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As the home for Jane Austen in North America, Goucher College welcomes all interested readers and fans to make discoveries about her life and authorship, the publication and reception of her novels, and her global legacy.
Alberta Burke
1933
The Jane Austen Collection at Goucher College collection began with the bequest of Alberta Hirshheimer Burke, a 1928 graduate of the college. Burke began buying rare Austen editions and manuscripts in the 1930s after a trip to England. Quickly becoming adept at the book trade, Burke began following the market on Jane Austen materials. Over time she built a distinguished private collection of Austen books and manuscripts. Upon Burke’s death in 1975 and in accordance with her will, her collection was divided between Goucher College and the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. Goucher College received more than a thousand early editions and books as well as personal correspondence.
The Jane Austen Collection at Goucher College began with the bequest of Alberta Hirschheimer Burke, a 1928 graduate of the college. Burke began buying rare Austen editions and manuscripts in the 1930s after a trip to England. Quickly becoming adept at the book trade, Burke began following the market on Jane Austen materials. Over time she built a distinguished private collection of Austen books and manuscripts. Upon Burke’s death in 1975 and in accordance with her will, her collection was divided between Goucher College and the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. Goucher College received more than a thousand early editions and books as well as personal correspondence.
Among the correspondence bequeathed to Goucher by Alberta Burke are letters from book dealers and scholars, as well as invoices and receipts for her acquisitions. She did not usually keep copies or drafts of her own letters.
Among the correspondence bequeathed to Goucher by Alberta Burke are letters from book dealers and scholars, as well as invoices and receipts for her acquisitions. She did not usually keep copies or drafts of her own letters.
