Catalog Record:
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.
The papers of Hendrik Christian Andersen, author and sculptor, were given to the Library of Congress in 1958 and 1962 by his foster sister, Lucia Andersen.
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Hendrik Christian Andersen is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
The papers of Hendrik Christian Andersen are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Papers of Hendrik Christian Andersen, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The papers of Hendrik Christian Andersen (1872-1940) span the years 1844-1940, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1890-1920. The papers reflect Andersen's interest in the arts and in the creation of a world capital. The collection is organized into the following series: Diaries, Family Papers, General Correspondence, Notebooks, Writings, Olivia Cushing Andersen Papers, Miscellany, and Oversize.
Andersen's diaries (1899-1940) document his efforts relating to the establishment of a world capital and his art, as well as his daily routine. The diaries are incomplete until the death of Olivia Cushing Andersen in December 1918, whose last diary he finished, and are written in the form of letters to his mother, Helene, and to Olivia.
The Family Papers (1844-1936) consist primarily of correspondence. Hendrik's older brother Andreas, a painter, is represented by correspondence, miscellaneous writings, and notebooks. Hendrik Andersen's younger brother Arthur, a composer, is represented by several letters. Hendrik Andersen's own correspondence in this series is addressed primarily to his parents and his brother Andreas. It is particularly useful in filling in gaps in the diaries prior to 1918. The papers of Olivia Cushing Andersen are filed separately.
The General Correspondence series, 1899-1938, consists of correspondence to and from friends, colleagues, and government officials. Much of it pertains to Andersen's plans for a world capital. Of particular interest are transcripts of letters to Andersen from Henry James, the originals of which can be found in the C. Waller Barrett Collection at the University of Virginia. The location of Andersen's replies is unknown. Other significant correspondents include Mary Berenson, Cass Gilbert, Ernest Hébrard, Hamilton Holt, Herbert Hoover, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks, David Starr Jordan, Franklin K. Lane, Herbert Putnam, Sun Yat-Sen, and William H. Taft.
The Notebooks, 1896-1921, and Writings, 1896-1939, consist of articles, jottings, and notes pertaining to Andersen's idea for a world capital, as well as poetry, short stories, and other miscellaneous writings, some of which were collaborations between Hendrik and Olivia Cushing Andersen.
Papers of Olivia Cushing Andersen, 1882-1929, include diaries, correspondence, notebooks, and writings. The diaries reflect her early life as a Boston socialite and her activities in Rome following the death of her husband Andreas in 1902. Upon moving to Rome with her brother-in-law Hendrik, Olivia helped him with his artwork and plans for the world capital and became an active playwright. In addition to plays, her writings include short stories, poetry, and a novel.
The Miscellany series, 1910-1937, includes several sketchbooks and unbound drawings, photographs, and other material. Many of the photographs depict Hendrik Andersen's sculpture designed for the world capital he envisioned.
The Oversize series, 1913, contains an oversize volume and some photographs.
This collection is arranged in eight series:
Bound volumes, notes, and transcripts.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, notebooks, writings, birth certifictes, and other material.
Arranged alphabetically by name of family member or type of material and therein chronologically.
Correspondence and appended material.
Arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent, country, or institution and therein chronologically.
Bound notebooks.
Arragned alphabetically by subject and therein chronologically.
Correspondence, articles, short stories, poetry, lectures, and miscellaneous writings.
Arranged alphabetically by name of writing or type of material and therein chronologically.
Diaries, correspondence, notebooks, writings, and other material of Hendrik Christian Andersen's sister-in-law.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Drawings, photographs, and other material.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically.
One oversize volume,
Arranged according to the series and folder from which the items were removed.