Lillian Gish letters and ephemera, 1936-1991.

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (59.61 KB)

Creator

Belden, James Orson, 1914-1998.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• .42 linear feet (1 box)

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Scope/Contents Note

The collection documents both the long-time correspondencebetween James Belden and Lillian Gish and his admiration for her which is illustrated in his documentation of her career. The correspondence spans the years 1936 to 1991 and contains many of Gish's opinions and insights into theworld of the theater and her tastes in literature. The clippings and articles document primarily her earlier career, becoming sketchy during Ms. Gish's middle age.

Biographical/Historical Note

James Orson Belden, born in Rochester, New York on August 4, 1914, was a long time fan and friend of Lillian Gish. The friendship started when he wrote to her enclosing a copy of The Duchess of Malfi. This began a long-time friendly correspondence discussing the theater, film and literature. Belden's interests included silent film, literature, art, music and theater. He was mostly self-taught having attended Aquinas High School in Rochester, New York. During World War II, he worked as a clerk in the Ordinance section of the War Department and was stationed in England during that time. After the war, Belden applied for work in the Foreign Service. He was sent to Belgium in 1947 where he held the position of visaspecialist. Throughout most of his career he was stationed in Western Europe having assignments in England (1953-1963) and in France (1963-1967). James Orson Belden retired to the United States and lived in Wilmington, Delaware where he died on August 12, 1998.

Controlled Access Terms

• Belden, James Orson, 1914-1998.
• Gish, Lillian, 1893-1993.
• Theater -- United States.
• Motion picture actors and actresses -- United States.

Additional Creator Name

• Gish, Lillian, 1893-1993.