How did Mabel Loomis Todd become involved in publishing Emily Dickinson’s poems?

Mabel Loomis Todd became involved in publishing Emily Dickinson’s poetry after the poet’s sister, Lavinia, discovered hundreds of manuscripts following Dickinson's death in 1886.12

Initially, Lavinia asked Susan Gilbert Dickinson to prepare the poems for publication, but when Susan failed to advance the project, Lavinia turned to Todd, a local family friend who had been deeply impressed by the poet's work. Todd energetically transcribed and selected the poems, eventually enlisting the help of Thomas Wentworth Higginson to edit them.12

Together, Todd and Higginson prepared the first volumes of Poems by Emily Dickinson, which were published starting in 1890. Their editorial process involved regularizing the poet's grammar, meter, and rhyme, as well as inventing titles for the works. This collaboration was complicated by a personal conflict: Todd was involved in an affair with Susan’s husband, Austin, which created a lasting enmity between the families that influenced the preservation and scholarly interpretation of Dickinson’s manuscripts for decades.12