Two extraordinary research institutions, the Huntington Library and the National Humanities Center, have supported me in my work on this and other books.
During 1981-1982, I had the advantage of the Huntington’s archival resources, excellent librarians, and lovely sunshine. I am indebted to the former Director of the Library, James Thorpe, and to the Director of Research, Martin Ridge. I am also indebted to the Senior Research Fellows for inviting me to the Huntington, and to the staff for facilitating my work, particularly Librarian Daniel H. Woodward, Curator of Manuscripts Mary Robertson, Assistant Curator of Manuscripts Susan Hodson, Curator of Rare Books Alan Jutzi, Head of Reader Services Virginia I. Renner, Head of Photographic Services Robert Schlosser, and Assistant Curator of Art Shelley M. Bennett, as well as Harriet McLoone, Janet Hawkins, Susan Naulty, Barbara Quinn, Leona Schonfeld, Elsa Sink, and Doris Smedes. A version of Chapter 1 was presented as a Huntington lecture to the following colleagues, who, on this and other projects, were generous with both their suggestions and time: Leland Carlson, Horton Davies, John G. Demaray, Martha Demaray, Daniel Donno, Elizabeth Donno, Robert Halsband, Terry Kelly, Arthur Kinney, James Riddell, William A. Ringler, Jr., Hallett Smith, John M. Steadman, and Stanley Stewart.
An earlier version of Chapter 2 was given as a lecture at a meeting of the California Dickens Project at the University of California, Riverside, in 1983. I owe special thanks to my University of California colleagues on that project, particularly Murray Baumgarten, Edwin Eigner, and John Jordan, who have warmly supported and perceptively helped me in my work and in creating a national community of Dickens scholars.
Norman Fruman kindly read and commented on an earlier version of this book, and Jay Williams made many valuable suggestions.
I am particularly indebted to Mrs. Arthur Sherwood, now retired from her position as Literary Editor at Princeton University Press, for her interest in and support of this book, and for her many years of successful service to the Press and to the world of literary scholarship. Her successor, Robert E. Brown, has kindly and carefully seen this book through the Press. Janet Stern’s expert copyediting has made the book more consistent and readable. Rhoda Weyr has helped in important ways. I thank Amy Robbins and Georges Borchardt, of Georges Borchardt, Inc., for their usual consideration and professionalism.
The creation and final revision of these Acknowledgments was done at the National Humanities Center, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, where the Director, Charles Blitzer, and the Associate Director, Kent Mullikin, have created a research institution that does everything possible to encourage scholarship and writing. I owe them, and their associates, my deepest respect and appreciation.
Gloria Kaplan gave of her time and encouragement with perceptiveness, knowledgeability, and generosity.
It is to Carl Woodring that this book is dedicated, in appreciation for his decades of selfless service to our profession. My own debt is great; we shall not see his like again.
National Humanities Center
1986