Howard Baetzhold wrote a piece connecting Laura Wright with Twain's essay 
(My Platonic Sweetheart) in American Literature 44 (Nov 1972). Somebody else 
suggested Susy Clemens as a "platonic sweetheart" in the MTJ (Winter 
1981-82). Before his Smithsonian piece, Ron Powers included a good account 
of Laura Wright in his 2005 Twain biography.  More recently Alicia Tromp has 
rejected those flesh & blood models for Twain's essay in her article in 
American Literary Realism (Platonic Parody) 46:1 (Fall, 2013).

I'll have more to say about Twain's various "sweethearts" when I reveal a 
previously unknown one later this year.

Kevin
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Holmes" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 2:48 AM
Subject: Laura Wright


> http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/mark-twain-in-love-14530235/?all
>
> I just came across this article and thought I'd mention it to the list.
> This is the first I've heard of Laura Wright nor have I seen "My
> Platonic Sweetheart".  Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about
> this piece in the Smithsonian.
>
>
>
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