Primary sourceBook1864
Alice's Adventures Under Ground
Lewis Carroll · 1864
The handwritten, self-illustrated manuscript Carroll gave to Alice Liddell, the earlier version of his famous novel.
Carroll's own handwritten gift to Alice Liddell, the earliest surviving form of his most famous story.
About this source
What it is
This is Lewis Carroll's handwritten manuscript, illustrated by himself, written out for Alice Liddell and given to her as a Christmas gift in 1864. It is held today by the British Library.
Why it matters
The manuscript shows how the printed Alice's Adventures in Wonderland grew from an oral story told to a real child into a polished book nearly twice its length. It reveals Carroll's personal attachment to Alice Liddell and his own skill as an amateur artist before a professional illustrator was hired.
Look closer
- What does it mean that Carroll illustrated this version himself, before Tenniel was brought in?
- Why might Carroll have chosen to give this manuscript as a personal gift rather than simply publish it?
- How might the story have changed between this handwritten version and the published book?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Lewis Carroll on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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