2020 Birss Exhibition

Below are selected images and letters from the 2020 Birss Exhibition on Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage. For more information about the book please see our The Red Badge of Courage Research guide. For more information about the The John Howard Birss, Jr. Memorial Program please see our schedule of events.

The 20th Professor John Howard Birss, Jr. Memorial Exhibition: Stephen Crane & The Red Badge of Courage -- Part 1
The 20th Professor John Howard Birss, Jr. Memorial Exhibition: Stephen Crane & The Red Badge of Courage -- Part 2
Civil War daguerreotypes of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Source: Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress
Civil War daguerreotypes of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Source: Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress
Civil War daguerreotypes of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Source: Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress
Civil War daguerreotypes of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Source: Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress
Kurz & Allison. Battle of Chancellorsville, c1889, c1890.
Source: Prints & Photographs Online Catalog, Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91482103/
Homer, Winslow. Home, Sweet Home. 1863.
Source: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. Web.
Images.nga.gov. 22 Jan 2020.
Homer, Winslow. Young Soldier. 1864.
Source: Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution. http://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18173693/
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. New York:
Classics Illustrated, 1968, cover.
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. New York: Marvel Comics Group, 1976, cover
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. New York: Marvel Comics Group, 1976, inside pages.
Syracuse University baseball team, Spring1891. Crane is seated in the middle of the front row.
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane seated at desk with papers in front of him.
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research
Center, Syracuse University Libraries
“I’d Rather Have” – Holograph manuscript, two pages
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane in Athens, Greece, May 1897. [While he was working as a journalist during the Greco-Turkish War]
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane in his study at Brede Place, Sussex, England (1899)
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane smoking a hookah at a party. He and a friend are dressed in medical school clothing.
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane’s birthplace, 14 Mulberry Place, Newark, New
Jersey.
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
Stephen Crane relaxing in Corwin Knapp Linson’s studio on West 22nd Street, New York City while Crane was working on The Red Badge of Courage.(1894) Linson was an American artist and illustrator, young friend of Stephen Crane and later a biographer, My Stephen Crane written in 1958.
Stephen Crane Collection, Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Handwritten manuscript of The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane:
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1894, Accession #5505-a, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Letter from Stephen Crane to Mr. Howells (William Dean) (January 1, [ ])
Stallman, R. W. and Lillian B. Gilkes. Stephen Crane: Letters. New York University Press, 1960.
Stephen Crane in 1896, taken by “Mr. King, the artist … It is a picture that has never been used for publication and I think a very good portrait.” (Crane to the editor of The Critic, February 15, 1896)
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, New York Public Library.
Letter from Joseph Conrad to [Stephen] Crane (December 24, 1897)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Letter from Joseph Conrad to [Stephen] Crane (December 24, 1897)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Letter from Joseph Conrad to [Stephen] Crane (December 24, 1897)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Letter from Joseph Conrad to [Stephen] Crane (December 24, 1897)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Telegram from Cora Crane to Stephen Crane sent on January 3, 1896 after Cora received a telegram from Stephen indicating that he survived the sinking of the Commodore. Stephen told the story of the sinking of the Commodore in his book, The Open Boat.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Letter from W.D. Howells to Mr. Crane (October 2, 1894)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Letter from Sydney Pauling, Wm. Heinemann Publisher, London,
to [Stephen Crane] (December 4, 1895)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Letter from Sydney Pauling, Wm. Heinemann Publisher, London,
to [Stephen Crane] (December 4, 1895)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Letter from Sydney Pauling, Wm. Heinemann Publisher, London,
to [Stephen Crane] (December 4, 1895)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Letter from Sydney Pauling, Wm. Heinemann Publisher, London,
to [Stephen Crane] (December 4, 1895)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Playbill from the farcical theatrical production of “The Ghost” written by Henry James, Joseph Conrad, H.G. Wells, Stephen Crane and others. It was performed on December 28th, 1899 at the Brede School House, in the town where the Cranes lived. Stephen Crane collapsed a few hours after the performance due to a tubercular brain hemorrhage that signaled the coming of his untimely death on June 5, 1900 at the age of 28.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Playbill from the farcical theatrical production of “The Ghost” written by Henry James, Joseph Conrad, H.G. Wells, Stephen Crane and others. It was performed on December 28th, 1899 at the Brede School House, in the town where the Cranes lived. Stephen Crane collapsed a few hours after the performance due to a tubercular brain hemorrhage that signaled the coming of his untimely death on June 5, 1900 at the age of 28.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Playbill from the farcical theatrical production of “The Ghost” written by Henry James, Joseph Conrad, H.G. Wells, Stephen Crane and others. It was performed on December 28th, 1899 at the Brede School House, in the town where the Cranes lived. Stephen Crane collapsed a few hours after the performance due to a tubercular brain hemorrhage that signaled the coming of his untimely death on June 5, 1900 at the age of 28.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Playbill from the farcical theatrical production of “The Ghost” written by Henry James, Joseph Conrad, H.G. Wells, Stephen Crane and others. It was performed on December 28th, 1899 at the Brede School House, in the town where the Cranes lived. Stephen Crane collapsed a few hours after the performance due to a tubercular brain hemorrhage that signaled the coming of his untimely death on June 5, 1900 at the age of 28.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Stephen and Cora at the bazaar, flower show and garden party held in the Rectory Gardens, Brede, Sussex, August 23, 1899.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
The Red Badge of Courage, autograph manuscript of the missing pages that did not appear in the first British and American editions
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
The Red Badge of Courage, autograph manuscript of the missing pages that did not appear in the first British and American editions
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Typescript of the poem, “War is Kind”, by Stephen Crane.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Genesis of The Red Badge of Courage (February 1893)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Genesis of The Red Badge of Courage (February 1893)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Glasgow Herald. Glasgow, Scotland. (July 16, 1898)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries
Republic. St. Louis, Missouri. (August 25, 1896)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Times. Boston, Massachusetts. (October 27, 1895)
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
“The Late Mr. Stephen Crane.” [no attribution given]. June 27, 1900. Newspaper article about the funeral services and burial of Stephen Crane.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
The Star, London. (Jun 4, 1900) Article announcing Stephen Crane’s illness and move to Badenweiler, a health resort and spa in Germany.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
“Stephen Crane at College, Was a Unique Character and
Worked in His Own Way. His Favorite Subject Was History and
He Was an Athlete of Note. Did Much Newspaper Work While
a Student.” Standard, New Bedford, MA. 22 August 1896.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Frederick A. Stokes Company advertisement for books by
Stephen Crane, War Stories, Active Service, and War is Kind.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Invitation (East Aurora, NY, November 10, 1895) from Elbert Hubbard and the Committee for The [Philistine] Society to Stephen Crane to attend a banquet in his honor.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
Response from Crane to the invitation.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
From the program, excerpts of responses from others invited to the banquet.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
From the program, excerpts of responses from others invited to the banquet.
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
“Stephen Crane”. [no attribution given]. Obituary.
Source: Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
List of Books, Brede Place: compiled list of books in the library of Stephen Crane. Cover shows Brede Place, where the Cranes lived
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
List of Books, Brede Place: compiled list of books in the library of Stephen Crane. Cover shows Brede Place, where the Cranes lived
Stephen Crane papers, 1895-1908, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York