Diaries by Adults

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.

Second Boer War Diary by an Officer of the Imperial Yeomanry

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 of a Union POW after the Battle of Sabine Pass II

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 battle was part of a failed attempt by the Union Army to invade […]

The Diary of Silent Film Actress Clara Kimball Young

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 […]

1874 Diary of a Young School Teacher in Liberty, NY

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 […]

Diary of an 1852 Voyage from India to Boston

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 […]

1892-1893 Diary of an Indiana Preacher, Farmer, and Civil Veteran

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 […]

The Diary of Hen: A Victorian Singer’s 1887 European Tour

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 […]