Precious and Adored: The Love Letters of Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple, 1890?1918

Ehrenhalt, Lizzie; Laskey, TIlly

ISBN 10: 1681341298 / ISBN 13: 9781681341293

Published by Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2019

Seller Inventory # 1681341298-3-36978559

Synopsis:

In 1890, Rose Cleveland, sister of President Grover Cleveland, began writing to Evangeline Simpson, a wealthy widow who would become the second wife of Henry Whipple, Minnesota's Episcopal bishop. The women corresponded across states and continents, discussing their advocacy and humanitarian work--and demonstrating their sexual attraction, romance, and partnership. In 1910, after Evangeline Whipple was again widowed, the two women sailed to Italy and began a life together.

The letters, most written in Cleveland's dramatic, quirky style, guide readers through new love, heartbreak, and the rekindling of a committed relationship. Lillian Faderman's foreword provides the context for same-sex relationships at the time. An introduction and annotations by editors Lizzie Ehrenhalt and Tilly Laskey discuss the women's social and political circles, and explain references to friends, family, and historical events.

After Rose Cleveland's death, Evangeline Whipple described her as "my precious and adored life-long friend." This collection, rare in its portrayal of nineteenth-century LGBTQ history, brings their poignant story back to life.

About the Authors: Lizzie Ehrenhalt is the editor of MNopedia, the online encyclopedia of Minnesota.

Tilly Laskey is the outreach curator at Maine Historical Society in Portland, Maine.

Lillian Faderman is an internationally known scholar of lesbian and LGBT history and literature, as well as ethnic history and literature.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Precious and Adored: The Love Letters of ...
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Publication Date: 2019
Binding: paperback
Condition: Good