Collection Documents Early Twentieth Century Literary Relationships

“You, Freida and I don’t make a happy combination now. The best is that we should prepare to separate: that you should go your own way. I am not angry; except that I hate ‘situations’ and feel humiliated by them…I am grateful for the things you have done for me. But we must stand apart.”

In a letter dated January 1925 and sent from English novelist and short story writer D.H. Lawrence while in Oaxaca, Mexico, to Dorothy Brett, who was living on his ranch in Taos, New Mexico, Lawrence let his feelings be known about the sometimes tense relationship he and his wife, Frieda, shared with Brett. The multiple letters that comprise the Dorothy Brett papers, housed at the Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB), provide an insight not only into Brett’s relationship with the Lawrences, but with other literary and art figures during the early twentieth century. Newly organized with an online finding aid, the Brett papers provide a wealth of information about Brett and her social circles.

Close up image of a handwritten letter
Detail of a January 1925 letter from D.H. Lawrence to Dorothy Brett

British by birth and raised near Windsor, Dorothy Brett’s father was influential in the affairs of England and the royal family. After attending the Slade School of Art, Brett began her career as an artist. In 1924, she accepted an invitation by D.H. Lawrence to move to the United States to join the artistic and bohemian community that had formed there. She remained in the United States for the remainder of her life and eventually became a U.S. citizen.

Her papers consist of approximately 200 letters, dating from 1916-1948, from several major early twentieth century literary figures including D.H. Lawrence, Frieda Lawrence, John Middleton Murray, J.M. Barrie, Muriel Draper, A.R. Orage, Sigried Sassoon, and Virginia Woolf. Additional correspondents include artist Augustus John and economist John Maynard Keynes.

The bulk of the letters are written by D.H. and Frieda Lawrence between 1924 and 1930. The Lawrence letters provide insight into the sometimes inviting and sometime contentious relationship between Brett and the Lawrences. Topics include the Lawrences’ travels to Europe and Mexico and in the United States; D.H. Lawrence’s illnesses; his writing and publishing activities; an exhibition of D.H. Lawrence’s photographs; the Lawrences’ ranch in New Mexico; and the disposition of his manuscripts.

Printed advertisements for D.H. Lawrence's book, Lady Chatterley's Lover
Printed advertisements for D.H. Lawrence’s book, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

The letters from John Middleton Murray, a friend of Brett and husband of writer Katherine Mansfield, form the second largest group of letters. They concern Murray’s relationship with Brett prior to and after his marriage, his support of her work as an artist, Katherine Mansfield’s writing and health, and Murray’s own writing and editing of Mansfield’s letters, as well as his thoughts on D.H. and Frieda Lawrence.

Printed obituary from a newspaper for the author Katherine Mansfield.
Printed obituary from a newspaper for the author Katherine Mansfield. The obituary was included in a letter from Mansfield’s husband, John Middleton Murray, to Dorothy Brett.

The letters from other correspondents, while not as extensive or expressive, provide a view toward Brett’s social and artistic relations. Others mentioned in passing throughout the letters in this collection include Nancy Cunard, Aldous Huxley, S.S. Koteliansky, Lady Ottoline Morrell, Vita Sackville-West, and Carl Van Vechten, making the Dorothy Brett Papers a valuable collection for any student or researcher interested in British literature during the early decades of the twentieth century. The collection complements a small number of D.H. Lawrence manuscripts and additional sets of correspondence he exchanged with others, which are also housed at ARB. Those interested in consulting the collection can schedule a research appointment at ARB by emailing archives@ucmail.uc.edu.

Announcement of Archives Career Panel, October 6th

Are you the family historian? Do you like to look at old photographs? Like solving puzzles and bringing a little order to unorganized things? Then a career in archives may be just what you are looking for!

The Archives and Rare Books Library would like to cordially invite all UC students to attend our Archives Career Panel in celebration of American Archives Month this October.

This moderated, hour-long talk will feature conversation between archivists from UC Libraries, as well as local Cincinnati archivists, as they discuss their career paths, reflect on the current and future state of the profession, and answer audience questions in a Q&A.  

