These are historical diaries and journals written by adults. They cover many different time periods, locations, and themes. You can use the navigation menu above to find diaries and journals based on other criteria.
This is the 1775-1776 journal of Captain William Humphrey, detailing the secret expedition to Quebec under the command of Colonel Benedict Arnold. The journal also captures the ensuing Battle of Quebec during which Captain Humphrey was taken prisoner. He continues his journal as a prisoner of war until he and his comrades were paroled. Table […]
This is a diary of letters written by an officer of the British Army’s Imperial Yeomanry who was stationed at Fort Wonderboom in Pretoria, South Africa in 1900 during the Second Boer War. Table of Contents Background Selected Images The Diary Comments Background The identify of the author of this diary is unknown though, as […]
This is the diary of Stephen H. Wright, a soldier in the New York 75th Infantry during the American Civil War (1861-1865) who was captured during the Second Battle of Sabine Pass on September 8, 1863.
This articles details a diary that Clara Kimball Young kept during the year 1921. Clara Kimball Young was a hugely popular American actress during the early silent film era. A 1914 poll showed that she was the most popular actress in America at the time. Clara appeared in over 150 films and was the second […]
This is the 1874 diary of Flora Emaretta Parsons, who turns 20 on July 18 during the diary year. At the beginning of the diary, she is finishing her last year of schooling. In May 1874, she begins working as a school teacher and boarding near the school, sharing with us her hopes and thoughts […]
This is the 1852 diary of Minerva Sears who was born in 1819 and was in her early thirties at the time of writing. Minerva is accompanying her husband, Captain Joshua Sears, on a voyage from Boston to the Isle de France, then to Calcutta, and back to Boston. They are on board the ship […]
These are the summer 1907 and summer 1908 diaries of Charles S. Hoff, who is out of his comfort zone in Boulder, Wyoming. He moved to Boulder from California earlier in 1907 after the death of his wife, and he asks himself at one point why he stays. We don’t know exactly why he chose […]
This is the 1892-1893 diary of Elder Fredrick Komp. He was a German immigrant, American Civil War veteran, ordained elder in the Church of God, farmer, and family man. He was an active prohibitionist and helped start the local movement. This diary provides a look at his day-to-day life as a farmer and retired, but […]
This is the diary of Henrietta St. Felix (born 1864) of the Victorian music act “The St. Felix Sisters”. The act originally consisted of four sisters: Henrietta, Clementina, Charlotte, and Leonora. Leonora passed away in 1880. The sisters’ act consisted of original song and dance sketches that were described as “refined and elegant”. Their costumes […]