10 Rare Personal Diaries of Influential Figures

Some of history’s most insightful minds have left behind rare personal diaries, offering a glimpse into their inner worlds. These diaries are not just records of daily life but serve as invaluable windows into personal thoughts, dreams, and struggles of influential figures. Each one reveals intimate details about the life, culture, and events that shaped their perspectives. Owning or reading these diaries connects us to the past in a profound way. Here’s a look at some of the most significant and rare diaries that reveal the human side of legends.

Anne Frank – The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank’s diary, written between 1942 and 1944, records her experiences while hiding from Nazi persecution in Amsterdam. Her reflections capture both her coming-of-age journey and the profound impact of war on her life. Published in 1947, it has since become one of the world’s most translated books. First editions of Het Achterhuis, as it was originally titled in Dutch, are incredibly rare and can sell for $20,000 to $30,000. The diary’s impact extends far beyond its monetary value, with original copies regarded as priceless due to their connection to one of the most poignant stories from the Holocaust.

Samuel Pepys – The Diary of Samuel Pepys

The diary of Samuel Pepys offers an extraordinary firsthand account of 17th-century London, capturing events such as the Great Plague and the Great Fire. Written in a unique shorthand, it provides rare insights into daily life and political intrigue during the Restoration period. Original manuscript pages, often held by historical institutions, are considered national treasures. However, early published editions can reach up to $200,000, as Pepys’s account is one of the most celebrated personal records of historical events in English literature.

Frida Kahlo – The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait

Frida Kahlo’s diary, kept during the last decade of her life, combines her raw emotions with colorful illustrations. It reveals her struggles with physical pain, her complex relationship with Diego Rivera, and her political beliefs. The original manuscript, preserved in Mexico, is priceless. High-quality reproductions are often sold for $3,000 to $5,000, though the value of Kahlo’s personal insights and artwork makes the original journal an irreplaceable cultural artifact. This diary provides an intensely personal view of one of the 20th century’s most iconic artists.

Leonardo da Vinci – Codex Arundel

Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Arundel is a collection of his notes, covering a vast array of topics, from mechanical inventions to the nature of water flow. Written in his famous mirror-image handwriting, it is part of a set of notebooks that demonstrate his genius and curiosity. The British Library holds the Codex Arundel, but a similar manuscript, the Codex Leicester, sold for $30.8 million to Bill Gates in 1994. If the Codex Arundel were ever to be sold, it would likely fetch a similar price, reflecting its importance to both art and science.

Henry David Thoreau – The Journal of Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau’s journal, kept over 24 years, records his observations of nature and his reflections on society, solitude, and self-reliance. These entries provided the foundation for his essays and books, including Walden. Manuscript pages and early editions are valued by collectors, with complete first editions of his journals selling for $15,000 to $25,000. Thoreau’s journal has profound historical significance as it shaped American transcendentalism, making it invaluable to literary scholars and nature enthusiasts alike.

Queen Victoria – Queen Victoria’s Journals

Queen Victoria’s journals, written from the age of 13 until her death, span over 60 years and document her thoughts on family, politics, and events across her reign. The Royal Archives preserve the original manuscripts, which are considered irreplaceable. While not available for private sale, facsimile editions allow the public to explore her candid reflections on royal life. The journals’ historic and cultural significance make them invaluable, serving as a unique record of the Victorian era through the eyes of its most iconic figure.

Sylvia Plath – The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath’s unabridged journals reveal her inner life and struggles with mental illness, which influenced her poetry and prose. Written throughout her young adulthood, they capture her thoughts on ambition, love, and despair. The journals were published posthumously, with original manuscript pages highly sought after by collectors. Early editions can fetch between $500 and $2,000, depending on condition, but original handwritten pages could reach much higher. Plath’s work provides a deeply personal look into one of the most profound voices of 20th-century literature.

Anaïs Nin – The Diary of Anaïs Nin

Anaïs Nin’s diary, one of the most extensive and introspective diaries in modern literature, spans four decades and explores her relationships with significant figures like Henry Miller. Nin’s writing delves into themes of identity, creativity, and sexuality, offering readers a candid look into her world. Signed early editions are valued at $500 to $1,500, while original manuscripts and rare volumes can sell for much more. Nin’s diary is essential for understanding the complexities of her life and the bohemian literary circles of her time.

Charles Darwin – Darwin’s Beagle Diary

Charles Darwin’s Beagle Diary records his observations during his famous voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, where he encountered diverse ecosystems that inspired his theory of evolution. Original manuscripts of Darwin’s notes are incredibly rare and preserved in museums, while published editions are valuable collectibles, sometimes selling for $5,000 to $10,000. This diary is a cornerstone of scientific history, providing insights into the journey that revolutionized our understanding of natural selection and evolution.

Nikolai Gogol – The Diary of a Madman

Although The Diary of a Madman is a fictional work, it was inspired by Nikolai Gogol’s personal experiences and struggles with mental health. The narrative, told from the perspective of a man descending into madness, reflects Gogol’s anxieties about society and identity. Original handwritten pages are nearly priceless, while early printed editions of Gogol’s works can reach $2,000 to $5,000. This short story remains a literary classic, offering insight into Gogol’s unique narrative style and the themes of isolation and obsession.

This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.

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