H. Nelson Gay letters to William Roscoe Thayer

1907-1923

Harry Nelson Gay (1870-1932) was an American author and scholar who lived in Italy from 1898 until his death. His personal library was renowned for the collection of resources on the history of Italy from 1815 to 1870. He wrote works on the Risorgimento and biographies for Americani Illustri. Collection consists of Gay's letters to William Roscoe Thayer, an American historian and biographer. Letters, 1907-1923, were written chiefly in Italy and concern Gay's opinions of other historians and scholars; his writings and search for publications for his library; current events in Italy; the diplomatic scene in Europe; World War I from the Italian viewpoint; founding of the Library for American Studies in Italy; affairs of the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association; and relief work in earthquakes and on war fronts.