The event will be held on Monday, October 6th from 1:30-2:30pm in Room 471 of Langsam Library. 

Please direct any questions about the event to Catherine Cubera at cuberace@ucmail.uc.edu or Christopher Harter at hartercr@ucmail.uc.edu.

We hope to see you there!

Illustrating War: Announcing the Daniel S. Young Archives of Medical Illustrations digital collection

Medical illustrations and drawings are a reflection of the state of medical practice at a specific moment in time providing a visual record of science, technology, and anatomical knowledge. 

The artwork of Daniel S. Young highlights the artistic and medical contributions of an American Civil War era medical illustrator in a military context. Daniel S. Young: American Civil War Medical Illustrations on JSTOR. His artistry paints a portrayal of how medical illustration informed medical professionals during the 19th century. Young’s Civil War medical illustrations were crucial in educating doctors on surgical procedures and about previously unseen wounds. While medical illustrations such as Dr. Daniel Young’s served to educate doctors they were also important in aiding veterans in their pension claims and showing how the war impacted the soldiers’ health.

Cuts along the upper arm and elbow. Stone's River, Tennessee.
Cuts along the upper arm and elbow. Stone’s River, Tennessee.
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Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

source

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, welcomes Bearcats to campus and we highlight what we did over the summer. We announce a new digital collection, The Daniel S. Young Archives of Medical Illustrations, as well as a collaboration to digitize rare manuscripts. We invite readers to the upcoming Cecil Striker Annual Lecture, “Pharmacy Education in the Queen City,” and to learn more about other Library Events. Chris Platts, assistant professor of art history and frequent collaborator with the Libraries, talks about some of his projects and research interests. And Katie Foran-Mulcahy writes about efforts to re-make the MakerLab in the CECH Library.

Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.

Langsam exhibit celebrates the past, present and future of the Arlitt Center

picture from the arlitt exhibit

For 100 years, the Arlitt Center has been a cornerstone of early childhood education, founded as one of the nation’s first laboratory preschools and continuously championing the rights and potential of young children. The center was founded by Ada Hart Arlitt, PhD, University of Cincinnati faculty member and a prominent figure in early childhood psychology and the child study movement.

An exhibit on display on the fourth floor of the Walter C. Langsam Library celebrates the past, present and future of the Arlitt Center. Included in the exhibit are images from the Archives and Rare Books Library and a bibliography of published works by Ada Hart Arlitt.

picture from the arlitt exhibit

The Archives and Rare Books Library holds the Ada Hart Arlitt Papers, containing correspondence related to her professional activities as a faculty member in the Department of Child Care and Training at UC, as well as her involvement with the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. A finding aid about the collection is available.

The exhibit was a collaboration between with Arlitt Center and UC Libraries. Reece Guthier, communication design co-op student, designed the exhibit.

Crissy Ross joins UC Libraries as Collection Strategies Librarian

UC Libraries is excited to welcome Crissy Ross as the new Collection Strategies Librarian. Crissy is returning to UC, where she originally earned her BA in Psychology. She holds a MSLS from the University of Kentucky and is working towards a Master’s in Business and Leadership Innovation at Northern Kentucky University. Since March 2022, she has been the Director of the Library at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Prior to that, she has held various library roles in scholarly communication, collections, and public services.

Crissy Ross, Collection Strategies Librarian

Her work will focus on implementing the process for the libraries’ physical collections review, rolling out Greenglass, assisting in the formation of new collection development policies and preparing information to support space planning efforts.

Welcome, Crissy!

Understanding the content of the NAACP Bronson v. Board collection

Last November, the University of Cincinnati Libraries announced the award of an Archives Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to the Libraries’ Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB). This grant supports the archival processing of records related to the lawsuit Bronson v. Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Cincinnati maintained by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and donated to the University of Cincinnati in the 1980s.   

Archival records from organizations may contain an array of documents and an incredible amount of those documents, such as correspondence, meeting minutes and case files. When this occurs, archivists may arrange the material into series and subseries in order to assist researchers in accessing the collection. The NAACP Bronson v. Board records is an example of this practice. Due to the extensive material within the collection, it is vital to note the different types of documents and what they mean in the context of the case. This includes files created and kept by the school districts and documents that originated in the court. For both document types, ARB has consulted with the Office of General Counsel to determine if any records need to be restricted or redacted.

