The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman to Edward Wilkins, 10 July 1890
Date: July 10, 1890
Whitman Archive ID: loc.04867
Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Ian Faith, Ryan Furlong, Blake Bronson-Bartlett, and Stephanie Blalock
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Camden1
July 10 '90
Dear Ed
Y'r letter has come this forenoon2—finds me quite sick & lying down most of the time—Will write soon & more at length—I have these spells sometimes & then have to let every thing go. Nothing serious—shall be all right in a few days—Keep a stout heart dear boy, & God bless you—
Walt Whitman
Correspondent:
Edward "Ned" Wilkins
(1865–1936) was one of Whitman's nurses during his Camden years; he was
sent to Camden from London, Ontario, by Dr. Richard M. Bucke, and he began
caring for Whitman on November 5, 1888. He stayed for a year before returning to
Canada to attend the Ontario Veterinary School. Wilkins graduated on March 24,
1893, and then he returned to the United States to commence his practice in
Alexandria, Indiana. For more information, see Bert A. Thompson, "Edward
Wilkins: Male Nurse to Walt Whitman," Walt Whitman Review
15 (September 1969), 194–195.
Notes:
1. This letter is addressed: Ed: Wilkins | 137 King Street | London | Ontario | Canada. It is postmarked: Camden N.J. | Jul 10 | 8 PM | 90; 3 | PM JY | 12; Philadelphia, PA | Jul | 10 | 90 | Transit; London | PM | JY [illegible] | CA [illegible]. [back]
2. This letter does not seem to be extant. [back]