Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Brooke, Jocelyn
2. Evans, Maurice, 1901-1989
3. Hassall, Christopher, 1912-1963
4. Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963
5. Irwin, Margaret, -1967
6. Lawrence, Gertrude
7. Nesbitt, Cathleen, 1888-1982
8. Priestley, J. B. (John Boynton), 1894-1984
9. Robson, Flora, 1902-1984
10. Savoir, Alfred, 1883-1934
11. Sullavan, Margaret, 1909-1960
12. Thorndike, Sybil, Dame, 1882-1976

Description

1. 2 lin. ft. (8 boxes).

Summary

1. The John Van Druten papers consist of diaries, correspondence, writings, scrapbooks and ephemera documenting his life and career. The papers span the years 1901-1957 and give excellent insight into Van Druten's creative processes. Missing from the collection are scripts of his most well-known works. There are however, scripts for some plays including AWAKENING, CHANCE ACQUAINTAINCE, DANCING IN THE CHECKERED SHADE, THE RETURN HALF and SOLITAIRE. The papers also include many other literary forms: essays, parodies and poetry all written by Van Druten.

Subject

1. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957
2. Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979
3. Theater -- United States
4. Parodies
5. Dramatists

Genre/Form

1. Diaries.
2. Scrapbooks.
3. Scripts.

Call number

1. *T-Mss 1958-002

Access (note)

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

Source (note)

1. Douglas Ebersole and Carter Lodge

Biography (note)

1. John Van Druten, writer and director, was born in London in 1901. Though interested in becoming a writer, he studied law and qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature. He did not pursue a legal career, however and took a teaching position at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth. During this period Van Druten continued to write and in 1925 he wrote his first successful play YOUNG WOODLEY. This marked the beginning of his literary career and the end of his life in academia. Van Druten was especially skilled as a writer of stage plays. Among his most popular works are: I AM A CAMERA; BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE; I REMEMBER MAMA and THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE. As a director he gained acclaim for the Broadway production of THE KING AND I. He died in 1957.

Processing action (note)

1. Cataloged

Author

1. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957.

Title

1. John Van Druten papers, 1901-1957.

Restricted access

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

Biography

1. John Van Druten, writer and director, was born in London in 1901. Though interested in becoming a writer, he studied law and qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature. He did not pursue a legal career, however and took a teaching position at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth. During this period Van Druten continued to write and in 1925 he wrote his first successful play YOUNG WOODLEY. This marked the beginning of his literary career and the end of his life in academia. Van Druten was especially skilled as a writer of stage plays. Among his most popular works are: I AM A CAMERA; BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE; I REMEMBER MAMA and THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE. As a director he gained acclaim for the Broadway production of THE KING AND I. He died in 1957.

Local note

1. Some materials in this collection previously cataloged as MWEZ+ n.c. 9752-9754; 19235; 19482; 19652.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material
2. Finding Aid

Added author

1. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Awakening.
2. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Chance acquaintaince.
3. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Dancing in the checkered shade.
4. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Return half.
5. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Solitaire.
6. Van Druten, John, 1901-1957. Warden.
7. Brooke, Jocelyn.
8. Evans, Maurice, 1901-1989.
9. Hassall, Christopher, 1912-1963.
10. Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963.
11. Irwin, Margaret, -1967.
12. Lawrence, Gertrude.
13. Nesbitt, Cathleen, 1888-1982.
14. Priestley, J. B. (John Boynton), 1894-1984.
15. Robson, Flora, 1902-1984.
16. Savoir, Alfred, 1883-1934.
17. Sullavan, Margaret, 1909-1960.
18. Thorndike, Sybil, Dame, 1882-1976.

Research call number

1. *T-Mss 1958-002