Temporary record

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Joseph Paxton set up law offices on Walnut Street in the Catawissa (later Reading) Railroad building. Joseph Paxton, Sr., had begun this rail line and remained in Catawissa to oversee his extensive agricultural and manufacturing interests. The younger Paxton often assisted in running his father's affairs in the city.

The younger Paxton had a considerable literary as well as legal talent. He translated French plays, wrote dramatic versions of Dickens' stories for the local theatre, contributed to periodicals, and edited the literary gazette, Bizarre in 1854-55. He declined a diplomatic post offered to him by President Lincoln in 1861, serving instead as captain of the 15th US Infantry during the Civil War.

Scope and contents:

The collection consists entirely of incoming letters, half concerning legal and financial matters, and half literary.

M-1898

Subjects

Lawyers--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Philadelphia (Pa.)--Literature
Writers--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia

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