ca. 1846-1885
Guide to the Photograph Collection
Restrictions on Access
Use of Albums 7, 8, and 9 is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Color digital facsimiles of Albums 7, 8 and 9 are available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-003. Album 8 is also available at the MHS online presentation "Marian Hooper Adams: Selected Photographs and Letters.
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Abstract
This collection consists of three albums of photographs taken by Marian "Clover" Hooper Adams from 1883-1885. These images include formal and informal portraits of U.S. politicians, various members of the Adams and Hooper families, family friends, and portraits taken by others of Marian Hooper Adams. Also included are photographs of Washington, D.C.; Bladensburg, Md.; Old Sweet Springs, Va.; and the Adams family homes in Quincy and Beverly Farms, Mass.
Biographical Sketch
Marian Hooper Adams (MHA) was born in Boston, 13 Sep. 1843, to Robert W. Hooper, an ophthalmologist, and Ellen (Sturgis), a Transcendental poet. Her maternal grandfather was William Sturgis, a prominent merchant and pioneer of the Boston-China trade. Known to friends and family as "Clover," she and her two siblings were raised by her father after her mother died when she was only five. Clover married historian and writer Henry Adams (HA) in 1872, and the couple spent their honeymoon in Europe. They moved to Washington in 1877, where Clover was known for her "salon" and hostess abilities. She took up photography in 1883 and her work was widely admired, although Henry Adams apparently discouraged publication of her photographs.
After her father's death in 1885, Clover suffered from an overwhelming depression, an illness that seemed to plague a number of her family members. In early December of 1885, she took her own life. Henry Adams erected a memorial monument to Clover by Augustus St. Gaudens in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.
Collection Description
This collection of Clover Adams photographs was created by gathering together all of the known photographs by her, and of her, at the Massachusetts Historical Society. The majority of the photographs were removed from the Henry Adams photographs (Photo. Coll. 40), the Adams-Thoron photographs (Photo. Coll. 42), and the Hooper-Adams papers. The remainder of the photographs came from either loose miscellaneous photographs or are of an unknown origin. Some of the photographs in this collection remain in their original locations, and this is noted in the list. These include 1 daguerreotype of Clover, 7 glass-plate negatives taken by her, and the images in Henry Adams's photograph albums 5 and 6.
Clover kept a chronological notebook (in the Hooper-Adams Papers) from May 1883-Jan. 1884 listing many of her photographs and commenting on exposures, lighting, etc. A photocopy of the notebook is located with this collection for reference. This guide notes (where it has been determined) that an image is mentioned in the notebook, as "Notebook, [date], [number]" in the photograph list.
The Marian Hooper Adams photographs consists of 3 photograph albums and 25 loose photographs by or of Marian "Clover" Hooper Adams (MHA). These three albums are numbered 7, 8, and 9, from their original order in the Henry Adams photographs (Photo. Coll. 40). Album 7 contains 47 images; Album 8 contains 48 images, and Album 9 contains 18 images. There are 14 other (loose) images taken by or possibly taken by MHA. There are 9 images of MHA, one of which (Photo. #50.128) have in the past been considered to be images of her but which are now questionable. In addition, there are 2 photographs (Photos. #50.132-133) of pages from a steamer letter written to her father in July 1872. The original letter is in the Adams papers at the MHS.
Acquisition Information
The majority of the photographs were removed from the Henry Adams photographs (Photo. Coll. 40), the Adams-Thoron photographs (Photo. Coll. 42), and the Hooper-Adams papers.
Restrictions on Access
Use of Albums 7, 8, and 9 is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Color digital facsimiles of Albums 7, 8 and 9 are available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-003. Album 8 is also available at the MHS online presentation "Marian Hooper Adams: Selected Photographs and Letters.
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Other Formats
The MHS online presentation, "Marian Hooper Adams: Selected Photographs and Letters," includes digital images of all of the photographs in Album 8, as well as selected letters by Marian Hooper Adams and Henry Adams and other items.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Photographs by Marian Hooper Adamsdigital content
Inscription inside cover: "Marian Adams/ 1883-1884/ Washington." Inscription on an inside page: "Marian Adams/ May 1883 -/ Washington/ D.C -/ Vol 1 - ." All photographs taken by Marian Hooper Adams, except where otherwise noted.
NOTE: Copies of most of the photographs in the albums are located in Box 1.
A. Album 7: Washington, D.C., 1883-1884digital content
Arranged in the order in which they appear in the album.
NOTE: Use of this album is restricted. Color digital facsimiles are also available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-003.
Taken in Washington, D.C.
Taken in Washington, D.C.
See Notebook, 11/19/83, no. 4.
