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Earl Robinson papers, 1926-2013

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Robinson, Earl, 1910-1991
Title
Earl Robinson papers
Dates
1926-2013 (inclusive)
Quantity
77.87 cubic feet (114 boxes, including 1 film reel, 2 audio cassettes, 15 videocassettes (U-matic), 4 videocassettes (VHS), and 4 sound discs; and 1 tube, 2 folders, and 1 package)
Collection Number
4240
Summary
Papers and recorded works of a composer, music educator, and public performer from Seattle, Washington
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

Access to portions of the collection is restricted. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

No user access copy is available for audio cassettes, videocassettes, sound discs, and film reel. Users may be able to obtain a reproduction of the media for a fee. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Earl Hawley Robinson (1910-1991) was a composer and musician. Both his performances and his compositions were influenced by folk music. He was born in Seattle in 1910, and attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1933 with a B.A. in music and a teaching degree. In the 1930s he moved to New York and was involved with, among other things, the Federal Theatre Project, and Camp Unity in Wingdale, New York. In the early 1940s, he worked in radio with singers and musicians Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger and Burl Ives. He moved to California in 1943 and wrote songs and scores for films. After 1947, he was "graylisted" because of his left-wing political views and no longer received offers to work on films. In 1961, he moved back to New York where he continued to write and collaborate on many songs and perform in concerts. In 1965, he moved to California where he pursued work in films and continued to compose music. His best known compositions are "Joe Hill," "Ballad for Americans," "The House I Live In," and "Black and White."

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Content Description

Musical score manuscripts, published scores, sheet music, correspondence, films, radio productions, personal and family materials, scripts of screenplays and other dramatic works, programs, speeches and writings, contracts, financial records, ephemera, programs, artifacts, newspaper clippings, biographical features, photographs, scrapbooks, audio recordings, audio-visual recordings, commercial recordings, recorded interviews with Robinson, and transcripts. Also includes materials related to the producution of Robinson's biography, "Ballad of an American."

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 11 accessions.

  • Accession No. 4240-001, Earl Robinson papers, 1926-1971
  • Accession No. 4240-008, Earl Robinson papers, 1931-1991
  • Accession No. 4240-009, Earl Robinson papers, 1943
  • Accession No. 4240-010, Earl Robinson papers, 1944-1991
  • Accession No. 4240-011, Earl Robinson papers, 1989
  • Accession No. 4240-012, Earl Robinson papers, 1984-1991
  • Accession No. 4240-013, Earl Robinson papers, approximately 1940-1984
  • Accession No. 4240-014, Earl Robinson papers, 2009
  • Accession No. 4240-015, Earl Robinson papers, 1927-2007
  • Accession No. 4240-016, Earl Robinson papers, 1937-2013
  • Accession No. 4240-017, Earl Robinson papers, 1954-2008

Related Materials

View the B. J. Bullert papers for additional Earl Robinson materials.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

Personal Names

Corporate Names

Other Creators


2011 (Last modified: 1/26/2024)

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