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East Wall

This room served originally as a bedroom for Charles Sr. and subsequently as a writing study for his son Charles Jr. The room remains in its incarnation as a study and reflects the interests and personality of Charles Jr. A lifelong bachelor, Charles lived intermittently at 137 Beacon Street until his death in 1954, just four days before his eightieth birthday. In his obituary he describes himself as a “poet and horticulturist who delighted in being designated as a ‘proper Bostonian.’”

Although his poetry never attained the recognition he desired, he wrote prolifically and considered himself the “chief exemplar of the ode in American letters.” He published two books, Two Gentlemen in Touraine (1899) and Among French Inns (1907), and several volumes of poetry, which he frequently submitted to newspapers and published through vanity presses. Charles also served as the chairman of the Boston Authors Club of which he was a charter member.

In addition to his interest in writing, Charles dabbled in architecture, briefly attending MIT’s new School of Architecture on Boylston Street. His interest in architecture, his desire to preserve his family legacy, and his dream of being “discovered” as a poet all motivated Charles to designate 137 Beacon Street as a Victorian house museum.