Great substack post. I’m sure you know, but the Huntington Library has “virtual reading room” appointments. They’re an hour long, and during that time, one of their archivists sits with a camera on a desk and displays each document you want to see. You can take a screenshot of them, or they will email you scans of up to ten pages. And it’s free! You can have as many as you want, just one hour at a time. It’s been a godsend to me as I’ve been researching my biography of Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. https://researchguides.huntington.org/usingthelibrary/remoteservices#s-lg-box-33138567
Thanks! I didn't know that about the Huntington--was thinking about going there in March, but that's also because I thought being in LA in March might be nice...
Many thanks for this wonderful essay. It perfectly describes my own experience in preparing a book on LBJ’s war on poverty. I’m teetering on the edge of writing and doing yet more research because I want to get as close as possible to the “nature” of the subject.
Thanks also for the word “asymptotic.” It’s the best word possible for historical research! I’d never heard of it before last Monday …
Thank you so much for writing this piece and publishing it on Substack, where I read it. So many of the points you've made I have wondered about as I research my subject: Grace Adams East (1900-1968), America's "Foremost Woman Trumpeter" (in the 1930s-1940s). Being a much less historic individual makes writing her story somewhat more difficult. But now I know my efforts are similar in nature if not in magnitude to other biographers. Thanks again and good luck in your efforts.
Great substack post. I’m sure you know, but the Huntington Library has “virtual reading room” appointments. They’re an hour long, and during that time, one of their archivists sits with a camera on a desk and displays each document you want to see. You can take a screenshot of them, or they will email you scans of up to ten pages. And it’s free! You can have as many as you want, just one hour at a time. It’s been a godsend to me as I’ve been researching my biography of Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. https://researchguides.huntington.org/usingthelibrary/remoteservices#s-lg-box-33138567
What a wonderful dollop of information. Now I’ve got to think of a project!
Thanks! I didn't know that about the Huntington--was thinking about going there in March, but that's also because I thought being in LA in March might be nice...
Many thanks for this wonderful essay. It perfectly describes my own experience in preparing a book on LBJ’s war on poverty. I’m teetering on the edge of writing and doing yet more research because I want to get as close as possible to the “nature” of the subject.
Thanks also for the word “asymptotic.” It’s the best word possible for historical research! I’d never heard of it before last Monday …
Thank you so much for writing this piece and publishing it on Substack, where I read it. So many of the points you've made I have wondered about as I research my subject: Grace Adams East (1900-1968), America's "Foremost Woman Trumpeter" (in the 1930s-1940s). Being a much less historic individual makes writing her story somewhat more difficult. But now I know my efforts are similar in nature if not in magnitude to other biographers. Thanks again and good luck in your efforts.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!