Driveway designed by H. H. Richardson, Washington, D.C.
See Notebook, 11/19/83, no. 5.
With Democracy.
See Notebook, 11/27/83.
Writing at desk.
See Notebook, 11/27/83, "very good."
Writing at desk.
See Notebook, 11/28/83, no. 7.
Mrs. George Bancroft (Elizabeth Davis).
See Notebook, 11/28/83, no. 5, 6.
Rebecca Dodge with banjo.
See Notebook, 12/28/83, no. 11, "very good."
Rebecca Dodge, seated, in Roman costume.
In Henry Adams's study.
See Notebook, 1/18/84.
Taken in Mantilla.
See Notebook, 1/20/84, no. 5, 6.
Oliver W. Holmes, Jr., seated, facing right.
Oliver W. Holmes, Jr., seated, facing left.
Three dogs at tea in garden.
See Notebook, 11/5/83, no. 8, "extremely good."
Unidentified African American woman.
Seated, holding newspaper.
Seated, holding newspaper.
Seated, with trumpet.
Seated, in Roman costume.
Standing, in Roman costume.
Rebecca Dodge, standing, in Roman costume.
Patty Silsbee.
See Notebook, 1/22/84, no. 8.
Ed. Beale's mastiff, outside, standing.
Ed. Beale's mastiff, outside, lying down.
Seated, with book, facing left.
Seated, with book, facing right.
Seated, with screen.
Standing, profile.
Standing, hand on chair.
In H. A.'s study, seated, 3/4 length.
Probably in notebook, 9/4/83.
Seated, playing harp.
Elizabeth Davis Bancroft.
View of cemetery
See Notebook, 11/15/83, no. 11.
Same image as #50.94
Standing, 3/4 length.
George C. Adams and Mary Adams.
Seated in hammock with book.
View of piazza.
B. Album 8: Portraits and landscapes, 1883digital content
Arranged in the order in which they appear in the album.
NOTE: Use of this album is restricted. Color digital facsimiles are available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-003. Digital images are also available at the MHS online presentation "Marian Hooper Adams: Selected Photographs and Letters.
Dandelion, with CFA 3rd.
See Notebook, 8/19/83, nos. 1-4.
George C. Adams, Charles F. Adams, Mary O. Adams, and Mary Adams, at Beverly Farms, seated on rocks.
Possibly in notebook, 7/12/83, nos. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12: "Ames & Adams group in front of rock."
Seated with dog on steps of piazza.
See Notebook, 5/6/83, no. 3.
Seated with two dogs on steps of piazza.
See Notebook, 5/6/83, no. 4.
Photo. 50.52 is a print in the album. Photo. 6.2.1 is the same image and is the glass
plate negative. The negative is from the Hooper-Adams papers.
Photo.
6.2.1 IS RESTRICTED.
Possibly in notebook, 8/19/83, no. 6.
See Notebook, 8/26/83, no. 11 or 12.
Possibly in notebook, 7/12/83, nos. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12.
Possibly in notebook, 7/12/83, nos. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12.
House at Beverly Farms.
Possibly in notebook, 7/24/83, no. 6.
Horse with groom, Brent.
See Notebook, 7/27/83, no. 9 or 10.
Francis Parkman seated in wicker chair, facing left.
See Notebook, 7/29/83, no. 11 or 12.
Francis Parkman seated in wicker chair, facing right.
See Notebook, 7/29/83, no. 11 or 12.
Charles F. Adams and Abigail Brooks Adams on piazza at Old House in Quincy.
See Notebook, 7/30/83, no. 1 or 2.
Brooks Adams with horse and dog.
See Notebook, 7/31/83, no. 4.
Mrs. Theodore (Mimi) Lyman and "Teddy" (T. L., Jr.) under trees.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, prob. no. 8.
Mrs. Jim Scott and dog seated by rock at east end of Singing Beach, Manchester.
Photo. 50.63 is a print in the album. Photo. 6.2.2 is the same image and is the glass
plate negative. The negative is from the Hooper-Adams papers.
Photo
6.2.2 IS RESTRICTED.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, no. 9.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, no. 10.
Mrs. Ellerton Pratt, Mrs. George D. Howe, and Alice Pratt on rocks at Smith's Point.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, no. 1.
Mrs. Joseph Bell on rock at Smith's Point.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, no. 11.
Betsy Wilder and dog on piazza.
See Notebook, 8/10/83, no. 3 or 4.
Robert W. Hooper in wagon pulled by horse.
See Notebook, 8/12/83, no. 5 or 6.
Robert W. Hooper standing outdoors with tree.
