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Start Over Subject Authors, American Form Writings (documents) Year 1890 to 1894

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Clara and Rudolf Kirk collection of William Dean Howells material, 1860-1963 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.8 linear feet (7 boxes)
Abstract:
The Clara and Rudolf Kirk collection of William Dean Howells material consists of literary and visual materials by or about William Dean Howells, an American author, playwright, and literary critic. It was compiled by Clara and Rudolf Kirk, who were scholars studying Howells, circa 1940-1963. The collection includes essays and reviews written by or about Howells, correspondence and newspaper clippings by or regarding Howells, six scrapbooks about Howells' life and career, and other miscellaneous materials.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Francis Howard Williams papers, 1880-1909 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.2 linear_foot (1 box and 1 oversized folder)
Abstract:
Francis Howard Williams (1844-1922) was a Philadelphia literary critic and author whose works were featured in publications such as The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Weekly, Lippincott's Magazine, and The Independent. He was the known friend of several literary greats including Walt Whitman, Louisa May Alcott, and George W. Cable and was part of a large circle of contemporary poets, writers, editors, and publishers of the time period. The collection includes letters to Williams, writings, and ephemera.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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John B. McMaster papers, 1869-1950 (inclusive) 1880-1932 (bulk)

Extent:
16.5 linear feet (40 boxes)
Abstract:
John Bach McMaster (1852-1932) was an American writer and professor best known for his landmark history of the United States, A History of the People of the United States, which appeared in eight volumes from 1883 to 1913. McMaster's historical technique was notable in its use of newspaper material and his insistence on providing social context from all classes, not simply the political leaders of the time. This collection contains correspondence, writings by McMaster, material used by McMaster in his research, and personal material, such as newspaper clippings of his life and work, testimonials by colleagues, and memorabilia.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Van Wyck Brooks papers, 1872-1983 (inclusive) 1900-1963 (bulk)

Extent:
142 boxes
Abstract:
Collection contains 54 boxes of professional and family correspondence; 68 boxes of writings by Brooks, including typescripts, galleys, and notes for books, articles, prefaces, and addresses, as well as juvenalia, diaries, and notebooks; and 20 boxes of memorabilia, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Theodore Dreiser papers, circa 1890-1965 (bulk dates 1897-1955) (inclusive) 1897-1955 (bulk)

Extent:
244 linear feet (503 boxes)
Abstract:
Contains 22 series, including correspondence (118 boxes); legal matters (7 boxes); writings (260 boxes), comprising books, essays, short stories, poems, plays, screenplays, radio scripts, addresses, lectures, interviews, introductions, and prefaces; journals edited by Dreiser (6 boxes); notes (9 boxes); diaries (5 boxes); biographical material (1 box); memorabilia (41 boxes), comprising scrapbooks, photographs (many of which are available online), art work, promotional material, postcards, and miscellanea; financial records (5 boxes); clippings (23 boxes); works by others (12 boxes); and oversize materials (2 boxes). Also includes materials regarding various family members: brother Paul Dresser (8 boxes of correspondence, sheet music and lyric sheets, clippings and memorabilia, and two plays written by Dresser); second wife Helen Dreiser (4 boxes of diaries and other writings); and niece Vera Dreiser (2 boxes of correspondence).

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Henry Charles Lea papers, circa 1830-1935 (inclusive)

Extent:
203 boxes
Abstract:
Henry Charles Lea, a historian of medieval Europe, wrote extensively on the institutional and legal history of the Catholic Church. The Papers comprise: General Correspondence; Henry Charles Lea Library Correspondence; Henry Charles Lea Library History, Inventories, and Catalogues; Historical Writings: Books; Historical Writings: Articles and Miscellaneous; Reviews; Political Writings; Newspaper Clippings; Writings: Poetry and Translations; Scientific Work; Juvenilia; Memorabilia and Family Papers; and Oversize.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Frederic Mayer Bird papers, 1859-1908 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.4 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:
Frederic Mayer Bird (son of the author Robert Montgomery Bird) was a Lutheran minister, later Episcopalian priest, and professor at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He wrote and published extensively on sacred topics, most notably on hymns and hymnology, and also wrote novels and other secular texts. He contributed to many periodicals and served as editor for Lippincott's Magazine, a Philadelphia-based literary magazine. These papers represent a range of Bird's drafts in manuscript and proof form, supplemented by a modest amount of correspondence. Best represented are his sermons and his contributions to Lippincott's Magazine.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Burton Rascoe papers, 1890-1957 (inclusive) 1920-1957 (bulk)

Extent:
20 linear feet (27 boxes)
Abstract:
Burton Rascoe (1892-1957) was an American literary critic, journalist, editor, and author working in the first half of the 20th century. His confrontational style stirred up much debate and helped generate interest in up-and-coming writers that Rascoe believed showed promise; most notably, Rascoe was an early champion of writers such as James Branch Cabell, Theodore Dreiser, and H. L. Mencken. The collection consists of his correspondence, including some with famous literary figures; writings by Rascoe in draft and published form; papers relating to a lawsuit with Max Annenberg; diaries and notebooks; photographs; and clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Sophia Wittenberg Mumford papers, 1875-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.22 linear feet (48 boxes, 1 oversized folder)
Abstract:
The Sophia Wittenberg Mumford papers contain, correspondence, writings, diaries, photographs, memorabilia, audio-visual material, financial and legal material documenting the private and public life of Sophia and her husband, author Lewis Mumford. A large majority of this collection is remnants of Lewis Mumford's papers that remained in their house upon his death in 1990 and were finally transferred to the University of Pennsylvania after her death in 1997.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Robert Montgomery Bird papers, 1799-1946 (inclusive) 1822-1854 (bulk)

Extent:
31 boxes
Abstract:
Comprises personal, business, literary, and family papers. In addition to Bird's own papers, this collection includes papers of his wife Mary E. Bird, his son Frederic Mayer Bird, and his biographer Clement Edgar Foust. The earliest papers (1822) date from Bird's school days at Germantown Academy, and the very latest papers (1946) relate to C. Seymour Thompson's publication of Mary E. Bird's biography of her husband. Correspondents include men and women from Bird's career in medicine; his literary career; his theatrical career (including correspondence with Edwin Forrest, as well as the documentation regarding their legal battle over copyrights and profits); his political career; and his career in publishing and journalism.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]