"The Sicilian Vespers", undated

Papers consist of memoirs, lectures, essays, correspondence, and other assorted writings of Frederick A. Porcher, Professor of Belles Lettres and History at the College of Charleston from 1848 to 1886. Memoirs concern Porcher's life and career, including his childhood on Cedar Springs Plantation, his education at Yale, his life in politics, his travels abroad, and teaching at the College of Charleston. There are also personal reminiscences on South Carolina history and politics and the "upper division of St. John's Berkeley Parish." Lectures and essays cover a wide variety of topics but are mainly concerned with English and American literature, the English language, and European and American history. Also included is a framed portrait miniature of Porcher painted on ivory by his daughter Clelia Lightwood Porcher (1847-1924), Porcher's calling card with two copper printing plates, a eulogy for Daniel Ravenel, and an 1836 map of Europe.