Family Correspondence, 1838-1980

This subseries consists primarily of Bruce and Keyser family correspondence. A large portion of the correspondence, and of particular interest, consists of letters James Bruce wrote to his mother, Louise Este (Fisher) Bruce. James Bruce wrote to his mother almost daily while an undergraduate at Princeton University, detailing his and his classmates' activities. He continued to write regularly to her during his World War I and Montenegrin service.

Correspondence between James Bruce and Ellen Keyser Bruce prior to their 1919 marriage, in which Bruce relates his military and diplomatic service, and Ellen describes life at home in Baltimore and its environs, is a rich source on military and social life of the time. Also of interest is correspondence between James Bruce and his father, as well as the father and son's correspondence with James Bruce's uncle, noted author and Ambassador to Italy Thomas Nelson Page. Arrangement is alphabetical by correspondent and chronological therein.