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Precious and Adored: The Love Letters of Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple, 1890–1918
"You are mine, and I am yours, and we are one, and our lives are one henceforth, please God, who can alone separate us. I am bold to say this, to pray and to live by it."—Rose Cleveland to Evangeline Simpson, May 6, 1890
In 1890, Rose Cleveland, sister of President Grover Cleveland, began writing to Evangeline Simpson, a wealthy widow who would become the second wife of Henry Whipple, Minnesota's Episcopal bishop. The women corresponded across states and continents, discussing their advocacy and humanitarian work—and demonstrating their sexual attraction, romance, and partnership. In 1910, after Evangeline Whipple was again widowed, the two women sailed to Italy and began a life together.
The letters, most written in Cleveland's dramatic, quirky style, guide readers through new love, heartbreak, and the rekindling of a committed relationship. Additional correspondence by the women's friends and relatives supplies valuable perspectives. An introduction and annotations by editors Lizzie Ehrenhalt and Tilly Laskey provide the context for same-sex relationships at the time, discuss the women's social and political circles, and explain references to friends, family, and historical events.
After Rose Cleveland's death, Evangeline Whipple described her as "my precious and adored life-long friend." This collection, rare in its portrayal of LGBTQ nineteenth-century history, brings their poignant story back to life.
In 1890, Rose Cleveland, sister of President Grover Cleveland, began writing to Evangeline Simpson, a wealthy widow who would become the second wife of Henry Whipple, Minnesota's Episcopal bishop. The women corresponded across states and continents, discussing their advocacy and humanitarian work—and demonstrating their sexual attraction, romance, and partnership. In 1910, after Evangeline Whipple was again widowed, the two women sailed to Italy and began a life together.
The letters, most written in Cleveland's dramatic, quirky style, guide readers through new love, heartbreak, and the rekindling of a committed relationship. Additional correspondence by the women's friends and relatives supplies valuable perspectives. An introduction and annotations by editors Lizzie Ehrenhalt and Tilly Laskey provide the context for same-sex relationships at the time, discuss the women's social and political circles, and explain references to friends, family, and historical events.
After Rose Cleveland's death, Evangeline Whipple described her as "my precious and adored life-long friend." This collection, rare in its portrayal of LGBTQ nineteenth-century history, brings their poignant story back to life.
240 pages, ebook
Published May 1, 2019
36 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2019
While letters aren't always my favorite things to read (some can be a little dull), this book was such a great reminder that there is a ton of queer history out there- some unfortunately that's been kept under wraps for years. I work for the Minnesota Historical Society and got to hear Lizzie Ehrenhalt present a few times, and it was really interesting to hear about how MNHS chose to handle these letters in the 1960s versus today. Ehrenhalt discussed the ethics behind archival work and making pieces accessible to researchers, no matter the subject matter. It's heartening to know that we've made steps forward, though there is still a long way to go. I'd like to read more about the LGBTQ community in Minnesota history, so I'll be on the hunt for more books :) The most interesting thing that I learned from this book is thinking about how we can't attach modern identities/orientations to Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Whipple, such as lesbian or bisexual.
January 4, 2020
Really a 3.5, probably. I am a sucker for historical letters between women, and these are a find! Between Rose Cleveland (the sister of President Grover Cleveland who acted as his first lady until he married his VERY young charge, Frances, when she turned 21. Hmm, that is a book I would NOT want to read) and her dear friend and lover, a rich widow named Evangeline. Already worth a read - but then add the version of candor they could share in the time they loved (1890's to 1918!), and this is practically the literary version of a Lifetime movie for lesbian aristocrats. Yes, please! The literary flourishes they use, the language of their shared passion, the ways they talk about their friends, their homes, and eventually their plans for a life together; all swoon worthy.
As the WP review says, "Rose and Evangeline’s relationship was undoubtedly sexual, in addition to loving and intimate, Ehrenhalt said. One letter describes “long rapturous embraces” that “carry us both in one to the summit of joy, the end of search, the goal of love!” and "Rose and Evangeline would beg each other for extended visits to the other’s estate. They gave each other pet names — “Clevy” and “Wingie,” and the somewhat awkward “Granny” and “Granchile,” which seems to have been an inside joke about their 10-year age difference. (Rose, the older one, called herself “Granchile,” and Evangeline, the younger one, “Granny.”)"
And, this one! "My Eve! Ah, how I love you! It paralyzes me ... Oh Eve, Eve, surely you cannot realize what you are to me. What you must be. Yes, I dare it, now, I will not longer fear to claim you. You are mine by every sign in Earth & Heaven, by every sign in soul & spirit & body — and you cannot escape me. You must bear me all the way, Eve ...”
A little later that year, she even goes so far as to boldly write, “You are mine, and I am yours, and we are one, and our lives are one henceforth, please God, who can alone separate us. I am bold to say this, to pray & to live to it. Am I too bold, Eve — tell me? ... I shall go to bed, Eve — with your letters under my pillow.”
