Guide to the Thornton Wilder letters, 1948-1975
(bulk 1969-1975)
Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680
email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org
Published in 2014
Collection Overview
| Title: | Thornton Wilder letters |
| Date range: | 1948-1975, (bulk 1969-1975) |
| Creator: | Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975 |
| Extent: | 0.05 linear feet (3 folders) |
| Abstract: | Letters written by Thornton Wilder (1897-1975), the successful American writer, to Roy S. and Margaret H. Anderson of Newport, Rhode Island. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | Redwood Library and Athenaeum |
| Collection number: | RLC.Ms.562 |
Scope & content
This collection consists of letters, postcards, and greeting cards sent by Thornton Wilder to both Roy S. and Margaret H. Anderson of Newport, Rhode Island. Also included are letters written by Wilder’s sister, Isabel Wilder, to the couple at times when Thornton was unable to do so himself. These letters typically concern Wilder’s travels for work, plans to visit Newport, and other social acquaintances. Also found within this collection is a letter Wilder sent to Mrs. Paul C. Rogers of Newport, in reply to her invitation to speak at the Art Association of Newport in 1973.Access Points
Subject Names Geographical Names Subject Topics Document TypesArrangement
This collection is arranged in alphabetical order and then chronologically within each folder.
Biographical note
Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) was born on April 17, 1897, in Madison, Wisconsin, and went on to become a successful American novelist, dramatist, and academic. He is the only writer to receive the Pulitzer Prize for both novels and plays. Among his best-known works are the novel, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, and the play, Our Town. Wilder died at his home in Hamden, Connecticut, where he had lived with his younger sister, Isabel Wilder (1900-1995) for many years, on December 7, 1975.Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Use of the materials: | This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Preferred citation: | Thornton Wilder letters, RLC.Ms.562, Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Contact information: | Redwood Library and Athenaeum 50 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Tel: (401) 847-0292 Fax: (401) 841-5680 email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | Letters and postcards sent to the Andersons were the gift of Roy and Margaret Anderson, March 1, 1990A. Acquisition of the November 17, 1973, letter to Mrs. Paul C. Rogers is unknown. |
| Processing information: | Prior to processing in 2014, this collection was found in the Steel Cabinet Collection: Drawer 7, Folder 15. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Delmage. |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth Delmage 2014 September 25 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
| Sponsor: | Funding for processing and cataloging this collection was provided by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. |
Additional Information
| Related material: | Thornton Wilder correspondence, writings, and other papers. Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. |
| Bibliography: |
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Inventory
| Manuscripts Box 2, Folder 1 | Letters |
1948 Apr 5-1975 Dec 28 |
| Manuscripts Box 2, Folder 2 | Postcards |
1948 Jul 4-1974 May 27 |
| Manuscripts Box 2, Folder 3 | Typed transcriptions |
1948 Apr 5-1975 Dec 28 |