Hosmer, Alfred W. (Alfred Winslow), 1851-1903

Born and died in Concord, Mass., Alfred Winslow Hosmer (1851-1903) was a dry goods merchant, photographer, naturalist, and an early admirer of Thoreau and collector of his writings. His Thoreau library is now part of the Special Collections of the Concord Free Public Library.

From the description of Alfred Winslow Hosmer papers relating primarily to botany, [1872]-1902 (bulk 1887-1902). (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 36288044

Alfred Winslow Hosmer (1851-1903) was a lifelong resident of Concord, Massachusetts and a member of one of Concord's oldest families. He made his living as a clerk and later owner of a dry goods store, but also as a photographer. Hosmer was one of Concord's most accomplished early photographers. His images capture the people, houses, institutions, and landscape of the town, including many locations associated with Thoreau. Hosmer's intimate knowledge of Concord's people and landscapes and his association with Thoreau, which included collecting Thoreauviana, allowed him to develop an in-depth knowledge of the man and his work. As a result, Hosmer formed a collaborative relationship with Dr. Samuel A. Jones, a Thoreau scholar, and Henry S. Salt, a Thoreau biographer. Also included among those working to create an awareness of the life and work of Thoreau were Daniel Ricketson, H.G.O. Blake, A.H. Japp and Franklin Benjamin Sanborn. Because Hosmer was in Concord and Jones was in Michigan, Jones maintained contact with Concord through Hosmer, also relying on Hosmer's native knowledge to enrich his understanding of Thoreau and Thoreau's Concord. Hosmer spent untold hours walking in Thoreau's footsteps and photographing the places discussed in Thoreau's writings. His grangerized additions to Salt's revised edition of the Life of Henry David Thoreau (1896) were vital in advancing Thoreau scholarship. The book is in the collection of the Concord Free Public Library.

From the description of Correspondence to Alfred Winslow Hosmer relating to Henry David Thoreau, 1849-1949 (bulk 1890-1903). (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 52307153

Images of dogs, cats, and horses.

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. animals [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444339

Photographer, naturalist, & early Thoreauvian of Concord, Mass.

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. North Bridge area [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40603601

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified individuals and family group portraits [graphic] : family names from Angier to Shepard, [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40739907

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. miscellaneous images (primarily photographs of maps, engravings, and paintings) [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444838

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Thoreauviana [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444792

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. sites relating to Nathaniel Hawthorne [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444798

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. trees, bushes plants, etc. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444352

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of the Concord River, including boating and bridge scenes in Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39640619

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Walden Pond, Concord, Mass., and surrounding area [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39640651

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. recreational groups (identified and unidentified) [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40494649

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified houses and buildings on Virginia Rd., Walden St., Westford Rd., Williams Rd., and Wood St. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40457660

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified houses and buildings on Nashawtuc Rd., intersection of Old Bedford Rd./Lexington Rd. (Merriam's/Meriam's Corner), Old Bedford Rd., Powder Mill Rd. (corner Sudbury Rd.), River St., Simon Willard Rd. (corner Musketaquid Rd.), Strawberry Hill Rd., Sudbury Rd. Thoreau Court, & Thoreau St. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40457559

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. various monuments and markers (exclusive of North Bridge area) [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40474576

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. school buildings (including images showing students) [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40474386

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of the Sudbury River, including boating and bridge scenes in Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39550061

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. streetscapes/area views ; roads and paths [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39847615

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. houses and buildings [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39847646

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified houses and buildings on Liberty St., Lowell Rd., intersection of Lowell Rd./Westford Rd., Main St. (Concord Center), Main St., & the intersection of Main St./Sudbury Rd., including Concord Free Public Library [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40457241

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified houses and buildings on Main St., Monument Square, & Monument St. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40457386

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. landscape views and natural features [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39549956

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. portraits [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39847650

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of houses & buildings outside Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40474486

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. unidentified houses and buildings, exteriors and interiors [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40474436

