Drew Special Collections and University Archives
Drew University Library houses notable collections of the works of Lord Byron and Walt Whitman, the generous gifts of Norman Tomlinson. The twenty-four titles by Byron (1788-1824), all of them first editions, were printed between 1807 and 1823, and include virtually every major work by the author. The collection is particularly rich in association copies: Beppo and The Prisoner of Chillon, with bookplate of Francis Lewis Randolph; Thomas Moore's copy of Sardanapalus, with his signature on the front fly-leaf; The Corsair, with a letter from Moore to Byron, dated February 18, 1816, tipped in at front; and Cantos I-II of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, with an autograph note, signed, from Byron to John Murray. In addition, Hebrew Melodies was bound by Zaehnsdorf, and The Giaour by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Hours of Idleness is in original boards, and The Prisoner of Chillon and Mazeppa in original wrappers.
Among the twenty-three volumes of Walt Whitman (1819-1892) are eleven separate editions or printings of Leaves of Grass, including the first edition, first issue of 1855; the Doheny copy of Good-bye My Fancy; and five presentation copies, including Good-bye My Fancy to John H. Johnston, Leaves of Grass (1860) to Henry P, Leland and Memoranda During the War to “each conductor and driver on the Camden horse-cars.” A number of volumes are signed or initialed by Whitman.