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Creator
Hall, Bolton, 1854-1938
Call number
MssCol 1288
Physical description
9 linear feet (21 boxes and 3 v.)
Language
Materials in English
Preferred Citation

Bolton Hall papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Bolton Hall (1854-1938) was an American lawyer and author. He prepared the expurgated text of the King James version of the Bible (called The Living Bible) in addition to writing and speaking on topics such as social reform and political economy. He was a founder of the Longshoremen's Union and the New York Tax Reform Association, was a disciple of Henry George, and an advocate of the single tax and model tenement housing. Collection contains Hall's writings, correspondence, personal papers, and scrapbooks. Papers consist primarily of his writings, both fiction and non-fiction, on various subjects and include typescripts, galley proofs, articles, and speeches. Also, correspondence, 1895-1938, writings of others, miscellaneous personal papers, and Hall's scrapbooks.

Biographical/historical information

Bolton Hall (1854-1938), son of eminent Presbyterian clergyman John Hall and Emily Bolton, was born in North Ireland and educated in the Dublin schools until his family moved to New York City where John Hall was called to become pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Bolton Hall attended and was graduated from Princeton University (A. B. 1875) and Columbia Law School (LL. B. 1881). He was a lawyer by profession and author of many books, He prepared the expurgated text of the King James Version of the Holy Bible, which was published and sold as The Living Bible in addition to writing and speaking on topics of social reform and political economy. He was the founder of the Long Shore man's Union and the New York Tax Reform Association. He was a disciple of Henry George and an advocate of such radical reforms as the single tax and model tenement housing in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He was married to Susie Hurlbut Scot. He practiced law until shortly before his death when his failing health necessitated his moving away from New York City.

Scope and arrangement

The Bolton Hall Papers consist primarily of his writings - both fiction and non-fiction - on various subjects including Tolstoi, Single Tax and Henry George, land, grief and thrift in various formats but primarily typescripts, galley-proofs and printed articles. Titles represented in this series include "Land and the Lady," "Love Letters of Saint John," "The Man and the Land", "New Thrift", and "The Mastery of Grief" Also in this series are. Hull's The Living Bible and speeches. Printed Matter includes reviews of Hall's writings and edited works, The Living Bible having received considerable comment. Correspondence from 1895 to 1938, writings of other authors, miscellaneous personal papers and scrapbooks comprise the balance of the series Correspondents include John Hayne Holmes, Lincoln Steffins. A. A. Knopf, Jane Addams, Henry george, and Woodrow Wilson.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

September 25, 1939; March, 28, 1940, Received from 1939 & 1940: Ami Mali Hicks, 1941: Gertrude Post Herrick

Processing information

Accessioned by Genna Rae McNeil, November 30, 1982

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328