The “Whitelands Index”: The Making of John Pincher Faunthorpe’s <i>Index to Fors Clavigera</i>

This paper argues the hidden context of “Whitelands Index,” Index to Fors Clavigera (1887), edited by Rev. J.P. Faunthorpe. My research has heavily drawn on the “Mikimoto Collection”, which is composed of the documents written by Ruskin himself and those around him. Some of these materials support my hypothesis that Ruskin and Faunthorpe did not share the concept of index-making from the very beginning, as Ruskin put emphasis on providing a “Guide”. In addition, letters and notes addressed to Faunthorpe disclose the fact that he did not necessarily try to accomplish his project only by his own hands but asked Ruskin for help and advice concerning its arrangement. He did not follow Ruskin’s concept, being passionate about establishing his own style, or the “Whitelands’ style”.