See Notebook, 8/12/83, no. 7 or 8.
"E.H."First caption written by HA, second caption written by MHA.
In bedroom at Marblehead.
See Notebook, 8/13/83, no. 11.
Henry Adams seated at desk, writing, diff. image from p. 5.
Probably in notebook, 8/19/83, no. 5.
See Notebook, 8/26/83, no. 11 or 12.
Different image from album 8, p. 6.
James Lowndes and dog in window of playhouse.
See Notebook, 8/30/83, "very good."
James Lowndes at Beverly Farms, seated outdoors in wicker chair, reading book, with dog at feet.
See Notebook, 8/27/83.
Hooper girls on Lee Rocks at shore.
See Notebook, 8/19/83, no. 11, "very nice."
Two dogs at tea in garden.
See Notebook, 8/27/83.
Seated in chair on porch, with cigar.
See Notebook, 8/31/83, no. 5 or 6.
See Notebook, 8/31/83, no. 5 or 6.
Different image from #50.77.
Grace Minot, half-length, outdoors, with parasol.
See Notebook, 9/4/83.
Otherwise known as Graves' Beach.
See Notebook, 9/11/83, "very good."
Lillie de Hegermann-Lindencrone, half-length, in Spanish dress.
See Notebook, 9/16/83, no. 1 or 2.
See Notebook, 9/16/83, no. 1 or 2.
Different image from #50.82.
"N. Moulton."First caption written by HA, second caption written by MHA.
See Notebook, 9/16/83, no. 3.
"Mrs. Sargent."First caption written by HA, second caption written by MHA.
Mrs. Lucius M. Sargent (Marian Appleton Coolidge).
See Notebook, 9/16/83, no. 4.
T. K. Lothrop's cows in meadow at Beverly Farms.
Probably in notebook, 9/20/83, "very good."
See Notebook, 9/24/83, no. 2 or 3.
Different image from #50.85.
See Notebook, 9/22/83, no. 1.
"Muse of American History."First caption written by HA, second caption written by MHA.
Grace Minot in Henry Adams's study at Beverly Farms.
Notebook, 10/9/83, no. 12.
John Hay's house, Cleveland, interior view.
See Notebook, 10/10/83, no. 3.
Alice Hay outside, in velocipede.
See Notebook, 10/10/83, no. 1, "very good."
In front of tree, Del with bow and arrow.
See Notebook, 10/10/83, no. 6.
See Notebook, 10/10/83, no 5.
Three dogs at tea in garden.
See Notebook, 11/5/83, no. 8, "extremely good".
Same image as Photo. #50.16.
"'Dormitis nostra - memoria vestra.'" Arlington, Nov. 1883."Caption written by MHA.
View of Arlington National Cemetery.
See Notebook, 11/5/83, no. 11.
Same image as Photo. #50.41.
"E. T. B."First caption written by HA, second caption written by MHA.
In hammock in glass room, wrapped in white fur.
See Notebook, 11/12/83, no. 1 or 2.
C. Album 9: Portraits and landscapes, ca. 1885digital content
Arranged in the order in which they appear in the album.
NOTE: Use of this album is restricted. Color digital facsimiles are also available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-003.
Outdoors, 1/2 length, holding cat in cornfield.
Windmill, boy and dog in foreground, blurry.
1/2 length portrait.
Seated, 1/2 length, with cigar and book.
1/2 length portrait.
On piazza of house.
Seated and standing on piazza of house.
View of house with people on piazza.
Standing in meadow with house in background.
Standing in meadow with house in background.
Log farmhouse with man and woman standing in front.
Log farmhouse with man and woman standing in front.
Farm buildings with two women in background.
D. Loose photographs not in albumsdigital content
Please note that glass plate negatives from this collection are stored in a separate collection: Marian Hooper Adams glass plate negatives (Photo. Coll. 6.2).
GLASS PLATE NEGATIVES ARE RESTRICTED.
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Portraitsdigital content
Arranged alphabetically.
On verso: "H. A. April 1872/ Clover's room" in H. A.'s hand. Also on verso: "Removed from Black Album" in C. Steele's hand
See Notebook, 7/20/83, nos. 1 & 2.
Photo. 50.117 is a print in the album. Photo. 6.2.3 is the same image and is the glass
plate negative. The negative is from the Hooper-Adams papers.
Photo. 6.2.3 IS RESTRICTED.
See Notebook, 7/20/83, nos. 1 & 2.
Variant of photo #50.71.
Possibly in notebook, 11/4/83, no. 7.
See Notebook, 8/8/83, no. 7.
Possibly taken by MHA.
Viewsdigital content
Possibly taken by MHA
Possibly taken by MHA.
