has made a lot of mistakes. I suppose that is so, but he has done something so much greater. Only I am afraid that in some cases there may be mistakes that invalidate some big thing that he has done. I hope not.

Have I said lately how much fun I'm having.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Rob: nice find. Reminds us that what Sandburg did for Lincoln outweighed mistakes he may have made.

[RJNorton]

(09-12-2012 08:25 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  Only I am afraid that in some cases there may be mistakes that invalidate some big thing that he has done. I hope not.

Regarding Ida Tarbell's worry, I would say most definitely not!

[Laurie Verge]

Just a side note that the Putnam publishing family married into the Izola Forrester side of the Booth family.

[Rob Wick]

Tarbell and Forrester corresponded. Here are the letters.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Darn, it was typed. I want to see more of her handwriting!

[Rob Wick]

Ida's or Izola's?

Best
Rob

[Gene C]

What was Izola's connection with Keene, NH? (close of second letter)

I lived there for three years - a long time ago. It's a nice small new england town (at least back then)

[Rob Wick]

Someone smarter than me will have to answer that, Gene. I don't know.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Rob and Gene, I did a Google search and found that Keene, NH, and the Keene Summer Theater were mentioned in Ros Putnam's obituary. Does this seem like the connection?

[Gene C]

thanks Roger....that has to be it.

[Rob Wick]

That would make sense, Roger. Great job!

Best
Rob

[Laurie Verge]

Rosamond Putnam was living in Keene, NH, when I was corresponding with her. Very nice lady - as are all of the Forrester descendants that I have had the pleasure to meet. Many are still involved in the theatrical world. Old timers may remember the name Richard Merrifield. One of the Merrifields is the widow of the great Broadway producer, Joseph Papp (as in Chorus Line, etc.) who was also a driving force in the New York Shakespearean Festival.

[Joe Di Cola]

(09-14-2012 08:40 AM)Rob Wick Wrote:  That would make sense, Roger. Great job!

Best
Rob

Rob,

You may already have this site, but I will send this anyway. I found a site -- onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu -- went on the site and found Ida Tarbell. When her stuff opened, it had every location where you could view her works on line in the format in which they were published. I thought this might save you some time and money as you conduct your research since it gives you complete access to all of the works on Lincoln and her opus on Standard Oil.

All the best,

Joe

[Rob Wick]

Thanks Joe. I have seen it before and did use it to make sure I've got all the Tarbell books. Allegheny College also provided me with a bibliography of her articles, although it doesn't have her book reviews (she reviewed Sandburg, Barton and Beveridge, among others). Thanks!

Best
Rob