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Florence Bean James papers, 1916-1988

Overview of the Collection

Creator
James, Florence Bean, 1892-1988
Title
Florence Bean James papers
Dates
1916-1988 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.31 cubic feet plus 1 vertical file and 2 microfilm reels
Collection Number
2117
Summary
Papers of Florence Bean James, a Seattle theater director and consultant
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Florence Bean James, along with her husband Burton W. James, were founders of the Seattle Repertory Playhouse and played a central role in the city’s theatrical life for nearly 30 years. They arrived in 1923, coaxed west from New York to teach drama and produce plays at the Cornish School. They established the Repertory Playhouse (not to be confused with the Seattle Repertory Theatre) five years later. Their reputation was tarnished and their theatre forced out of business after they became targets of the Washington State Legislative Committee on Un-American Activities, headed by Representative Albert Canwell, in 1948. After Burton’s death in 1951, Florence James accepted a position as a drama instructor at the Saskatchewan School of the Arts. In 1953, she joined the Saskatchewan Arts Board as drama consultant, holding that position until 1968. She was instrumental in the founding of the acclaimed Globe Theatre in Regina, Saskatchewan. She was much honored for her work in Canada, receiving, among other awards, the Legion of Honor Medal, the Queen’s Silver Medal, and the Diplôme d’Honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts. She died in Regina on January 18, 1988, at age 95.

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Content Description

The Florence Bean James papers contain correspondence, programs, photos, clippings, and other papers, relating to James's career as director of theater, Cornish School of Allied Arts, Seattle, Washington (1923-1928); co-founder (with her husband, Burton W. James) and director, Seattle Repertory Playhouse (1928-1950); director, Washington State Theatre (1936-1939); director, Federal Theatre Project, Seattle (1936-1938); and director, instructor, or consultant with various drama groups in Canada from 1937. Includes manuscript of James's unpublished memoir, "Fists Upon a Star," and anonymous manuscript (44 pages) documenting defense preparation and appearance before Washington State Legislature Joint Legislative Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities (1948) of James and her husband and four co-defendants (the Seattle Six). Also included is a program, clipping, obituaries, tributes from a memorial celebration for Florence James held in Seattle in 1988.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

  • Accession No. 2117-001, Florence Bean James papers, 1916-1972
  • Accession No. 2117-003, Drafts of manuscript "Fists upon a star", before 1978
  • Accession No. 2117-004, Florence Bean James papers, 1988

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Theatrical companies--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • James, Florence Bean, 1892-1988--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Repertory Playhouse
  • Washington (State). Legislature. Joint Legislative Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Gundlach, Ralph H. (Ralph Harrelson), 1902-1978 (creator)
    • James, Burton W (creator)
    • Ottenheimer, Albert M (creator)

    Corporate Names

    • Cornish School of Allied Arts (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Seattle Repertory Theatre (creator)
    • Washington State Theater (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)


2007 (Last modified: 4/16/2018)

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