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George W. Childs to Walt Whitman, 22 May 1889

 loc_jm.00205.jpg 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  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]
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