1880-1929
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The Frederick Shelley Ryman diaries are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Abstract
This collection consists of diaries kept by Frederick Shelley Ryman of Boston, Mass. and New York contain daily entries, notes, poems, writings, correspondence, scraps, clippings, and other memorabilia. Entries record Ryman's thoughts on a various subjects, including religion, William Shakespeare, and women. Some of his notebooks are devoted to specific subjects, such as his "Sonnets to Laura" (his wife), and "Hamlet's Note Book"; diaries containing general thoughts and ideas are called "Notes and Notions" and "Rif Raf".
Restrictions on Access
The Frederick Shelley Ryman diaries are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Acquisition Information
The Frederick S. Ryman diaries were donated by Walter Muir Whitehill in 1972.
Collection Description
The papers of Frederick Shelley Ryman consist of 44 volumes of diaries, notes, poems, writings, correspondence, scraps, clippings, and memorabilia kept while in New York State and Boston. The diaries date from 1880 to 1929 and record many of Ryman's thoughts on a variety of subjects, including women, religion, and Shakespeare. Many of the entries relating to women are often sexually explicit and degrading. Entries were recorded on an almost daily basis. Some of his notebooks are devoted to specific subjects, such as his “Sonnets to Laura” (his wife), and “Hamlet’s Note Book” where he recorded notes on Hamlet and other subjects. The diaries containing general thoughts and ideas are called “Notes and Notions” and “Rif Raf”.
Organization of the Collection
There are some gaps in the chronological sequence of these volumes, and many dates overlap. It appears that Ryman kept several journals at the same time, with separate numbering schemes. For this reason, a new chronological numbering scheme has been imposed. These volume numbers are listed in brackets. In some cases Ryman has made notes or inserted clippings in volumes after they have been completed. Oversize volumes are indicated by the abbreviation “OS.”
Summary Description of the Collection
August 28, 1880 - December 21, 1881
"Notes and Notations," January 1, 1882 - March 1, 1884
"Notes and Notations," March 11, 1884 - May 12, 1885
May 15, 1885 - March 23, 1886
March 12, 1886 - August 31, 1886
"Notes and Notations," September 1, 1886 - June 16, 1887
July 6, 1888 - December 31, 1888
January 1, 1889 - July 6, 1889
July 6, 1889 - March 8, 1892
October 10, 1890 - October 23, 1896
October 17, 1896 - October 20, 1897
"Sonnets to Laura," September 2, 1894
October 17, 1894 - [March 21], 1895
"Hamlets Notebook," July 7, 1896 - November 6, 1896
"Hamlets Notebook," November 6, 1896 - April [21], 1897
April 26, 1897 - [May 20], 1897
[October 8], 1898 - [April 18], 1899
November 22, 1899 - September 14, 1900
November 18, 1900 - June 22, 1903
July 30, 1902 - January 7, 1903
July 16, 1903 - November 5, 1903
December 29, 1903 - April 7, 1904
January 26, 1907 - April 8, 1907
March 25, 1907 - August 19, 1907
April 29, 1907 - [June 10], 1907
August 20, 1907 - December 23, 1907
December 24, 1907 - May 9, 1908
January 19, 1908 - February 14, 1908
March 9, 1908 - April 2, 1908
May 10, 1908 - August 8, 1908
August 10, 1908 - March 4, 1909
August 18, 1908 - September 4, 1908
March 25, 1909 - April 19, 1909
March 10, 1910
September 17, 1910 - January 22, 1911
April 22, 1911 - September 6, 1913
December 10, 1911 - [May] 1913
[1913]
November 19, 1918 - January 18, 1919
October 1, 1921 - December 21, 1921
March 4, 1923 - [June 7], 1923
April 1, 1925 - February 2, 1927
September 23, 1927 - July 23, 1928
June 15, 1928 - May 20, 1929
Preferred Citation
Frederick Shelley Ryman diaries, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.