Grenville Howland Norcross (1854-1937), one of eight children of Otis Norcross (1811-1882) and Lucy Ann (Lane) Norcross (1816-1916), was born on 2 February 1854 in Boston, Mass. After graduating from Harvard University in 1875, Grenville acquired his Harvard law degree in 1879 and practiced law in Boston for many years. He was active in numerous historical and literary organizations, including the New England Historic and Genealogical Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the American Antiquarian Society, the Bostonian Society (serving as its president, 1911-1932), the Club of Odd Volumes, St. Botolph Club, and the Harvard Club. Grenville died, unmarried, on 12 February 1937 in Boston.
The earlier diaries, for the period 1861 to 1876, contain entries detailing Norcross' daily childhood and adolescent activities. Included are accounts of his grammar school and Harvard experiences and theater performances attended (with several programs attached), a few pencil sketches, records of his expenditures, the curiosity items which he collected and the number of books he read during the year.
View each diary:
February 2, 1861-January 6, 1862 (transcription available)
January 1862-July 29, 1863 (transcription available)
July 30, 1863 - September 1, 1864
September 2, 1864 - May 6, 1865
June 1, 1866 - December 31, 1866
January 1, 1867 - December 31, 1868
January 1, 1869 - October 31, 1870
November 1, 1870 - August 31, 1873
September 1, 1873 - November 10, 1875