Indiana University students made hearts flutter Thursday as they read historic love letters from the Lilly Library’s collection.
Some of the letters date back centuries and are the work of famous writers like Edgar Allen Poe and John Keats.
Second Year MFA Student Jay Hemphill, read a letter written by Fredrick Pimper, a private in the Civil War, to his love back home, written in 1863.
This passage is one the soldier said he “accidently came across”, but that it “still speaks his sentiments.”
"To the one I love so dearly I love but thee, and when all ties are broken beneath when wrestling with the conqueror death, still as I gasp my latest breath I love but thee Sallie."
The original copies of the love letters actors read from were also on display for attendees to see. The reading event is meant to celebrate the holiday and remind folks of the extensive and diverse collection of books, letters and artifacts at the Lilly Library.