The letters are mostly from Rose to Evangeline, and came to light when a member of the Whipple family (Evangeline married her 2nd husband, Henry Whipple, a Bishop no less, in the middle of the relationship, breaking Rose's heart briefly before they reunited romantically after he died) donated a collection of family papers (probably without realizing what it contained) and the Historical Society of Minnesota that received the donation embargoed the letters until 1978. This is the first time they have been published and I am DELIGHTED.
The WP article/review is a great and interesting overview of their relationship and totally worth a read. https://www.washingtonpost.com/histor...
Book 4 of 2020
As the WP review says, "Rose and Evangeline’s relationship was undoubtedly sexual, in addition to loving and intimate, Ehrenhalt said. One letter describes “long rapturous embraces” that “carry us both in one to the summit of joy, the end of search, the goal of love!” and "Rose and Evangeline would beg each other for extended visits to the other’s estate. They gave each other pet names — “Clevy” and “Wingie,” and the somewhat awkward “Granny” and “Granchile,” which seems to have been an inside joke about their 10-year age difference. (Rose, the older one, called herself “Granchile,” and Evangeline, the younger one, “Granny.”)"
And, this one! "My Eve! Ah, how I love you! It paralyzes me ... Oh Eve, Eve, surely you cannot realize what you are to me. What you must be. Yes, I dare it, now, I will not longer fear to claim you. You are mine by every sign in Earth & Heaven, by every sign in soul & spirit & body — and you cannot escape me. You must bear me all the way, Eve ...”
A little later that year, she even goes so far as to boldly write, “You are mine, and I am yours, and we are one, and our lives are one henceforth, please God, who can alone separate us. I am bold to say this, to pray & to live to it. Am I too bold, Eve — tell me? ... I shall go to bed, Eve — with your letters under my pillow.”
The letters are mostly from Rose to Evangeline, and came to light when a member of the Whipple family (Evangeline married her 2nd husband, Henry Whipple, a Bishop no less, in the middle of the relationship, breaking Rose's heart briefly before they reunited romantically after he died) donated a collection of family papers (probably without realizing what it contained) and the Historical Society of Minnesota that received the donation embargoed the letters until 1978. This is the first time they have been published and I am DELIGHTED.
The WP article/review is a great and interesting overview of their relationship and totally worth a read. https://www.washingtonpost.com/histor...
Book 4 of 2020
December 30, 2025
This book was great! I read it “for work” and really enjoyed it. It made me tear up, giggle, question, admire, think, wonder and all the things a good historical book should. I love the queer representation and women empowerment throughout Rose’s letters. I will say I would actually probably rate it 4.5 stars only because it really is mostly Rose Cleveland letters as opposed to letters between her AND Evangeline Whipple. Part of me wonders why that is and where the letters Evangeline sent to Rose are? Ugh I just love history and women and when women love women in history. Yay good book to end the year on!
August 19, 2024
The letters and analysis were interesting. Sometimes the letters appear very desperate but we don’t have the replies to know how they were being received.
March 10, 2025
Frustrating but interesting | The footnotes are super intrusive and mostly unnecessary. Some of them explain things that are obvious from context, and some say things like 'unknown exactly who Cleveland refers to'...well, then, why bother with the footnote?! And honestly, I just didn't care about the full history of every socialite who got a one-sentence mention in a single letter, nor did I need towns and rivers explained to me. It was so difficult to stay in the reading experience, since every page has two or three footnotes at the least.
I so wish Whipple's letters had been preserved. Aside from a handful of letters from mutual friends to Whipple which discussed Cleveland, this is just Rose's letters to Evangeline and her mother. It's easy to form inaccurate conclusions when you see only one side. It feels like Whipple supported the Bishop's ideals and work, knew what a personal alliance with him could bring in the way of companionship, security, societal approval, and, yes, financial support, and matter-of-factly chose to marry him. It feels like she and Cleveland discussed this in person after the fact, and both knew that it was a temporary state of affairs, so Cleveland took herself abroad, notably mostly to places that were familiar to Whipple, to wait it out. But it feels that way because we only have Cleveland's response to the changing events; her references to their "separate disciplines and developments", her comments that there's "time enough for" them to see each other in the future and that as never before they can afford to be sure of each others' fidelity, all indicate a private understanding between the women about their eventual future. Without reading Whipple's side, though, who knows?
All that said, it was lovely and warming and uplifting to read, and I am glad to know they had each other for so long, both when they were together and from afar.
Actually the paperback, but it's not on Goodreads and the librarians are overloaded.
I so wish Whipple's letters had been preserved. Aside from a handful of letters from mutual friends to Whipple which discussed Cleveland, this is just Rose's letters to Evangeline and her mother. It's easy to form inaccurate conclusions when you see only one side. It feels like Whipple supported the Bishop's ideals and work, knew what a personal alliance with him could bring in the way of companionship, security, societal approval, and, yes, financial support, and matter-of-factly chose to marry him. It feels like she and Cleveland discussed this in person after the fact, and both knew that it was a temporary state of affairs, so Cleveland took herself abroad, notably mostly to places that were familiar to Whipple, to wait it out. But it feels that way because we only have Cleveland's response to the changing events; her references to their "separate disciplines and developments", her comments that there's "time enough for" them to see each other in the future and that as never before they can afford to be sure of each others' fidelity, all indicate a private understanding between the women about their eventual future. Without reading Whipple's side, though, who knows?
