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I cannot imagine a more collegial, supportive group of scholars than those whose interests include Simms. I am grateful for their mentorship and assistance over the years, particularly Nick Meriwether, David Moltke-Hansen, David Newton, Matt Brennan, and Katie Burnett. Special thanks go to Todd Hagstette, who provided this project and me with more “succour” than even Simms can allude to in a single oration. I am likewise appreciative of the patience and astuteness of Alex Moore and Ehren Foley of the University of South Carolina Press.
The institutional support, resources, and staff (past and present) of the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina made this project possible, particularly Graham Duncan, Brian Cuthrell, John Heiting, and Lorrey Stewart. No library anywhere is as helpful and hospitable. The generosity of the William Gilmore Simms Initiatives and the Watson-Brown Foundation also enabled this endeavor.
The encouragement of the leadership and my colleagues at Longwood University has been instrumental, especially when tracking down fugitive Greek, Medieval, and British allusions. Thank you to Jeff Everhart for his assistance with the Spartanburg address.
My family’s confidence in this project sustained my own. Thank you to my parents, Catherine, Larissa, and Barbara for inspiring in and sharing with me a love of literature and history.