Ruth Epperson Kennell papers, 1915-1970

The first section of the Kennell's collection is comprised of manuscripts for books, articles and short stories, with related notes and reference material. Researchers who desire first-hand autobiographical material are advised to read the manuscripts for Kuzbas: a Romantic Chronicle, in which Kennell recounts her life experiences.

The correspondence section reveals Kennell's wide range of contacts and acquaintances. She received letters from conservative Christian friends as well as the intellectual, politically sophisticated activists one might expect. Of special interest are Kennel's long, detailed, almost diary- like letters to her relatives at the Kuzbas colony, the hardships of living in Russia, the condition of life for the Russian population and to events in her own often turbulent, personal life. The letters, combined with Kennell's trip diaries are articles written by her as Russian correspondent, will provide the researcher with a rich source of material on both the leftist political movement of the period and on post-revolutionary Russia.

The correspondence between Kennel, her husband and various relatives and friends reveals some of the questions, doubts, and conflicts of individuals trying to replace Victorian values in their personal lives. Emancipation of woman from confining sex roles was a prevailing issue among leftists woman in the 1920s.

Other highlights of the correspondence section are original letters from Theodore Dreiser, Pearl J. Buck and H.L. Mencken (for whom Kennell wrote several articles). The Dreiser correspondence is of great interest, as he and Kennell maintained contact for the rest of his life. In one letter, Ms. Kennel criticizes Dreiser severely for his attitude toward woman, as expressed in a book he had written.

Also included in the collection are photographs of the Kennell family and of Russia, stories by Frank Kennell and Ruth. Kennell's mother, Ella Epperson Tosh, assorted essays, clippings and articles on Russia, copies of Ms. Kennell's published books and some miscellaneous personal material.

The Kennell Papers are doubly valuable for its fine assortment of manuscripts and working material from a successful author, and for the personal correspondence and diaries which express the perspective of an active American socialist from the 1920s through the McCarthy era and on into the Vietnam war.