Memories of Hawthorne

In Short

Rose Hawthorne Lathrop compiles the detailed letters and personal journals of her mother, Sophia Hawthorne, to depict the domestic and social world of her father, Nathaniel Hawthorne. The narrative spans from the initial courtship of the couple in Salem through their idyllic early married years in Concord, their high-profile travels across England and Italy, and their return to America. Rather than presenting a dry biography, the text lives through Sophia’s delicate, insightful observations of family life, artistic pursuits, and encounters with iconic nineteenth-century figures. It endures as a portrait of absolute mutual devotion and creative partnership, offering an affectionate, grounded view behind a literary legend.

The Story

The book traces the personal life and family world of Nathaniel Hawthorne, primarily through the preserved correspondence and journals of his wife, Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, compiled and framed by their youngest daughter, Rose. Beginning in the quiet circles of Salem, Massachusetts, the narrative opens with the meeting and gradual wooing between the Hawthorne and Peabody families. Sophia, an artistic and delicate young woman, finds herself drawn to the gifted, reserved writer. Following a period of discreet engagement filled with shared artistic endeavors, letters, and visits, the couple marries and establishes an idyllic home at the Old Manse in Concord. There, surrounded by nature and visits from friends like Ralph Waldo Emerson, they cultivate a quiet, radiant domestic life centered on literature, outdoor walks, and parental pride in their children, Una and Julian.

As Hawthorne’s reputation grows following the publication of major works like The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, the focus shifts to their residence in Salem and Berkshire, where family routines seamlessly blend with literary fame. The narrative expands significantly when Hawthorne takes up the post of American Consul at Liverpool. The family travels to England, where Sophia records their impressions of English society, long country walks, formal dinners, and meetings with prominent figures such as Bryan Procter, Leigh Hunt, and William Jerdan. Sophia writes thoughtfully on the stark contrasts of English rank, comparing the refined ease of the aristocracy with the plight of the poor.

The arc continues through the family’s travels in Europe, including their time in Italy, where they mingle with international artistic circles, including Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Wetmore Story, and General Franklin Pierce. This European period brings both cultural enrichment and hardship, marked by Una’s severe bout of Roman fever, during which friends rally around the family with deep affection. Returning at last to Concord to live at The Wayside, the narrative captures the return to American family life, neighboring friendships with Louisa May Alcott and Emerson, and small daily routines. The chronicle draws toward a quiet conclusion following Hawthorne's death, closing on his enduring literary legacy and the deep, unshakeable bonds of love that defined his household.

How It Unfolds

The Salem acquaintance The Peabody family reaches out to the quiet Hawthorne household, sparking early visits and shared literary gatherings. Sophia paints and reads deeply while Nathaniel woos her, leading to a joyful engagement supported by close friends.

Paradise in Concord The newlyweds settle at the Old Manse, where they spend their days reading classic English authors, skating on frozen meadows, and observing nature. Sophia records the birth and early childhood of their daughter Una and son Julian in affectionate detail.

Salem and literary triumphs Life moves to Salem as Hawthorne publishes The Scarlet Letter, winning praise from readers and friends. Sophia records daily routines, family walks, and Hawthorne's reading of his manuscripts aloud in the evenings.

Crossing to England Hawthorne takes up his consular post in Liverpool, opening a chapter of high society dinners and excursions across the countryside. Sophia notes the quiet grace of English social life alongside her thoughts on social rank and poverty.

The European circle The family ventures to Italy, establishing temporary homes where they host figures like Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. A grave illness for Una brings intense anxiety, met by the warm support of visiting American and European friends.

Return to The Wayside The family settles back in Concord, exchanging poems and gifts with neighbors like Louisa May Alcott while maintaining their quiet family traditions. The narrative concludes reflecting on Hawthorne's lasting presence, his deep affection for his family, and the enduring beauty of his memory.

The People

• Sophia Hawthorne: Nathaniel's wife, whose letters form the heart of the text. Highly artistic, deeply observant, and intensely devoted to her husband, she views the world with profound appreciation for beauty, art, and nature while managing the home and raising their children.
• Nathaniel Hawthorne: The central figure around whom the book revolves. Portrayed not as a distant literary giant, but as a deeply loving husband and father, devoted to quiet routine, fond of simple pleasures like carving whistles or reading aloud, yet possessing a sharp, penetrating intellect.
• Rose Hawthorne Lathrop: The compiler and author, daughter of Nathaniel and Sophia. She provides thoughtful contextual framing and personal childhood memories, reflecting on her father’s character and her mother’s radiant spirit.
• Una and Julian Hawthorne: The couple’s older children, who grow up throughout the narrative. Una appears as a sensitive, bright girl whose severe illness in Rome brings out the family’s resilience, while Julian is portrayed as a playful, spirited child.
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning: Close friends made during the family's European travels. Elizabeth offers gentle, compassionate support during family trials, while Robert is depicted as energetic, animated, and lively in conversation.

In Its Own Voice

"And when he reads to me, it is the acutest criticism. Such a voice, too,--such sweet thunder!" Sophia expresses her utter delight during their early married life in Concord, listening to her husband read classic literature aloud in their study.

"I saw and felt in a moment how beyond computation and desert I was still rich,--richest." Sophia describes the profound comfort her husband provided her upon learning of her father's death while they were living abroad.

"The Hawthorne is a gracious tree / From latest twig to parent root, / For when all others leafless stand / It gayly blossoms and bears fruit." Neighbor Louisa May Alcott writes these warm verses in a gift poem sent to the family at The Wayside in Concord.

What It's Really About

Beneath the biographical details and social anecdotes, the book explores the nature of domestic intimacy as a foundation for artistic genius. It argues that Nathaniel Hawthorne’s inner strength and literary vision were deeply nourished by the quiet sanctuary of his home and the unconditional devotion of his wife.

The text also functions as a meditation on perception, beauty, and memory. Sophia’s writing continuously seeks out spiritual and aesthetic light—whether in a sunset over a frozen meadow, a classical sculpture, or a simple family walk. Through her eyes, the everyday responsibilities of parenthood, friendship, and homemaking are elevated into an ongoing artistic practice, showing how love and a shared commitment to beauty can sustain a family through travel, public scrutiny, and grief.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to anyone who enjoys nineteenth-century literary history, intimate personal letters, or candid glimpses into the private lives of famous figures. Rather than offering a detached, academic biography, it provides an authentic, firsthand immersion into the daily atmosphere of the Transcendentalist era and the expatriate American arts scene in Europe. Readers who appreciate the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, or the Brownings will find delightful, unscripted appearances by these figures throughout the text.

The primary difficulty for modern readers lies in its relaxed, episodic structure and period prose. Because the narrative relies heavily on actual letters and journal entries, the pace reflects nineteenth-century correspondence—moving unhurriedly through detailed descriptions of weather, child-rearing, domestic chores, and lengthy social calls. It demands a patient reader willing to sink into its leisurely rhythm. However, what stays with you is the overwhelming warmth of the household, the vivid visual sense of Sophia’s prose, and the rare, gentle view of Nathaniel Hawthorne as a devoted father and tender companion.