Possibly taken by MHA
II. Photographs of Marian Hooper Adamsdigital content
Arranged chronologically.
The young woman in the photograph does not appear to be MHA.
To request this item, follow this link to the MHS catalog and click on the red "Place Request" button.
Different image from Photo. #50.134.
About reproduction of these images
These images are available for researcher use and reproduction. Please see the Reference Librarian when requesting reproductions of original images. The list below refers to books that contain illustrations of photographs from this collection. These books are:
Eugenia Kaledin, The Education of Mrs. Henry Adams, Philadelphia, 1981.
J. C. Levenson, et al, editors, The Letters of Henry Adams, Volume II: 1868-1885, Cambridge, 1982.
Ward Thoron, editor, The Letters of Mrs. Henry Adams, 1865-1883, Boston, 1936.
Otto Freidrich, Clover, New York, 1979.
| Photo # | |
| #50.5 | -In Kaledin, p. 207 -In Thoron, p. 374 |
| #50.6 | -In Letters II, facing p. 572 |
| #50.7 | -In Kaledin, p. 200 -In Letters II, facing p. 358 |
| #50.8 | -In Kaledin, p. 201 |
| #50.9 | -In Letters II, facing p. 235 |
| #50.11 | -In Kaledin, p. 212 -In Letters II, facing p. 572 -In Friedrich, after p. 128 |
| #50.15 | -In Kaledin, p. 209 |
| #50.16 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 298 |
| #50.17 | -In Kaledin, p. 204 |
| #50.20 | -In Kaledin, p. 203 |
| #50.29 | -In Kaledin, p. 211 |
| #50.40 | -In Kaledin, p. 200 -In Letters II, facing p. 358 |
| #50.43 | -In Kaledin, p. 202 |
| #50.45 | -In Kaledin, p. 201 |
| #50.46 | -In Kaledin, p. 205 |
| #50.49 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 |
| #50.50 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 414 |
| #50.52 | -In Kaledin, p. 203 |
| #50.56 | -In Kaledin, p. 210 -In Letters II, facing p. 234 |
| #50.59 | -In Kaledin, p. 207 |
| #50.60 | -In Kaledin, p. 202 -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 388 |
| #50.65 | -In Kaledin, p. 205 |
| #50.67 | -In Kaledin, p. 208 -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 298 |
| #50.68 | -In Kaledin, p. 208 -In Friedrich, facing p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 230 |
| #50.70 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 |
| #50.71 | -In Thoron, p. 260 |
| #50.74 | -In Thoron, p. 332 |
| #50.79 | -In Kaledin, p. 204 |
| #50.87 | -In Letters II, facing p. 234 -In Friedrich, after p. 128 |
| #50.93 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 298 |
| #50.103 | -In Kaledin, p. 210 -In Letters II, facing p. 496 |
| #50.105 | -In Kaledin, p. 206 |
| #50.115 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 64 |
| #50.117 | -In Letters II, facing p. 497, dates it 13 Aug. 1883 |
| #50.118 | -In Kaledin, p. 199 -In Letters II, frontispiece |
| #50.122 | -In Letters II, facing p. 573 -In Friedrich, after p. 128, dated Dec. 1884 |
| #50.130 | -In Friedrich, facing p. 128 |
| #50.131 | -In Letters II, facing p. 132 -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, frontispiece |
| #50.132 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 14 |
| #50.133 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 14 |
| #50.134 | -In Friedrich, after p. 128 -In Thoron, p. 132 |
| #50.135 | -In Letters II, facing p. 159 |
Name Subject Index
Photos without album or page numbers are loose photographs stored in boxes 1 and 2. Note that many of the loose photographs are located in another collection. Consult the Guide for further details.
