Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1082

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

2.5 linear feet (4 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Gilbert Seldes Papers, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.

Date:

1920-1957 (inclusive)

Creator:

Seldes, Gilbert

Form:

Writings (documents), Drafts (documents), Correspondence, and Clippings (information artifacts)

Abstract:

The papers of journalist, writer and cultural critic, Gilbert Seldes are primarily comprised of newspaper clippings that Seldes used as research for his writings. Drafts and printed copies of several articles are included, as well as a draft of his 1956 book, The Public Arts.

Gilbert Vivian Seldes was born on January 3, 1893 in the Jewish agricultural community of Alliance, New Jersey. Gilbert and his older brother George were raised by their father George, a non-observant Jew and self admitted philosophical radical, after their mother Anna died in 1896. Gilbert attended Central High School in Philadelphia and enrolled in Harvard University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1914.

He began his literary career as a music critic for The Philadelphia Public Ledger upon graduation from Harvard. After serving as a foreign correspondent in England during World War I, he returned to the United States and served in editorial capacities for numerous publications including The Dial. He went on to author several books, numerous articles, and essays. He also adapted works for Broadway, served as host and commentator for radio programs, and made documentary films. Other career highlights included being hired as the first director of television programs at CBS and serving as the first dean of the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School of Communication.

He married Alice Wadhams Hall in 1924, with whom he had two children: Timothy, a literary agent and Marian, a Tony Award winning actress. Seldes died in 1970 after a lengthy illness.

Divided into four series, this collection primarily contains research material Seldes gathered for his writings including his book The Public Arts. Also included in the collection is correspondence, drafts and printed copies of articles and reviews Seldes wrote in the 1940s and 1950s. Seldes filed his research material using a numbered category system for which no key to said system was included within the collection. At times, the category name was included on the file folder, but more often then not, it was excluded. It should also be noted that despite being marked with one category number, material may have been found in a different category folder. The material was left within the category in which it was found.

Some brittle and damaged newspaper clippings were replaced with copies obtained from ProQuest historical newspapers [electronic resource].