Finding Aid to the Samson DeBrier Papers, 1948-1995
Coll2014.005
Finding aid prepared by Loni Shibuyama
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
(c) 2014
Title: Samson DeBrier papers
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.005
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.2 linear feet.
1 archive box + 1 archive carton.
Date (inclusive): 1948-1995
Abstract: Correspondence, notes, photographs, clippings, biographical material, and other personal papers, 1948-1995, from actor, artist,
and raconteur Samson DeBrier. After working as an actor in the 1910s and 1920s, most notably in the film
Salome, the eccentric DeBrier remained in Hollywood and literati circles throughout his life and was known for hosting salons with
creative locals in his Hollywood home. The bulk of the collection is correspondence sent to de Brier from 1954 to 1995.
creator:
DeBrier, Samson, -1995
Biography
Samson DeBrier was born on March 18, 1909 and grew up in New Jersey. He moved to Hollywood, where he worked as a silent film
actor, most notably in Alla Nazimova's
Salome (1923). During this time, he also lived in Paris and fell in with the literati circles after befriending Andre Gide. Being
independently wealthy from a real estate investment, DeBrier eventually settled in a Hollywood bungalow in the 1950s where
he remained for the rest of his life. He was known for hosting art salons at his home, attracting the likes of Jack Nicholson,
Anais Nin, Steve McQueen, Paul Mazursky, and Dorothy Parker, among others. In 1954, both DeBrier and his Hollywood bungalow
were featured in Kenneth Anger's
Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome. Samson DeBrier died on April 1, 1995.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Acquisition
The correspondence files in this collection were donated by Jean Ferro, September 13, 2006. The photograph file was donated
by Kenneth Anger, May 10, 1995. Donor and date of the remaining papers are unknown.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Samson DeBrier Papers, Coll2014-005, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama with assistance from Sean Wejebe, February 2014.
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises correspondence, notes, photographs, clippings, biographical material, and other personal papers,
1948-1995, of actor and artist Samson DeBrier. The bulk of the collection is correspondence, mostly Christmas cards, sent
to DeBrier from 1954 to 1995. Also included is one biographical file of photocopied articles and photographs documenting de
Brier throughout his life.
Arrangement
Correspondence is listed first. The remaining folders are arranged alphabetically.
Separated Materials note
Separated to the ONE periodicals collection:
Spartacus Magazine, No. 5 (November 1982).
Related Materials
Allan R. Ellenberger collection on Ramon Novarro, Coll2008-050, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Gay actors
Gay artists
Box 1, Folder 1-21
Correspondence
1954-1995
Physical Description:
[21 folders]
Box 2, Folder 2
Address books and other personal papers
1948-1973
Box 2, Folder 1
Biographical material
circa 1980-1995
Box 2, Folder 3
Business cards and contact information
circa 1950-1980
Box 2, Folder 5
Financial records
1966-1968
Box 2, Folder 6
Photographs and negatives
circa 1940-1970
General Physical Description note: 6 photographs and 2 negatives (b&w).
