RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Sonia H. and Nathaniel A. Davis papers (MS.2012.003)

Brown University Library

Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Scope & content

This collection dates from 1879 to 1972, with the bulk between the early 1930s to the mid-1940s. It contains correspondence, handwritten and typescript manuscripts, personal documents, ephemera, artifacts, and printed materials covering a wide range of social and political topics. It also includes the administrative records of what appears to have been the short-lived humanitarian organization, Planetaryan, which was founded by Mr. Davis, and in which Mrs. Davis was chief administrator.

The materials that comprise the collection were gathered and arranged by Sonia H. Davis in the years following her husband's death in 1945. In the process, Mrs. Davis annotated materials with autographs, notes and attached clippings.

Series 1. Sonia H. Davis, dating from 1922 to 1971, contains materials created by or associated with Mrs. Davis. It includes correspondence mostly sent to her, some of which are from Mr. Davis and a few other from family members. (It should be noted here, however, that none of these are from or addressed to H.P. Lovecraft). This series also includes her financial and medical records, citizenship certificate, business cards, and burial plans. Most importantly, it contains a substantive collection of her writings, predominantly in manuscript form, including her play, "Alcestis;" a few of her poems; a substantial collection of her essays and editorials, many of which reflect her concern for the welfare of children; and some of her autobiographical writings. The autobiographical writings include a history of Mrs. Davis' family from the time they lived in Russia to her life after Nathaniel Davis' death. One manuscript was purchased and was transferred to this collection from the Howard P. Lovecraft papers: "I do not quite remember how and exactly when I had met Jamed Ferdinand Morton..." (A56758). This manuscript was probably written about 1969, since Mrs. Davis mentions her eighty-fifth birthday. It contains only passing references to Howard P. Lovecraft. Also included in the autobiographical writings are scattered remembrances of Mr. Davis and a copy of her brief memoir of H.P. Lovecraft, "Howard Phillips Lovecraft as His Wife Remembers Him", which was published in Books at Brown (vol. XI, nos. 1-2).

Series 2. Nathaniel A. Davis, dating from 1918 to 1964, comprises materials created by or associated with Mr. Davis. It includes correspondence sent to him and many copies of letters composed by him. Personal documents include his photo identification card, citizenship and death certificates, and curriculum vitae. What makes this series particularly significant is its comprehensive collection of Mr. Davis' prodigious writings in both manuscript and published form. It includes his poetry, essays and plays, all covering a wide variety of political, religious and social topics. Also of special note in this series are a few colorfully illustrated broadsides of Davis' poetry, not to mention a rare monograph of a selection of his patriotic poetry, entitled Faith, Hope, Tradition and Heritage of America, which was published posthumously by Mrs. Davis. Lastly, this series incorporates a collection of Mr. Davis' notebooks, some organized by topic or genre, of his various writings - much of it didactic in nature, most of it affirming his patriotic or religious views.

Series 4. Printed Materials,dating from 1908 to 1972, is mainly an obscure collection of a few scattered items in print, including small press periodicals, bulletins, newsletters, local trade journals, and a few monographs. Some of these contain editorials and essays by Sonia and Nathaniel, and a few include assorted inscriptions, annotations and marginalia. Items of note in this series include the medical study The Barrett Harmonic System for Perfect Eyesight, which was composed by Mr. Davis under the pseudonym Wesley M. Barrett; an issue from Child Security, which includes an article by Mrs. Davis; and also an issue from The California Welfare Journal, which was edited by Mr. Davis and includes both a short editorial piece and an article by him.

Series 5. Photographs, dating from 1893 to 1968, consists of mostly undated portraits and snapshots of Sonia and Nathaniel, family, friends, and associates. Of note are the many formal studio portraits, as well as a small photograph album comprised of a potpourri of pictures of family gatherings, travel landscapes, and other items.

Series 6. Ephemera, dating from 1879 to 1971, includes such items as newspaper clippings, blank greetings cards, and a collection of various invitations, programs, and brochures. Of note are a few astrological charts drawn up for the Sonia and Nathaniel.

Series 7. Artifacts, dating from 1938 to 1949, is comprised of an eclectic array of objects, including a few illustrated hand-made greeting cards by Mr. Davis, as well as an abstract portrait of an unidentified person done in pencil by an unidentified artist. It also contains a small collection of printing paraphernalia--printing blocks, printing plates, and printing proofs--connected to Mr. Davis' publishing endeavors, including the broadside of his poem, "The Swallows of San Juan Capistrano," and the score to "Stars and Stripes for Me," which includes lyrics by Mr. Davis. The most striking aspect of this series is its colorful collection of scrapbooks consisting of various materials including invitations; brochures; book reviews; drawings; clippings from magazines and newspapers; and articles by the Davis' and others. Many, if not most of them, contain writings by Mr. Davis and reflect his religious and social convictions, as well as his patriotic fervor.