| Name | Photo # |
| Adams, Abigail Brooks | #50.60 |
| Adams, Brooks, 1848-1927 | #50.61 |
| Adams, Charles Francis, 1807-1886 | #50.60 |
| Adams, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1835-1915 | #50.43 #50.44 |
| Adams, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1866-1954 | #50.49 #50.54 #50.55 |
| Adams, George C | #50.45 #50.49 #50.54 #50.55 |
| Adams, Henry , 1838-1918 | #50.50 #50.52 #50.71 #50.114 #50.115 #50.116 #50.117 #50.118 |
| Adams, Marian, 1843-1885 | #50.128 #50.129 See also Photo. 1.433 [daguerreotype] #50.130 #50.131 #50.132 #50.133 #50.134 #50.135 #50.136 #50.137 #50.138 |
| Adams, Mary | #50.45 #50.49 #50.54 #50.55 |
| Adams, Mary Ogden, 1843-1935 | #50.49 #50.54 #50.55 |
| Bancroft, George, 1800-1891 | #50.7 |
| Bancroft, Elizabeth Davis, 1803-1886 | #50.8 #50.40 |
| Bartlett, Sidney, 1799-1889 | #50.77 #50.78 |
| Bell, Mrs. Joseph | #50.66 |
| Bonaparte, Jerome | #50.20 |
| Dodge, Rebecca | #50.9 #50.10 #50.23 #50.106 #50.109 #50.110 |
| Dupuy de Lome, Enrique | #50.12 |
| Dupuy de Lome, Señora | #50.13 #50.31 |
| Evarts, William Maxwell, 1818-1901 | #50.29 #50.30 |
| Field, J. W. | #50.25 |
| Field, Mrs. | #50.26 |
| Frelinghuysen, Lucy | #50.35 |
| Graff, [Miss] | #50.46 |
| Gordon, John Brown, 1832-1904 | #50.19 |
| Hay, Alice | #50.90 |
| Hay, Del | #50.91 #50.92 |
| Hay, John, 1838-1905 | #50.5 7 #50.6 |
| Hayward, Daisy | #50.96 |
| Hegermann-Lindencrone, L. de (Lillie de), 1844-1928 | #50.81 #50.82 |
| Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1841-1935 | #50.13 #50.15 |
| Hooper, Ellen | #50.75 |
| Hooper, Eunice | #50.70 |
| Hooper, Loulie | #50.75 |
| Hooper, Polly | #50.75 |
| Hooper, Robert W., 1810-1885 | #50.69 |
| Howe, George D. | #50.65 |
| LaFarge, John, 1835-1910 | #50.103 |
| Lamar, L. Q. C. (Lucius Quintus Cinncinnatus), 1825-1893 | #50.18 |
| Langdon, [Miss] | #50.51 |
| Lowndes, James | #50.73 #50.73 |
| Lyman, Mrs. Theodore (Mimi) | #50.62 #50.119 |
| Lyman, Theodore, 1833-1897 | #50.62 #50.119 |
| McLean, Emily Beale | #50.85 |
| Miles, Nelson Appleton, 1839-1925 | #50.105 |
| Millet, Elizabeth Greely (Lily) Merrill, 1853-1932 | #50.21 #50.22 |
| Minot, Grace | #50.79 #50.88 |
| Moulton, N. | #50.83 |
| Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893 | #50.58 #50.59 |
| Pendleton, [Miss] | #50.36 |
| Peters, Mrs. [Willius?] | #50.32 #50.33 #50.34 |
| Pratt, Alice | #50.65 |
| Pratt, Mrs. Ellerton | #50.65 |
| Pumpelly, Raphael, 1837-1923 | #50.4 |
| Richardson, Clifford | #50.106 #50.107 |
| Richardson, H. H. (Henry Hobson), 1838-1886 | #50.11 |
| Sargent, Marian Appleton Coolidge | #50.84 |
| Scott, Mrs. James | #50.63 #50.64 See also Photo. 6.2.2 [glass plate negative] |
| Silsbee, Patty | #50.24 |
| Valera, Señor | #50.102 |
| Whitney, Helen Hay, 1875-1944 | #50.91 #50.92 |
| Wilder, Betsy | #50.67 |
Place Subject Index
| Place | Photo # |
| Adams National Historic Park (Quincy, Mass.) | #50.42 #50.60 |
| Arlington National Cemetery | #50.41 #50.94 |
| Beverly Farms (Mass.) | #50.46 #50.47 #50.48 #50.49 #50.53 #50.54 #50.55 #50.56 #50.65 #50.66 #50.72 #50.74 #50.80 #50.85 #50.86 #50.87 #50.88 #50.121 #50.123 #50.131 |
| Bladensburg (Md.) | #50.98 #50.99 #50.100 #50.101 |
| Cleveland (Ohio) | #50.89 |
| Falmouth (Mass.) | #50.96 #50.97 |
| Manchester (Mass.) | #50.63 #50.64 |
| Marblehead (Mass.) | #50.70 |
| Mount Vernon (Va.: Estate) | #50.138 |
| Old Sweet Springs (Va.) | #50.106 #50.107 #50.108 #50.109 #50.110 #50.111 #50.112 #50.113 |
| Washington (D.C.) | #50.1 #50.2 #50.3 #50.37 #50.38 #50.39 #50.122 |
| Wenlock Abbey (England) | #50.134 #50.135 #50.136 |
Preferred Citation
Marian Hooper Adams photographs, Photo. Coll. 50, Massachusetts Historical Society Photo Archives.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.