William Grant Still from Katherine Biddle., 06/15/1942-03/08/1943
Collection-level Scope and Content Note
The papers of Katherine Biddle are organized into nine series: 1. Individuals - Correspondence with notable individuals, including composers, musicians, poets and writers (see biographical note below for a list of names). 2. Alphabetical correspondence - Frequent correspondents, arranged by name. 3. Chronological correspondence - Arranged alphabetically by year. 4. Literary associations, publications and publishers - Related correspondence files. Of particular note are files relating to the Library of Congress. 5. Major works - Correspondence and files relating to published works, “Outside of the World” (1930); “Bright Mariner” (1933); T”ime Has No Shadow” (1936); “Lament for the Stolen” (1938); “Plain Chant for America” (1942); “The Other Journey” (1959); and “Sojourner Truth” (c.1948). 6. Manuscripts - Poetry, articles and reviews, lectures and radio talks. 7. Subject and personal files - Includes research material on topics of personal interest, biographical information, appointment books. 8. Photographs - Of special interest are several scrapbooks and loose leaves from scrapbooks containing photographs of Katherine Biddle and the Biddle family. This series includes clippings of journal and newspaper reviews of Biddle's works. 9. Music scores - The collection includes several autograph music scores, as well as sheet music, by well-known composers, Will Marion Cook, Aaron Copland, Robert Nathaniel Dett, Esther B. Frost, Mary Howe, Elmo Russ, Sydney King Russell, and William Grant Still. Note that correspondence with Francis Biddle has been processed in the third part of the Biddle Family Papers, entitled, Biddle Family Letters.
Dates
- 06/15/1942-03/08/1943
Collection-level Access Restrictions
Access to this collection is by permission from the Biddle family. Please contact Booth Family Center for Special Collections for further information.
Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Extent
From the Collection: 34 Linear Feet (65 Hollinger boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Container Summary
Carbons of typed correspondence from Katherine Biddle to William Grant Still concerning performances of her choral poem, "Plain Chant for America." Includes a letter to Verna Arvey Still (3/8/1943 carbon). References to John Barbirolli, Irving Berlin (re suggestion that the poem be performed by his orchestra), Edward Johnson, Alain Locke, Burgess Meredith, and Leopold Stokowski. Also includes typescript of program notes about Katherine Biddle with references to "Plain Chant for America and her poem, "The Lady of the Inn."
Subjects and Associated Physical Materials
STILL, WILLIAM GRANT - CORRES. FROM BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
STILL, VERNA ARVEY - CORRES. FROM BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1943: Typed Letter Signed
BIDDLE, KATHERINE - "PLAIN CHANT FOR AMERICA" REFERENCES 1942-43: Typed Letter Signed
BIDDLE, KATHERINE - POEM: "LADY OF THE INN, THE" REFERENCE: Manuscript
BARBIROLLI, JOHN - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
BERLIN, IRVING - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
JOHNSON, EDWARD - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
LOCKE, ALAIN - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942-43: Typed Letter Signed
MEREDITH, BURGESS - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
STOKOWSKI, LEOPOLD - REFERENCE BY BIDDLE, KATHERINE 1942: Typed Letter Signed
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu