University of Rochester Acquires Collection of Susan B. Anthony Letters

Susan B. Anthony and Rachel Foster Avery

The University of Rochester has acquired a new collection of letters written by Susan B. Anthony to Rachel Foster Avery, who Anthony called her “most cherished young lieutenant.” The letters were written between 1881 and 1900. The collection, purchased by the university at auction, also includes other documents and photographs.

Susan B. Anthony lived in Rochester from 1845 until her death in 1906. The university holds other important documents relating to Anthony in its department of rare books, special collections, and preservation, including another collection of 178 letters between Anthony and Avery.

“This is an outstanding acquisition for the libraries and for the Rochester community,” said Mary Ann Mavrinac, vice provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the River Campus Libraries. “It augments what is arguably the nation’s strongest manuscript collection related to the long working and personal relationship between Anthony and Avery. We are honored to bring such historically significant letters to our libraries.”

The university plans to digitize the new collection and make them available online. Other Susan B. Anthony collections held by the university are available at the university’s online exhibit, Susan B. Anthony: Celebrating a Heroic Life.