RUSKIN AND VICTORIAN INTELLECTUAL LIFE
Manuscripts of John Ruskin (1819-1900) from the Ruskin Library, University of Lancaster

Part 2: Correspondence with Joan Severn, 1864-1899

As recent histories of literature, art, architecture, design and political theory make clear, we are just beginning to perceive the degree to which John Ruskin, Interpreter, influenced his own age and continues to affect ours.  Ruskin, however, possesses more than historical importance.  He remains Englands great art critic, and his magnificent prose still teaches us to see and to see better.
George Landow
Professor of English, Brown University
from Ruskin, at www.victorianweb.org/authors/ruskin

Ruskin was the pre-eminent critic of the Victorian era.  He helped to shape taste - influencing perceptions of art, architecture, literature, and landscape.
He was also a powerful social and political commentator, encouraging communal responsibility, praising the dignity of labour, and arguing for womens education, and a better life for the working man.  His views on environmental issues, the role of museums, and the preservation of heritage are attracting increasing interest.
Part 1 of this project made available his diaries, which have long been acknowledged as one of the most important sources for understanding his life, thought and influence. Working in co-operation with the Ruskin Foundation we included all 29 volumes held at the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University. These cover the period 1835, 1840-41, 1844-52, 1854, 1856-78, 1880-85, 1888.  Hitherto, they have only been made available in an inadequate printed edition.
This second part makes available Ruskins correspondence with Joan Severn (ne Agnew)(1846-1924), his cousin. There are over 3,000 letters in total, mostly unpublished, and covering the period 1864-1899.  Starting as a correspondence between a teenager and an established icon of Victorian society, we witness the evolution of the relationship, with Joan Severn ending up as Ruskins primary carer.  These letters are perhaps the best source we have for the latter years of Ruskins life.

There are seven reels of letters from Ruskin to Joan Severn. Some of the letters are addressed to Arthur Severn, Joans husband.  Also included are a number of items such as newspaper cuttings, plants, photographs and letters to Ruskin from other people, which he enclosed in his letters to Joan. 
There are four reels of letters from Joan Severn to Ruskin.  Also included are a number of letters from Arthur Severn, and from Joans children.
A target appears at the beginning of each year giving the date.  There are also year tags at the bottom of each frame.   Letters thought to be from a specific year but not clearly marked as such are placed at the end of that years sequence.  Further unplaced, undated letters appear at the end of the sequence.
For the most part we have filmed letters as they are without addition of backing which may interfere with the true perception of the item.  Accompanying envelopes are placed before the letter, with the reverse only included after the last page or enclosure of that letter if there is sufficient space in the frame.  Enclosures appear after the letter they were found with.

Many of the letters have been marked in pencil with the initials AW [Alexander Wedderburn, joint editor with Edward T Cook of The Works of John Ruskin. Library Edition: 39 Volumes, (1903-1912)] and some have subjects and names in the same hand.  Years and dates have also been added to letters in pencil.  Other marks (usually on envelopes) are commonly lists or addresses in the hand of Joan Severn. 
Taken together, the diaries and letters provide a platform for examining Art (especially Italian Art and Architecture, Turner, the Pre-Raphaelites), Literature (his own writings and the authors he read) and Travel (especially to France, the Alps and Italy).   They will provide fresh insights into one of the Victorian eras greatest minds.