William O. Fuller (1828-1910), an organist, pianist and music teacher, was the son of Frederic Fuller, founder of the Fuller Iron Foundry (est. 1837) in Providence, Rhode Island, and the only one of six children to pursue a career in music. After receiving some early lessons in Boston, Fuller traveled with Bostonians William Mason (1829-1908) and William Sherwood to Europe. There between 1848 and 1851 he received his musical education. He studied in Leipzig, Dresden, Frankfurt and Paris with Ignaz Moscheles, Theodore Kullak, Carl Czerny and Carl Mayer, among the most famous and influential pianists of their day.
Returning to Providence in 1851 he became organist at the Central Congregational Church on Benefit Street, a post he held until 1865. He was an active music teacher until at least 1894 and according to his niece Margaret Ames Fuller (the donor of this collection), was also an agent for the Boston piano company Chickering. Fuller married Harriet Ward Goodhue (1831-1856) with whom he had one son, William Ward Fuller, and then Sarah Hale Goodhue (1834-1905) with whom he had one son, Robert Goodhue Fuller. William O. Fuller died April 18, 1910 in Dover, Massachusetts.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection consists of 3 series:
Series 1 is arranged chronologically. Series 2 is arranged by the name of the letter writer.
The Fuller papers consist of 58 items from 1849-1968 (bulk 1849-1859). The items include letters from Fuller to his brother, Frederic, from Leipzig, Dresden, Frankfurt, and Paris, describing his musical and social experiences in Germany and briefly, France. While some of his correspondence describes his musical experiences a great deal more of it concerns family matters, especially finances and their relationship to Fuller's continuing ability to remain in Europe pursuing his studies. A useful supplement to Fuller's correspondence is William Mason's
The collection also contains correspondence to Fuller from Emil Kade (a physician friend in Vienna), Theodore Kullak, Franz Liszt, and Carl [i.e. Charles] Mayer. Finally, there are miscellaneous manuscript items, including a drawing (caraicature of Fuller) and photograph (of Fuller at his house on 59 Charlesfield St. in Providence), some clippings announcing Fuller's qualifications for teaching music, and an account by Margaret A. Fuller of her Uncle William's trip to Germany.
William O. Fuller papers, Ms. Fuller, Brown University Library.
The William O. Fuller papers were a gift from Miss Margaret A. Fuller in 1971.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Liszt, Franz von (1811-1886).