The Seasons

Description:

James Thomson’s The Seasons was published by T.B. Jansen & Company of New York in 1803. The epic poem was originally published in four parts: “Winter” in 1726, “Summer” in 1727, “Spring” in 1729, and “Autumn” in 1730. The four seasons were later published as a single volume. This publication also contains a lengthy biography of James Thomson written by Robert Heron prefixed to the poem. The Seasons was a reflection on nature’s changes through the seasons, in flowery language and blank verse.

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life, Cultures & Communities, Copp Collection

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of John Brenton Copp

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: DL.006868.046Catalog Number: 006868.046Accession Number: 28810

Object Name: book

Measurements: overall: 3/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 3 7/8 in; 1.905 cm x 6.35 cm x 9.8425 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-13ef-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1461028

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