Publisher Donates To Houghton Library

Officials at the Houghton Mifflin Company announced yesterday that it is donating $2.5 million worth of original manuscripts, correspondence and business records to Houghton Library.

The gift marks the 50th anniversary of Houghton Library, which houses the nation's oldest collection of original papers by American authors, and continues a longstanding relationship between the Boston publishing firm and the library.

The new donation features contracts between the publisher and several of its most famous clients, including Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry James.

"There is a great deal of value to be gained by scholars [who study the collection]," said Charles A. Butts, the company's vice president of external affairs.

An exhibition highlighting some of the gifts is opening today at the library.