Guide to the Commonplace Book Belonging to an Unidentified Woman, circa 1841 SPEC.RARE.MMS.0435 Finding aid prepared by Sierra Sales Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections

1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210

2026 February This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-03-05T10:13-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Commonplace Book Belonging to an Unidentified Woman SPEC.RARE.MMS.0435 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 1 0.08 Cubic feet circa 1841 Commonplace books are personal notebooks used to compile information the owner finds interesting or useful. The Commonplace Book Belonging to an Unidentified Woman, dated circa 1841, contains transcriptions of 19th century English poems, and black and white illustrations of 18th century Scottish poems and ballads, like "Auld Robin Gray." Colored illustrations of flowers, children, fashion, and ships are also included throughout the book. (1) flat box English Unknown Acquisitions Information

Accession No.RARE.2026.0022: Purchased, 2023 December

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Commonplace Book Belonging to an Unidentified Woman, SPEC.RARE.MMS.0435, Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Ohio State University

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.

Use of Materials

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Processing Information

Processed by: Sierra Sales, 2026 February; Finding aid written by: Sierra Sales, 2026 February

Historical Note

Commonplace books are personal notebooks used to compile information the owner finds interesting or useful. These books can contain notes, recipes, quotes, poems, prayers, and other references. Commonplace books gained widespread popularity in English-speaking countries by the seventeeth century.

Scope and Contents

The Commonplace Book Belonging to an Unidentified Woman, dated circa 1841, contains transcriptions of 19th century English poems, and black and white illustrations of 18th century Scottish poems and ballads, like "Auld Robin Gray." Colored illustrations of flowers, children, fashion, and ships are also included throughout the book. The titles of the illustrations are written below in small handwriting. The owner of this commonplace book did not attach a name to a majority of the poems, but English poets Lord Byron and Hannah More are credited in the book.

Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824 More, Hannah, 1745-1833 Commonplace books English poetry--19th century English poetry--Scottish authors--18th century English poetry--Scottish authors--Illustrations--19th century Illustrated books Poetry Women--19th century