Papers of Kenneth Roberts, 1911-1947.

ArchivalResource

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

Papers of Kenneth Roberts, 1911-1947.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/32136005

The collection consists chiefly of page proofs and correspondence. Bound page proofs (2 vols.), annotated and corrected, are of "Moreau de St. Méry'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 Saint-Méry emigrated to Philadelphia from France during the 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-Méry aux États-Unis de l'Amérique, 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 two sent to his friend, Franklin P. Adams. In the first (1911 December 20), Roberts thanks Adams for his gift of a book by Arnold Bennett. In the second (1918 September 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