Various stages in the career of James Russell Lowell are brought to light in an exhibition of unpublished letters and first editions from his pen in the Lowell House Library. The collection has been loaned through the courtesy of the poet's grandson, Dr. F. L. Burnett '02 and Miss Elizabeth Putnam, a relative.

A first edition of his first poems is featured. This volume was Lowell's engagement present to his first wife. The fly leaf of the volume has written on it an expression of love in his pen. Two letters, one written when he became ambassador to Spain and the other at the time he was the representative of the United States at the Court of St. James, have never been published. These letters are entirely in his autograph.

Among other first editions is the 1848 first edition of the poet's "A Fable for Critics" in which he discusses his contemporaries without revealing his own identity at any time.

The exhibitions in the House library are under the supervision of W. S. Thomas '33. House members or their relatives contribute the greater part of the material for display.