William O. Fuller papers (Ms.Fuller)

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 Memories of a musical life (New York: The Century, 1902) which recounts the same period and some of the same places from the reminiscences of Fuller's fellow American student. Both Fuller's letters and Mason's experiences pre-date by twenty years the more famous published experiences of the American pianist Amy Fay ( Music study in Germany. New York: Macmillan, 1896; reprinted New York : Da Capo, 1979).

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.