George W. Childs to Walt Whitman, 22 May 1889

About This Item

Title: George W. Childs to Walt Whitman, 22 May 1889
Date: May 22, 1889
Creator(s): George W. Childs
Whitman Archive ID: loc.08095
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: Zainab Saleh Jason McCormick Stephanie Blalock Brandon James O'Neil
Cite this page: Childs, George W.. "George W. Childs to Walt Whitman, 22 May 1889." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 11 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
Source File: loc.08095.xml (TEI)

loc_jm.00205.jpg Public Ledger Building
S.W. Corner 6th & Chestnut Streets,
Phildelphia. My dear old friend

I want to be present to congratulate you on your seventieth birthday,1 and to tell you how glad I am that kind Providence has preserved your health, and given you so many appreciative friends.

God bless you Geo. W. Childs May 22/89

loc_jm.00206.jpg

Correspondent:
George William Childs (1829–1894) was an American publisher from Baltimore, Maryland, who became the co-owner of the Philadelphia Public Ledger. He was married to Emma Bouvier Childs; the couple had no children.

Notes

1. For Whitman's seventieth birthday, Horace Traubel and a large committee planned a local celebration for the poet in Morgan's Hall in Camden, New Jersey. The committee included Henry (Harry) L. Bonsall, Geoffrey Buckwalter, and Thomas B. Harned. See Horace Traubel, With Walt Whitman in Camden, Tuesday, May 7, 1889. The day was celebrated with a testimonial dinner. Numerous authors and friends of the poet prepared and delivered addresses to mark the occasion. Whitman, who did not feel well at the time, arrived after the dinner to listen to the remarks. [back]