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Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

source

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, writes about how UC Libraries is taking advantage of funding opportunities to Invest in Strategic Priorities. The Archives and Rare Books Library announces receipt of a national grant to process historic Cincinnati schools desegregation case records.The Carl Solway Gallery Archive in the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) Library is featured. Ted Baldwin, head of the Sciences Libraries, writes about how the razing of the iconic Crosley Tower will necessitate the move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space to Braunstein Hall where it will merge with the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library to become the Science Library opening fall semester.

Beginning in 2025, the Preservation Lab expanded its mission to provide expertise and services to the larger cultural heritage community, moving to a regional lab model. Under this new model, the Preservation Lab is now entirely managed, staffed and equipped by the University of Cincinnati. Two articles: Re-introducing the Preservation Lab and Exploring Historical Bindings: A Hands-On Workshop at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library celebrate the Preservation Lab. Open Access publishing opportunities are discussed in this issue and upcoming Library Events are listed.

Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.

Meet the notable and expert witnesses of Bronson v. Board of Education 

Image of document titled report to the court re: deposition of plaintiffs expert witnesses. Lists names of witnesses deposed in April of unknown year. April 1 is Dr. Robert Green. April 15, 18 and 24 is Mr. William Lamson. April 21 is Dr. Gordon Foster. April 25 is Dr. Karl Taeuber. The second part of the document lists so far the number of days each witness was deposed. Mr. Martin Sloane one day. Dr. Karl Taeuber, Dr. Robert Green and Dr. Gordon Forster each two days. Mr. William Lamson six days. The document finishes with a note that Mr. Sloane and Dr. Taeuber are about finished with their depositions and how long extra the rest will need. Dr. Green one additional day. Dr. Foster and Mr. Lamson both four additional days.

Last November, the University of Cincinnati Libraries announced the award of an Archives Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to the Libraries’ Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB). This grant supports the archival processing of records related to the lawsuit Bronson v. Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Cincinnati maintained by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and donated to the University of Cincinnati in the 1980s.   

All achievements and accomplishments of the witnesses listed are current as of 1979, the year that the witnesses began giving depositions. 

A black and white photograph of Theodore Berry sitting at his desk in a suit and glasses. He has a corded telephone up to his left ear and is smiling into the camera. He is holding a pen to a piece of paper in his right hand.

Theodore Berry (1905-2000) 

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Black History Month spotlight: Marian Spencer  

Our final spotlight of Black History Month is a well-known figure in Cincinnati’s history of civil rights and activism, Marian Spencer. Born in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1920, Marian Alexander was a graduate of Gallia Academy and went on to study English literature at the University of Cincinnati. During her time at the university, she was involved in campus life and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. While here, she also met her husband, Donald Spencer. After college, the couple settled down and had two sons, Donald and Edward. 

"Every child should at least have a chance to get a good education."

Spencer’s sons were actually what sparked her passion for civil rights and equality. When the boys were young, they wanted to go to an event at Coney Island Amusement Park but were disappointed when they showed up and were escorted out because it was a segregated event. Spencer, along with 28 other witnesses filed a lawsuit and won the case to desegregate the park.  

Following this event, Spencer dedicated herself to fighting for civil rights and equality in the Cincinnati area. She spent time as the NAACP Cincinnati Chapter president, served on Cincinnati’s City Council and was a representative of Ohio’s Democratic Party at a national level. Even more than this, Spencer was passionate about equality in education and played a pivotal role in the 1974 Bronson case, which was a catalyst in desegregating Cincinnati Public Schools. Other organizations Spencer worked with include Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Planned Parenthood, Cincinnati Human Services Task Force and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Ohio Advisory Board.  

You might recognize Marian Spencer’s name by the street that’s named after her downtown, the dormitory that’s named after her or perhaps by her well-known scholarship here at UC. To learn more about Marian Spencer’s life and work, visit the digital exhibit: 

To see the full collection of Marian and Donald Spencer Papers, visit the University Archives at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library.