Papers: 1911-1947.

ArchivalResource

Roberts, Kenneth Lewis, 1885-1957. Papers: 1911-1947.

Papers: 1911-1947.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122493294

The collection consists chiefly of page proofs and correspondence. Bound page proofs (2 vols.), annotated and corrected, are of Moreau de St. Mʹery's American Journey, 1793-1798 as translated and edited by Kenneth Roberts and Anna M. Roberts, 1947. The preface, which explains the reason for the translation, is by Kenneth Roberts, and the introduction is by Stewart L. Mims. Moreau de St. Mʹery emigrated to Philadelphia from France during th French Revolution. Roberts first learned of him while doing research for the historical novel, Lydia Bailey, and felt that the Frenchman's astute observations of early American life in Voyage de Saint-Mʹery aux Etats-Unis de lAmʹerique, 1793-1798 merited an English translation. With the page proofs is Roberts's bookplate, in a design which was also used for some of his postcards. Correspondence consists of both personal and business letters, many sent from Roberts's home in Kennebunkport, Me. Personal letters include 2 sent to his friend, Franklin P. Adams. In the first (1911 Dec. 20), Roberts thanks Adams for his gift of a book by Arnold Bennett. In the second (1918 Sept. 21), written while en route to Siberia on an army intelligence assignment during World War I, Roberts tells about the trip and asks about friends and organizations back in Washington, D.C. Business letters and postcards from Roberts include those communicating with descendants of revolutionary war soldiers (1930), accepting a writing assignment (1939), declining permission to translate his old works (1939), requesting several books from Mr. Solle, a Michigan bookshop owner (1944), and replying to letters about his work. In these replies, Roberts offers opinions on a variety of literary and historical topics. Replying to Dr. Kronovet (1937), Roberts expresses an unfavorable opinion of American realists, commenting that they were just imitators of Zola. In a letter to Walter S. Funnell (1941), Roberts gives his opinion on a particular battle of the American Revolution and recommends a chapter on the subject in Charles Francis Adams's book, Studies Military and Diplomatic, 1775-1865. Also included is a letter (1945) to E.J. Halter in which Roberts discusses the nature of book collecting, expressing the view that it is better to collect books for enjoyment, whatever their edition than simply to hunt for rare first editions. He states his own enjoyment of Arnold Bennett's works and his dislike of his own first edition of Arundel. Roberts also specifies some different editions of Northwest Passage, Oliver Wiswell, and Rabble in Arms for Halter to purchase, compare and see which he preferred. With the correspondence is an autographed quotation beginning "The southwest wind brought us...." from Rabble in Arms.

14 items.

University of Virginia. Library