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. landscape views [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39550007

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified individuals and family group portraits [graphic] : family names from Smith to Wheeler, [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40739961

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. unidentified individuals and groups [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40740051

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. cemeteries and graves [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444348

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. identified houses and buildings on Academy Ln., Baker Ave., Barrett's Mill Rd., Bedford St., Bow St., Cambridge Turnpike, Commonwealth Ave. (West Concord), Elm St., Hayward Ct./Main St., intersection of Hubbard & Walden Sts., Hubbard St., Lewis Rd., & Lexington Rd. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40432003

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. roads and paths [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40431960

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. monuments and historic markers [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444346

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. composite photographs [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40444497

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of Concord, Mass. streetscapes/area views [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40431939

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of the Assabet River, including boating scenes in Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39640480

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer glass plate negative images of various natural features in Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39640742

Alfred Winslow Hosmer (1851-1903), born and died in Concord, was a dry goods merchant, photographer, naturalist, and early admirer and collector of Thoreau. Henry Stephens Salt (1851-1939) was a British author, naturalist, social reformer, and biographer of Thoreau. The first edition of Salt's Life of Henry David Thoreau was published in 1890, the second in 1896. The second edition of Salt's Life included much material supplied to Salt by Alfred Winslow Hosmer and Samuel Arthur Jones. Between 1896 and 1903, Hosmer put together his grangerized (i.e. extra-illustrated) copy of

(cont.) the second edition of Salt's Life. It is now in the Special Collections of the Concord Free Public Library. Hosmer's numerous additions expanded the single volume of the work as printed into two volumes. Hosmer added to Salt as printed: photographs, many of them Hosmer's own, annotated in Hosmer's hand with quotations from Thoreau; letters; and pieces of manuscript. The added photographs are primarily of people and places known to Thoreau.

From the description of Copy prints reproduced from original photographs in Alfred W. Hosmer's grangerized life of Henry David Thoreau, by Henry S. Salt : with typed transcriptions of Hosmer's manuscript captions to the photographs, [1994]. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 36308386

Photographer, naturalist, & early Thoreauvian of Concord, Mass.; b. in Concord June 4, 1851, d. in Concord May 7, 1903. Remembered for his role in establishing Henry David Thoreau's reputation as a major author. One of the earliest admirers & promoters of Thoreau's life & writings. He expressed his sympathy with & interest in Thoreau through his own first-hand observations of the flora & fauna of Concord, his Thoreau-related photography, his correspondence with other Thoreau enthusiasts, & his active collecting of Thoreauviana.

(Cont.) Sometime in the early to mid-1880s, he took up photography in a serious way, producing a number of landscape views of Concord. He was also a studio photographer who made portraits of individuals & groups, of people's children & of their pets. Presumably commissioned by homeowners, he took photographs of recently constructed as well as historic homes.

Cite as: Alfred W. Hosmer Collection of Glass Plate Negative Images Primarily of Concord, Mass., Special Collections, Concord Free Public Library, Concord, Mass.

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmer collection of glass plate negative images primarily of Concord, Mass. [graphic], [not before 1880]-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 39549821

Alfred Winslow Hosmer (1851-1903), born and died in Concord, Mass., was a dry goods merchant, photographer, naturalist, and an early admirer and collector of Thoreau. Henry Stephens Salt (1851-1939) was a British author, naturalist, social reformer, and biographer of Thoreau. The first edition of Salt's Life of Henry David Thoreau was published in 1890, the second in 1896. The second edition of Salt's Life included much material supplied to Salt by Alfred Winslow Hosmer and Samuel Arthur Jones. Hosmer put together his grangerized (i.e. extra-illustrated) copy of the second edition of Salt's.

(Cont.) Life between 1896 and 1903.

From the description of Alfred W. Hosmers's grangerized life of Henry David Thoreau, by Henry S. Salt (2nd ed.) : copy of printed book extensively extra-illustrated by Alfred W. Hosmer, 1896-1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 36227186