They cover the years of the poet's greatest ambition, documenting his path to eventual success, as well as the many obstacles that he had to overcome. Riley to national literary recognition and wealth and Bottsford to obscurity and poverty. Unpublished until now, the fifteen letters that follow exemplify the character of the entire Bottsford Collection, which has resided at Indiana University's Lilly Library for the last twenty-five years. We offer this sampling in an effort not only to arouse interest in our forthcoming edited edition that will contain both Riley's letters to Bottsford as well as the few extant letters that Clara sent to him, but also to encourage a general reconsideration of Riley's life, his inspiration and true achievement. As we approach Riley's 150th birthday in 1999, much will be made of the Hoosier poet.
Plans are in the works for lectures, publications, festivals, and ceremonies of all kinds.
He is closer to us, more modern, than we have previously acknowledged, and his achievement is perhaps more significant than we currently recognize. By removing the rose-colored glasses, we will discover a Riley of new relevance. The IHS invites you to read a few samples of the Riley-Bottsford correspondence .