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Walt Whitman to Bernard O'Dowd, 1 November 1891

About This Item

  • Title: Walt Whitman to Bernard O'Dowd, 1 November 1891
  • Date: November 1, 1891
  • Creator(s): Walt Whitman
  • Whitman Archive ID: slv.00002
  • Source: Manuscripts Collection, State Library Victoria (Melbourne, Australia). The transcription presented here is derived from Walt Whitman, The Correspondence, ed. Edwin Haviland Miller (New York: New York University Press, 1961–1977), 260. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Ryan Furlong Amanda J. Axley Cristin Noonan Marie Ernster Stephanie Blalock Paige Wilkinson
  • Cite this page: Whitman, Walt. "Walt Whitman to Bernard O'Dowd, 1 November 1891." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 09 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: slv.00002.xml (TEI)
 slv_tb.00007.jpg Camden NJ—US America1 Nov: 1 '91

Just a word anyhow while I am waiting for my supper—y'rs last rec'd is Aug: 312—It seems you have rec'd "Good Bye"—Some two weeks ago or more I sent you two more "Good Bye's" & a lot of pictures—have they reach'd you safely?—you & the friends can have what the portraits you & they want as I have plenty, & am cheerfully willing to send to you & them—The doctor3 says I have progressive paralysis, wh' is eligible to have a fatal termination any hour—so you must all take my letters & conveyances of friendship & affection (strangers as we are face to face) as my last missives—write me soon as you can—

Walt Whitman  slv_tb.00008.jpg  slv_tb.00005.jpg  slv_tb.00006.jpg

Correspondent:
Bernard Patrick O'Dowd (1866–1953) was an Australian poet, lawyer, activist, and journalist. He and his wife, Evangeline Mina Fryer, began a weekly discussion club with secular and Whitmanesque inclinations called the Australeum. His letter of March 12, 1890, began a correspondence with Whitman that lasted until November 1, 1891, and assumed the character of a religious experience, always saluting Whitman with reverential appellations. For more, see Alan L. McLeod, "Whitman in Australia and New Zealand," J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings, eds., Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).

Notes

  • 1. This letter is addressed: Bernard O'Dowd | Supreme Court Library | Melbourne | Victoria | via San Francisco | or otherwise. It is postmarked: Camden N.J. | NOV 1 | 5 PM | 91; Philadelphia, PA | NOV 1 | 10 AM | F.D. | 91; San Francisco | NOV 6 | | 1891 | F.D.; Melbourne | 13 Y | DE 9 | 91. [back]
  • 2. See O'Dowd's August 31, 1891, letter to Whitman. [back]
  • 3. Daniel Longaker (1858–1949) was a Philadelphia physician who specialized in obstetrics. He became Whitman's doctor in early 1891 and provided treatment during the poet's final illness. For more information, see Carol J. Singley, "Longaker, Dr. Daniel [1858–1949]," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R.LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
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