Ralph E. W. Earl Letters
In the first of these letters, W. B. Lewis tells Ralph Earl that the orders Earl sent were not the orders that he wanted. He goes on to explain that he needs copies of the orders that the Secretary of War sent to General Gaines. In the second letter, A. J. Donelson describes his and Andrew Jackson's movements, relates military news, expresses his distaste for Blakely, Alabama (from whence he is writing), apologizes for leaving before his portrait was completed, and sends his respects to Earl and several others.
Dates
- 1818 November 2-1821 May 6
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 oversize folder)
Abstract
In the first of these letters, W. B. Lewis tells Earl that the orders Earl sent were not the orders that he wanted. He goes on to explain that he needs copies of the orders that the Secretary of War sent to General Gaines. In the second letter, A. J. Donelson describes his and Andrew Jackson's movements, relates military news, expresses his distaste for Blakely, Alabama (from whence he is writing), apologizes for leaving before his portrait was completed, and sends his respects to Earl and several others.
Biographical/Historical Note
Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl was born to painter Ralph Earl and his second wife, Anne Whiteside, in England in approximately 1785. He came to America with his family as a child and studied painting with his father in Northampton, Massachusetts. He returned to England in 1809 to study under Benjamin West and John Trumbull and later traveled extensively, eventually arriving in Nashville on January 1, 1817 to paint Andrew Jackson's portrait. He met and married Rachel Jackson's niece, Jane Caffrey, later that year. Jane died in 1818, but Earl remained a part of Jackson's circle. After 1828, he specialized in portraits of Jackson and his intimates and was known facetiously as The King's Painter. Earl died at the Hermitage (near Nashville) on September 16, 1838.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
The University of Tennessee's Special Collections Library purchased these letters in 1975.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository