how to cite a letter in chicago

Daniel Parker

2 min read

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18-01-2025

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Citing personal letters in Chicago style depends heavily on whether the letter is a primary source you consulted directly or a secondary source quoted from another work. Let's break down how to cite each:

Citing a Personal Letter as a Primary Source (Chicago 17th Edition)

If you're directly using a letter you or someone else possesses, treat it as a primary source. This means you'll cite it differently depending on whether you're using footnotes/endnotes or a bibliography.

Footnotes/Endnotes:

The basic format is:

[Author's last name], "[Letter title or brief description]," letter to [recipient's name], [date], [location of original, if applicable].

Example:

1. John Smith, “Letter discussing the harvest,” letter to Mary Jones, October 26, 1888, Smith Family Papers, Box 3, Folder 7, University of California, Berkeley Archives.

• Author's Last Name: The writer of the letter.
• "Letter Title or Description": A brief, descriptive title in quotation marks. If the letter doesn't have a title, create a concise one summarizing the content.
• Letter to [Recipient's Name]: Specify who the letter was written to.
• [Date]: The date the letter was written.
• [Location of Original, if applicable]: Crucial for archival letters. Include the archive's name and relevant location details (box, folder, etc.). This helps others locate the original document.

Bibliography:

For your bibliography, the basic structure is similar, but slightly rearranged:

[Author's Last Name], [Author's First Name]. "[Letter title or brief description]." Letter to [recipient's name], [date]. [Location of original, if applicable].

Example:

Smith, John. “Letter discussing the harvest.” Letter to Mary Jones, October 26, 1888. Smith Family Papers, Box 3, Folder 7, University of California, Berkeley Archives.

Note the differences in punctuation and capitalization.

Citing a Letter Mentioned in Another Source (Chicago 17th Edition)

If you're citing a letter mentioned within a book, article, or other secondary source, you cite the secondary source where you found the information about the letter.

Footnotes/Endnotes:

[Author of secondary source's last name], Title of secondary source, [page number].

Example:

1. Jones, The History of Early Farming, 145.

Bibliography:

[Author of secondary source's last name], [Author of secondary source's first name]. Title of secondary source. [Place of publication]: [Publisher], [Year of publication].

Example:

Jones, Mary. The History of Early Farming. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.

Handling Different Letter Types

The above examples cover typical personal letters. Adaptations might be necessary for:

• Letters in published collections: If the letter is part of a published collection, cite the collection as a whole. Include the letter's title and page numbers within the collection.
• Emails: Cite emails similarly to personal letters, but replace "letter" with "email" and include the email addresses (optional but helpful for verification) if appropriate.
• Digital Letters: If the letter is available online, include a URL in your citation.

Key Considerations

• Accuracy: Always double-check dates, names, and locations for accuracy.
• Consistency: Maintain consistent citation style throughout your entire work.
• Clarity: Prioritize clear and concise citations.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately and consistently cite letters in your Chicago-style papers. Remember to always consult the most up-to-date edition of the Chicago Manual of Style for the most precise and comprehensive guidance.