Skip to main content

Warren Roberts Letters from Frieda Lawrence and Dorothy Brett

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-1014-BC

Scope and Content

The correspondence from Frieda Lawrence and Dorothy Brett to Warren Roberts focuses on the dispensation of D.H. Lawrence (DHL) material. Roberts is pursuing the material both for his own research and for the University of Texas collections. The letters become more informal and friendly as the relationships matured.

Frieda Lawrence’s letters provide insight into her contemplation regarding the dispensation of DHL’s manuscript materials and her feelings about the flurry of interest in DHL. Frieda addresses her letters to Warren and his wife, Pat.

Dorothy Brett’s correspondence with Roberts also becomes less formal and more friendly with time. Brett’s perennial financial struggle is prevalent in the conversations and negotiations for her letters, books, and artwork related to DHL. Her correspondence also provides insight into her personal life, her painting, Taos personalities, visitors, and the weather.

Dates

  • 1954-2003
  • Majority of material found within 1954-1971

Creator

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.

Biographical Information

Francis Warren Roberts was born in Menard, TX on December 3, 1916. He was the first of his family to attend college, graduating from Southwestern University in 1934. He taught high school in Hebbronville, TX until enlisting in the Naval Air Corps in November 1939. Roberts married Patricia Lomasney, a student at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1943. They had 2 children, Jeffrey (1944) and Victoria (1949).

After the war, Warren returned to Chicago, where he worked in graphic arts until 1947, when he moved with his family to Texas to begin a graduate program in English at the University of Texas, Austin. Warren developed his lifelong interest in D. H. Lawrence and in the practice of bibliography during this time. His dissertation "Materials for a Biblography of D. H. Lawrence" was supervised by Professor Harry Ransom.

Realizing the importance of preserving materials for literary research, Warren began to pursue the acquisition of 20th century materials for the university. This led to the creation of the University of Texas’ Humanities Research Center. Harry Ransom was the Center’s first director; Roberts followed, serving in this capacity from 1961-1978. His Bibliography of D. H. Lawrence was published in 1963. It was revised twice and the third edition was completed at the time of his death on January 15, 1998.

Extent

1 box (.24 cu. ft.)

Abstract

Letters written to Warren Roberts from Frieda Lawrence and Dorothy Brett regarding dispensation of D. H. Lawrence material.

Related Archival Material

Dorothy Brett Papers. Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico Libraries. This collection includes a folder of Roberts' letters to Brett.

General

This collection includes a folder of Roberts' letters to Brett.
Title
Finding Aid of the Warren Roberts Letters from Frieda Lawrence and Dorothy Brett, 1954-2003
Status
Completed
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2018
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

  • 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