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Margaret McHenry papers
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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Margaret McHenry earned her doctorate in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1931. Her dissertation was titled "The Ulster Theatre in Ireland." Following her graduation, she taught English at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia and continued to write.
In 1939, she published Belief and the Age of Science (Philadelphia, Magee Press). She also wrote poems; "Thomas Eakins who painted" (privately printed for the author); "Dr. S.Weir Mitchell: the Physician Who Wrote;" and "England in English;" none of which appear to have been published.
This collection contains writings by Margaret McHenry. The collection is arranged in four series: I. "The Ulster Theatre in Ireland;" II. Poetry; III. Biography of S. Weir Mitchell; and IV. "A Booklover's Britain," later "England in English." For the most part, each of her works is represented by a nearly finished copy; and in some cases, with drafts and notes.
The first series, "The Ulster Theatre in Ireland," is by far the most well represented in the collection. Written as her dissertation, McHenry's correspondence, research, and drafts are included. Researchers interested in the Ulster Theatre will find letters to and from individuals working at various theaters in Ireland who provided information on plays performed by the Ulster Players; galley proofs of the first three chapters; draft materials; notes from interviews; scripts of plays; and transcriptions of newspaper articles about the Ulster Theatre. In addition to providing a fair amount of information about the topic; this series also provides information on the way that McHenry researched and wrote.
The second series, Poetry, includes two volumes of poems written by McHenry. "Some Irish Capitals," completed in 1933, contains poems that are fairly religious in nature and appear to focus on divine inspiration and guidance for her writing. Each poem is illuminated with a colored capital letter and occasionally a few other decorations. "20 Poems," includes three thematic sets of poems, "Dance Fantasia," "Twelve Sonnets in Thanksgiving for a Return to the Wissahickon," and "Eastern View."
Series III. Biography of S. Weir Mitchell includes a letter, notes, and typescript versions of the final product about a much-lauded Philadelphia physician, scientist, and novelist, considered by many to be the father of neurology.
The final series, Series IV. "A Booklover's Britain," later "England in English" includes three typescripts. Several are heavily corrected and annotated. The third version appears to be close to her final version and includes photographs.
Gift of the estate of Margaret McHenry, 1950.
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- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
- Finding Aid Author
- Holly Mengel
- Finding Aid Date
- 2019 August 5
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.