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Creator
Wray, George, 1781-1878
Call number
Pforz BND-MSS (Wray, G. Memoirs)
Physical description
1 volume (88 manuscript pages, 68 total leaves) + inserts
Preferred Citation
Memoirs of a most beloved and affectionate wife, Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle, The New York Public Library
Repository
Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle
Access to materials
Restricted access. Request an in-person research appointment.

Manuscript biographical account of Caroline Wray, née Wainman, the author's recently-deceased wife, made for his infant son, William. In the dedicatory preface George Wray writes: "I have no painting of your beloved mother, the likeness of her which is drawn upon my heart, must perish with me. I have therefore given you a sketch of her in the following pages." Includes an extended account of Caroline's final illness, of puerperal fever. The main text is written on the rectos, with additional notes written on the opposite versos, some dated as late as 1823. A loosely inserted folded sheet of yellow paper encloses a folded scrap marked "George Wrays / Hair Augt 178[4?]" (on the verso note from George Wray to friends), which serves as a wrapper for pressed flowers and a lock of his blond hair from childhood. On the front free endpaper of the volume is pasted a note in the hand of Caroline Wray: "We part in hope and / We shall meet again / be sure in Joy -- / C. W.".

Using the collection

Location

Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Third Floor, Room 319

Access to materials

Restricted access. Request an in-person research appointment.