Brentano, Lowell, 1895-1950

Lowell Brentano (1895-1950) was born in New York City on April 18, 1895. He graduated with honors from Harvard in 1918 and joined the family publishing firm in an editorial capacity, later becoming vice-president. He was also writing plays, and in 1926 authored with Fulton Oursler, "The Spider," which enjoyed a long New York run and was performed in seven European countries. Other Brentano plays include "Zepplin," "Family Affairs," "Danger - Men Working," and "Great Lady." Brentano married Frances Hyams, an editor and literary scout who received her PhD in English from Radcliff in 1917.

In 1933, the Brentanos left the family business and concentrated on their writing careers. Lowell Brentano continued writing plays, movie scripts, articles and novels. Francis Brentano aided her husband critically and editorially and wrote magazine articles and fiction during the 1930s and 1940s. Lowell Brentano died in 1950 and Francis Brentano continued his activities with the New York League for the Hard of Hearing and as a publishing scout for several major publishers.

From the guide to the Lowell and Frances Hyams Brentano papers, 1917-1952, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)