Guide to the Erasmus Wilson's "The Quiet Observer", 1900-1901, DAR.1937.44
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Erasmus Wilson's "The Quiet Observer"
- Collection Number
- DAR.1937.44
- Extent
- .42 Linear Feet
- Extent
- 1 box
- Date
- 1900-1901
- Abstract
- The "Quiet Observer," created and edited by popular newspaper columnist Erasmus Wilson, was a weekly periodical containing articles, poems, and short stories written by Wilson and other authors. This collection contains 25 issues from volume one of the publication.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Caroline E. Berry on May 18, 2022.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from the Cadmus Book Shop, New York, NY on December 17, 1937 and was probably part of Charles W. Dahlinger Library.
Biographical / Historical
Erasmus Wilson (1842-1922), also known as "Ras," began his newspaper career in 1865 writing for the Washington Advance, a weekly newspaper in Washington, Pennsylvania. After some time, the Advance transitioned to daily publication and renamed the Washington Observer. In 1873, Wilson left his position at the Washington Observer and moved to Pittsburgh, where he began writing for the Pittsburgh Leader.
Wilson remained at the Pittsburgh Leader for four years, making $10 per week. After theLeader, Wilson moved to the Commercial Gazette, where he stayed for only a short period until he began working as a freelance writer. In 1882, Wilson started writing for the Pittsburg Dispatch, and in 1884, he began his "Quiet Observer" column. Finally, in 1888, Erasmus Wilson returned to the Commercial Gazette, where he remained for the rest of his career.
In 1881, Erasmus Wilson was one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Press Club and was thereafter known as the "dean of Pittsburgh newspapermen."
In his "Quiet Observer" column, Wilson wrote about a variety of topics, including observations on human nature and questions of philosophy. In 1900, Wilson expanded his column to a weekly periodical that featured his work, along with that of other writers works.
"The Quiet Observer" column is also known for launching the career of journalist, Nellie Bly. In 1885, while at the Pittsburg Dispatch, Erasmus Wilson wrote an article for the "Quiet Observer" titled, "What Girls are Good For," which criticized the prospect of women entering the workforce. Writing to the newspaper, Nellie Bly responded with her article, "The Girl Puzzle," which advocated for women and girls' entrance into the workforce, and it was this response that earned her a reporting job for the Pittsburg Dispatch.
Aside from his writing career, Erasmus Wilson was involved with the Boy Scouts of Allegheny County, where he served as president of the organization and later, president emeritus. The boy scouts often referred to him as "Uncle Ras."
Erasmus Wilson was born in Belmont County, Ohio on June 10, 1842, as the son of Joseph A. Wilson and Isabel Kerr.
As a young man, Erasmus Wilson joined the Union Army in the Company E 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was mustered into service on August 20, 1862. On October 8, 1862, Wilson fought in the Battle of Perrysville, where he was wounded. After recovering for several months, Wilson rejoined his company and went on to fight in the Chickamauga and Atlanta campaigns, culminating in Sherman's March to Sea. In May 1865, Wilson marched in the Grand Review in Washington D.C., and in June 1865, Wilson's regiment was mustered out.
In 1876, Erasmus Wilson married Janetta Macauley, who died in 1904. The couple had one daughter who died in infancy. As a widower, Erasmus Wilson resided with Dr. Charles M. Watson and his family at 3270 Orleans Street, located in the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Erasmus Wilson died on January 14, 1922, at Presbyterian Hospital. He is buried at Homewood Cemetery with an inscription reading, "The Quiet Observer of the Gazette Times."
Wilson was the author or co-author of the following publications:
Wilson, Erasmus, and Weston Arthur Goodspeed. Standard History of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Chicago: H.R. Cornell & Co., 1898.
Wilson, Erasmus. Quiet Observations on the Ways of the World. New York: Cassell & Co., Limited, 1886.
Branum, J M, and Erasmus Wilson. Letters of Lieut. J.M. Branum from the 98th Ohio Vol. Inf. New Castle, PA: Warnock Bros, 1897.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically by issue.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 25 issues of The Quiet Observer, edited by Erasmus Wilson. This is a pamphlet style publication that includes opinion pieces, humor, poetry, short stories, and assorted articles by Erasmus Wilson and other authors. Notable contributors to the publication include John Brashear, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Reverend E. R. Donehoo, and Opie Read.
Preferred Citation
Erasmus Wilson's "The Quiet Observer", 1900-1901, DAR.1937.43, Darlington Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.
Copyright
No copyright restrictions.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Subjects
- Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Civilization
- Little magazines
- Quiet observer