Subject: Biography - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 5.6 linear feet (7 boxes)
Abstract:: Catherine Drinker Bowen (1897-1973) was an American writer best known for her popular (and occasionally controversial) biographies of prominent American and English historical figures. Her books were great successes in the popular market, but sometimes received criticism from academics for their occasional re-imagining of historical occurrences. This collection includes 5 boxes of material related to her 1950 biography of John Adams, John Adams and the American Revolution. It includes two full drafts of the book, organized by chapter, with each chapter containing various revisions. It also includes various versions of the book's prologue, source notes, and bibliography, as well as notes and corrections, along with a statement by Drinker Bowen explaining her biographical methods.

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

Extent:: .2 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:: The Thomas Ridgway 18th century Philadelphia theater material dates primarily to the 1940s, and mostly contains Ridgway's writings related to 18th century Philadelphia theater and his accompanying research and notes. Thomas Ridgway (1874-1943) was a lawyer from Philadelphia who researched and wrote extensively on Philadelphia theater.

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

Extent:: 1.75 linear feet
Abstract:: A friend of the Wharton Esherick family, Susan R. Hinkel began writing a biography about Wharton Esherick, the influential sculptor and craftsman, although she never finished the book. The Susan Hinkel research files on Wharton Esherick, 1989-2000, consist of materials that Hinkel compiled by while preparing the unfinished biography. The files are organized by subject and include chapter drafts, research-related correspondence, clippings and ephemera, and various other secondary-source materials. Of special interest are transcripts of oral histories that Hinkel conducted for the book, in particular interviews with Ruth Esherick and Mansfield "Bob" Bascom.

Held at: Wharton Esherick Museum [Contact Us]

Extent:: 7.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Alice Ford was a prominent scholar and biographer of John James Audubon and Edward Hicks. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. The Alice Ford papers on John James Audubon, 1951-1995, are primarily composed of Alice Ford's research on John James Audubon, including copies of primary materials, drafts of Ford's writings, and correspondence with publishers. There is a small amount of Ford's personal papers not relating to Audubon.

Held at: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:: Lee Eisenberg (born 1946), an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, is an American writer and editor known for his time working for Esquire. Eisenberg was the senior editor and vice president of Esquire throughout the 1970s and 1980s and played a major role in the production of the 1984 50th Anniversary Edition of the magazine. This collection includes correspondence with almost half of the fifty famous people asked to write essays for the 50th anniversary issue as well as assorted notes, clippings, and article manuscripts, most of which relate to their contributions.

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

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