When Linda Grace Hoyer wasn’t busy writing her short stories and other works of fiction, she was often busy writing letters to her family and friends. Much of this correspondence was between mother and son – writing which began in earnest when John Updike left the farm house in Plowville, Pennsylvania to study at Harvard in the fall of 1950. This collection will contain digitized letters and postcards spanning nearly forty years. Portions of the collection will be added to the repository as time and resources permit.
Permissions to use these images for anything other than educational use should be directed to the Special Collections Department of the Myrin Library at Ursinus College.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 30, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son John Updike, she provides guidance for John's time at Harvard - including his roommate, Christopher Lasch, his choice of courses, and his intended concentration of study. Linda also gives John updates about life at home in Plowville.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 28, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter, Linda Grace Hoyer describes concerns she has for John Updike during his time at Harvard University. Linda addresses thoughts about dating and John's work, comparing the environment at Harvard to her own experience at Cornell University.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 27, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son John Updike, Linda inquires about John's classmates at Harvard University while providing study tips to her son. Linda encourages John to enjoy his time as a student, and also gives him updates about the family dogs and life at home.
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Undated Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter, Linda Grace Hoyer updates her son, John Updike, about life at home - including the family dogs, the weather, and people who have asked about him. Linda informs John that both a blanket and a subscription to The New Yorker magazine will be delivered to him at Harvard University.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 24, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son John Updike, Linda encourages John to see a doctor at Harvard Medical School about his allergies. Linda also tells John about their visit with Don and Mary Updike in Greenwich, Connecticut.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 23, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this hand written letter Linda Grace Hoyer updates her son John Updike about the last day of their travels in New England before they return home to Plowville, Pennsylvania. Linda updates John about the restaurants they ate at, television, football and church. Linda questions how she will carry on with John now at college, but she knows this is something he must do.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 22, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this hand written letter, Linda Grace Hoyer tells her son, John Updike, about traveling in New England, and experiences while staying with Don and Mary Updike in Greenwich, Connecticut. Linda speaks at length about the Glass Flowers exhibit at Harvard University, and tells John to visit when life gets dull.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, September 21, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this hand written letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda gives John advice about life at Harvard University, urging him to ask questions and seek help from his advisor. Linda mentions Robert Benchley, who wrote for The Harvard Lampoon during his time at the University.
