Thornton Wilder papers 1892-1991 1935-1975

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Thornton Wilder papers 1892-1991 1935-1975

http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.wilder

The collection consists chiefly of correspondencewith family, friends, and literary colleagues; and writings, accompanied byrelated material. There are smaller amounts of personal papers, printedmaterial, photographs, memorabilia, and audio recordings. The materialdocuments Wilder's life and work, in particular his career as a successfulnovelist and playwright. Series I, Correspondence, consists of foursubseries: Family Correspondence; General Correspondence; First Name Only andUnidentified Correspondence; and Third Party Correspondence. Wilder'scorrespondence with family members, notably with his sister Isabel, isextensive and contains much information on both his personal and professionalactivities. General Correspondence consists mainly of letters received byWilder and particularly documents his literary activities and public receptionafter the success of Our Town in 1938. Correspondents include Garson Kanin,Michael Myerberg, Vivien Leigh, Louise Talma, Max Beerbohm, Vincent Sheean,Gertrude Stein, Glenway Wescott, and Herberth Herlitschka. Series II,Writings, contains excellent documentation of Wilder's works, includingholograph and typescript drafts of all of his major writings; extensivematerials relating to the production and adaptation histories of Our Town andThe Skin of Our Teeth; and review and publicity files for both plays andnovels. The series also holds drafts of many essays and lectures by Wilder, aswell as copies of writings by others, most but not allWilder-related. Series III, Personal Papers, includes journals,autobiographical notes and notebooks kept by Wilder; numerous awards and honorsbestowed on him; papers relating to his education and career as a universitylecturer; research notes on Finnegans Wake; his military service papers; andsome financial and travel records. Series IV, Printed Material, consists ofnewspaper clippings, pamphlets, and an extensive run of theater programs forplays attended by Wilder and his sister Isabel. Series V, Photographs,primarily contains portraits of Wilder taken throughout his life, includingsome of his stage appearances and a variety of publicity shots. There are alsophotographs of family and friends and production photographs for severalplays. Series VI, Memorabilia and Other Papers, contains artwork, otherrealia, and musical scores by Louise Talma and others. Series VII, Audio Tapesand Other Recordings, consists of a variety of sound recordings received withthe Wilder Papers, including interviews and readings. Series VIII, ThorntonWilder Papers Addition, contains a small amount of family correspondencereceived after the collection had been processed.

Total Boxes: 212 (incl. 41 oversize boxes); Other Storage Formats: 9 broadsides, 3 art storage items, cold storage.; Linear Feet: 113.88'

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Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 6349900

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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