Donaldson Family Letters
Collection
Identifier: MSS-576-BC
Scope and Content
This is a collection of letters written to Norman V. Donaldson, his wife Hildegarde, and his daughter Virginia "Midge" Donaldson, by Mabel Dodge Luhan, Dorothy Brett, Robinson Jeffers, and "Eileen Q" (Eileen Quinn, who was sales manager for the University of New Mexico Press). Norman Donaldson became secretary of Yale University Press in 1938, was appointed managing director in 1945, and became director of the Press from 1950 until he retired in 1959.
The letters suggest that the Donaldsons were well acquainted with the intellectual and artist scene in Taos, New Mexico, and were kept updated through correspondence with Mabel Dodge Luhan and Dorothy Brett. Luhan's letters to Hildegarde and Norman Donaldson are informal and gossipy, and among other things, chronicle an incident in 1938 in which Robinson Jeffers' wife Una shot herself. Jeffers' letters to Hildegarde Donaldson are in response to the same incident. Letters from Brett to Midge and Norman Donaldson are chatty about the various characters visiting and residing in Taos. Eileen Quinn's cards to Norman Donaldson are light-hearted and congratulatory about Yale Press publications and publicity.
The letters suggest that the Donaldsons were well acquainted with the intellectual and artist scene in Taos, New Mexico, and were kept updated through correspondence with Mabel Dodge Luhan and Dorothy Brett. Luhan's letters to Hildegarde and Norman Donaldson are informal and gossipy, and among other things, chronicle an incident in 1938 in which Robinson Jeffers' wife Una shot herself. Jeffers' letters to Hildegarde Donaldson are in response to the same incident. Letters from Brett to Midge and Norman Donaldson are chatty about the various characters visiting and residing in Taos. Eileen Quinn's cards to Norman Donaldson are light-hearted and congratulatory about Yale Press publications and publicity.
Dates
- 1936-1956
Creator
- Donaldson family (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Extent
1 box ( .17 cu. ft. )
Relevant Secondary Sources:
- Rudnick, Lois Palken. Mabel Dodge Luhan: New Woman, New Worlds. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1984.
Creator
- Donaldson family (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Donaldson Family Letters, 1936-1956
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by B. Silbergleit
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 576 BC::Donaldson Family Letters)//EN" "nmu1mss576bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451