The Nineteenth Century was a golden age of pamphleteering in America. The confluence of several trends - a growing population, rising literacy, cheap mass printing, and new channels of distribution - spurred an unprecedented outburst of publication. A rapidly changing society provided ample grist for the polemical mill: industrialization, immigration, the Protestant Revival, slavery, the rights of women, the welfare of children, railroads, banking, temperance, secession, and civil war.
The Tisch Library Pamphlets Collection contains over 6000 items, mainly from the 19th Century, although there are a small number of titles older or more recent. The collection is not cataloged title-by-title. It is recommended that readers scan the Excel file of short titles referenced under "Access to the Collection" (below) and consult the Coordinator of Special Collections to arrange for further study.
The Pamphlets Collection is not cataloged title-by-title. There is a spreadsheet of short titles with brief subject terms.
To consult pamphlets in Special Collections, send email to specialcollections@tufts.edu. List the pamphlet numbers you wish to see, e.g. 007:21, 111:06, and tell us if you can visit during weekly open hours (Tuesday & Thursday, 1-4 PM) or need to come at another time. A member of our department will write back to confirm your visit or to make an appointment for alternate time, normally Monday-Friday 10 AM - 4 PM.
Please contact Christopher Barbour, Head of Special Collections, for questions or more information.
