JOHN CLARK RIDPATH - AUTOGRAPH LETTER DOUBLE SIGNED 04/19/1886 - HFSID 851

JOHN CLARK RIDPATH
The renowned American educator and historian writes to an admirer, informing her of the historical importance of the day, signs name twice in black ink
Autograph letter double signed: "John Clark Ridpath" and "J.C.R." in black ink. 1 page, 7¾x9½. Clipping of original handwritten envelope affixed with red ribbon. Written on DePauw University letterhead. Greencastle, Indiana. April 19, 1886. In full: "My dear Madam:- I take pleasure in complying with your courteous request. Yours truly" Post script: "A quarter of a century ago to-day was the first-bloodshed of the civil war". John Clark Ridpath (1840-1900) was an American educator, historian and editor. Born in Indiana to parents who had moved there from West Virginia, Ridpath had little early education beyond that of the frontier schools; but his insatiable taste for books made him a teacher at the age of seventeen, and by nineteen he entered Indiana Asbury College (later DePauw University) where he graduated with the highest honors of his class. He worked in education administration until he landed a job as a professor of English literature at his alma mater in 1869, and would work his way up becoming vice-president of the emerging university. In the later 1890s, Ridpath left his position to focus on his writing, mostly of which were history volumes, and include History of Texas (1884), A Cyclopaedia of Universal History (1880-4), Ridpath's History of the World (1894), and The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature (1898). Toned. Light surface creases. Corners rounded. Slight adhesive residue on verso of envelope clipping. Otherwise, fine condition.