Booth Tarkington Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS025

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains approximately 100 letters written by Booth Tarkington during the 1930s. Most of the letters were written to his nephew, Booth Tarkington Jameson. The other letters were written to his sister, Haute Ovid Butler Jameson as well as to his niece Josephine Ovid Butler Jameson and his wife Susannah Tarkington. The contents of the letters range in subject from family to work. Booth Tarkington wrote to Booth Jameson about his stories as his nephew was also a writer, and Tarkington would help him with his subject matter.

The collection also contains photographs and newspaper articles related to Booth Tarkington, his family, and his home in Kennebunkport, Maine. There is also a box of materials that portray his work and life throughout the years; it contains newspaper clippings and magazine articles written by and about Booth Tarkington.

Dates

Creation: 1913 - 1956
Creation: Majority of material found within 1933 - 1940

Creator

Tarkington, Booth (Newton Booth), 1869-1946 (Person)
Tarkington, Susanah, 1870-1966 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical Note

Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) was a novelist and playwright from Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Purdue and Princeton universities (graduating with Princeton Class of 1893) and was a prominent figure in the history of Indianapolis. He is famed for writing many stories including The Magnificent Ambersons, Penrod, and Alice Adams, and for winning two Pulitzer Prizes for his work.

Extent

4.06 Linear Feet (3 oversize boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of letters, photographs and other materials related to the life of Booth Tarkington. The bulk of the collection is letters written by Booth Tarkington to his nephew and sister. It also contains magazine articles written by Booth Tarkington.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in one series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Mrs. John T. Jameson, a relation of Booth Tarkington, donated this collection to Butler University Libraries in 1992 (Accession number 1992.002). Loretta E. Pittenger added to this collection in 1995 (Accession number 1995.001).