All that said, it was lovely and warming and uplifting to read, and I am glad to know they had each other for so long, both when they were together and from afar.
Actually the paperback, but it's not on Goodreads and the librarians are overloaded.
September 12, 2024
This really should be titled The Love Letters of Rose Cleveland TO Evangeline... since we only get one side of the correspondence.
February 18, 2020
This was an interesting read and I really like how the book was put together. The first 50 pages or so are a biography of Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple, along with a brief history of their relationship. Then it is just letters. This book seems well researched and a lot of good work was put into transcribing the letters. It was also just interesting to see how people used to communicate, and how much love letters, or any letters, were cherished.
April 1, 2022
A very interesting story. Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Whipple met in 1889 in Florida, corresponded, visited, and in 1910 Cleveland grew up in upstate NY, went to school in Clinton, NY, and her childhood home was near Utica, NY. Her brother was Grover Cleveland. He was single when sworn in as president, and Rose accompanied him to the White House, serving as the official White House hostess. In 1888 Rose earned $300,000 in today's money, for 10 months of speaking/lecturing on history at Ms. Reed's School in NYC (17). Cleveland later became an accomplished businesswoman- real estate, citrus groves, and writing. Whipple had married a much older rich man when in her 20's and he died a few years later, so she had lots of financial resources. In 1910 the two women finally lived together--in Italy, in Tuscany. Whipple was 54 and Cleveland 64. They even started a hospital in their little town their to help with the Spanish Flu. Cleveland died in 1918 due to the Spanish Flu. Whipple died in 1930; both are buried in Italy. I read the preface, which outlines their story, and would suggest it for a women's studies class.
June 17, 2021
Precious and Adored was a wonderfully educational book. Through Ehrenhalt and Laskey’s introduction and Rose’s own words, readers can clearly comprehend the passion, strength, and candor of WLW relationships in 19th century America. Before reading, I held the misconception that WLW relationships were corrupted by homophobia, both internal and external. Now I can see that due to the closeness of friendships and encouragement of femininity, these relationships felt like a natural progression and were perceived as such. This accepted intimacy implies that sexuality norms in America were much more fluid than many believe, despite remaining private. The pacing was occasionally a bit slow, but everything considered I would absolutely recommend Precious and Adored to anybody willing to put in the time to learn more about LGBTQ history.
August 5, 2023
"But I am too stupid to write, and so I must stop"
"I love you enough for anything, and in time I shall fulfill all your wishes. Even to believe in your love for me, perhaps. I know you suffer- but because you are so sorry does not make it love. But we must do the best we can."- pg 116
"Well, I don't know what's to become of all this trash I'm writing you, but I don't seem to be able to settle down to my letters until I have written first a little to you."- pg 78
"When the ones written Friday was written you still had no word from me and my first reached you only on Saturday which makes me want to KILL somebody"- pg 68
I, like the author, wonder as to whether Rose was controlling of Evelyn, or merely singularly devoted. I suppose we'll never know. But nonetheless, a fascinating dive into queer history.
"I love you enough for anything, and in time I shall fulfill all your wishes. Even to believe in your love for me, perhaps. I know you suffer- but because you are so sorry does not make it love. But we must do the best we can."- pg 116
"Well, I don't know what's to become of all this trash I'm writing you, but I don't seem to be able to settle down to my letters until I have written first a little to you."- pg 78
"When the ones written Friday was written you still had no word from me and my first reached you only on Saturday which makes me want to KILL somebody"- pg 68
I, like the author, wonder as to whether Rose was controlling of Evelyn, or merely singularly devoted. I suppose we'll never know. But nonetheless, a fascinating dive into queer history.
July 19, 2019
Since my colleague Tilly edited this lovely book, I had to buy it! I did enjoy reading it, as it brought me into a world that is quite an interesting era, around the turn of the century and into the first world war, and in geographic diversity of the American Midwest, south, northeast, and into Italy. Quite a love story all around, with interesting characters. The footnotes were a bit distracting, but most welcome, as was the introduction and foreword to put this book into context. Well done!
June 4, 2024
Beautiful and touching. The true love that was expressed in these letters, the anguish and pain of the time that forbade them to truly live their lives together. I was transported. It reaffirms that there is true love despite all odds.
July 14, 2019
Perfect mix of historical context and personal stories.
June 15, 2020
The background information was interesting. Reading the letters grew tiresome in a short time. Blah, blah, blah. . . .
January 5, 2026
Rating for the story of the compilers and the women involved rather than the letters. Letters are hard to read and boring unless you’re really into the authors. This is a fascinating story and relationship, though I would have preferred a long form article instead.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews