Autograph Letter, Signed "O W Holmes," Washington, October 18, 1907

Manuscript; Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr.

Published by Publication Date: 1907

"The Fact that He Seemed to Dislike Me." [Manuscript]. Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr. [1841-1935]. [Rugg, Arthur Prentice (1862-1938)]. [Autograph Letter, Signed "O W Holmes," Washington, D.C., October 18, 1907]. 8" x 5" (20.3 x 12.7 cm) bifolium, United States Supreme Court letterhead, content to recto and verso of first leaf. Light toning, two slight horizontal fold lines. With transmittal envelope postmarked October 18, 1907, small tears to top-edge. $1,250. * An extraordinary, highly candid letter from Associate Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Arthur P. Rugg, offering a fascinating glimpse into the personal frictions and professional respect underlying early 20th-century Massachusetts politics. Holmes writes to thank Rugg for sending an offprint or copy of his memorial remarks on the late George Frisbie Hoar (1826-1904), the formidable U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Hoar was a towering figure of the Gilded Age, celebrated for his fierce independence, anti-imperialist stance following the Spanish-American War, and advocacy for civil rights and women's suffrage. Despite their shared Massachusetts legal roots, relations between the two men were notoriously cool. Holmes addresses this tension directly and with characteristic wit:"I keenly appreciated his great powers and his character and I do not think that I was prevented from doing him justice by the fact that he seemed to dislike me." Holmes continues by reflecting on Hoar's distinct character and long legislative career, before turning his attention to Rugg's own rising star on the bench. Rugg had been appointed to the Massachusetts high court just a year prior, in 1906 (he would later serve as Chief Justice from 1911 until his death). Holmes concludes the letter with warm encouragement, noting that he "was delighted" to hear reports of Rugg "as a judge corresponding to the man I respected." An exceptional association item linking a legendary U.S. Supreme Court Justice, a long-serving Massachusetts Chief Justice, and one of the state's most influential senators. Seller Inventory # 73136

Bibliographic Details

Title: Autograph Letter, Signed "O W Holmes," ...
Publication Date: 1907
Signed: Signed by Author(s)