ORU_Ax366.xml Guide to the Dorothy Speare Papers 1914-1948 Speare (Dorothy) papers Finding aid prepared by University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team and Austin Munsell Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives 2012
1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 spcarref@uoregon.edu http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-12-22. Finding aid written in English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 spcarref@uoregon.edu http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll
Dorothy Speare papers Speare, Dorothy, 1898-1951 Ax 366 7.5 linear feet 5 containers 5 record storage boxes 1914-1948 Dorothy Speare (1898-1951) was an opera singer turned author who wrote the novel Dancers in the Dark. The collection consists of Speare's manuscripts, correspondence, personal files, and school and college papers. English . 1 2 3 4 5

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 Speare, Dorothy, 1898-1951 Speare, Dorothy, 1898-1951 Authors, American--20th century American fiction--20th century Sopranos (Singers)--United States American literature--Women authors Women authors, American--20th century American fiction--Women authors American literature--20th century Literature Correspondence Novels Manuscripts for publication Short stories Plays

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

Dorothy Speare (1898-1951) was born in Newton Center, Massachusetts, and educated at Smith College and Radcliffe College. Between 1926 and 1930 she worked toward an operatic career, but was forced to abandon opera due to illness. From 1931 to 1934 she was a scenario writer in Hollywood. After that, Speare became a full time author, writing such books as Dancers in the Dark and Spring on 52nd St.. From 1948 to 1951 Speare taught creative writing at Boston University.

The collection consists of Speare's manuscripts, correspondence, personal files, and school and college papers.

The manuscripts consist of 9 novels, 47 short stories, 4 plays, and a collection of printed pieces. Novels included are: Behind the Moon, Head of the Bay, Linda, Nowadays, Of Human Error, The Road to Needles, Spring on 52nd St., and Week of the Tournament. Among the plays is the manuscript of Prima Donna which became the motion picture, One Night of Love.

The correspondence is extensive with 538 general and professional letters and an additional 478 family letters. Major correspondents include: Russel Davenport, Joseph H. Goodspeed, Dorothy Heyward, Vincent Lawrence, Robert Nathan, Franklin Christmas (Speare's 1st husband), Charles J. Hubbard (her 2nd husband), and Edward Ray Speare (her father).

Personal files include publicity photos as well as a section of materials related to Speare's opera career.

The papers also include 48 volumes of manuscripts and published items written when the author was a student in high school, at Smith College, and a student in George Pierce Baker's 47 Workshop, Radcliffe, 1919. A few of Miss Speare's manuscripts are held by Boston University.

 Guide to the Dorothy Speare Papers

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