Finding aid for the Elizabeth Corbett papers
0148
Finding aid prepared by Natalie Camacho
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2014 February
Title: Elizabeth Corbett papers
Collection number: 0148
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1952-1969
Abstract: Correspondence between novelist Elizabeth Corbett (b. 1887, Aurora, Ill., d. 1981, New York, NY) and Laura Burmeister; includes
typescript poems.
creator:
Burmeister, Laura E.
creator:
Corbett, Elizabeth Frances, 1887-
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Elizabeth Corbett papers, Collection no. 0148, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Acquisition
Gift of Laura Burmeister.
Biographical note
Elizabeth Corbett was born in Aurora, Illinois in 1887 and lived with her family in the Northwestern Branch of the National
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukeer. She was awarded a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1910,
where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Corbett wrote a series of popular historical or period novels. Her books were especially
popular among women. She died January 24, 1981 at age 93.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of writings by Elizabeth Corbett. It includes both correspondence between Corbett and servicemen
in Korea who advertised in newspapers requesting letters, and correspondence between Elizabeth Corbett and Laura E. Burmeister.
Many of these letters include poems by Corbett and newspaper clippings. The correspondence between Corbett and Burmeister
is generally about Corbett's daily life. She often makes references to the Model School, which both Corbett and Burmeister
attended. In addition to information about the lives of servicemen in Korea, this collection contains information about the
declining state of the newspaper business and newspaper strikes (1.22, 2.11) in the United States.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Burmeister, Laura E. -- Archives
Corbett, Elizabeth Frances, 1887- -- Archives
Authors, American--20th century--Archival resources
Clippings
Correspondence
Poems
Correspondence between Elizabeth Corbett and servicemen in Korea
Box 1, Folder 3
Soldiers' Appeal for Letters and Elizabeth Corbett's Response
1952 November 24
Scope and Content
A group of soldiers in Korea wrote to a newspaper asking for people to write them letters. Corbett responded describing what
they would do if they visited her apartment in Greenwich Village.
Box 1, Folder 4
Correspondence between Elizabeth Corbett and John M. Griffin
1952 December 8-1953 January 9
Scope and Content
Griffin's letter includes a brief history of his life, including his time in the merchant marine that began when he was 15.
Corbett's letter includes stories about what was going on at the time and about her neighbors.
Box 1, Folder 5
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Mr. Ceely
1952 December 10
Scope and Content
Corbett's response to an appeal for letters. It describes what they would do if Ceely visited her apartment in Greenwich Village.
Box 1, Folder 6
Correspondence between Elizabeth Corbett and Edward G. Ceely
1952 December 16-1953 January 12
Scope and Content
Ceely's letter includes biographical information about himself, including information on his service in the Air Force. He
describes his warehousing job on a Navy base on the Aleutian islands. Corbett's response addresses some of what Ceely wrote
about. She also writes about her holiday season in New York.
Photograph of Ceely enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 7
Marines' Appeal for Letters and Elizabeth Corbett's Response
1953 January 20
Scope and Content
A group of soldiers in Korea wrote to a newspaper asking for people to write them letters. Corbett responded with information
about herself and described what they would do if they visited her apartment in Greenwich Village.
Box 1, Folder 8
Letter from Phill Neeley to Elizabeth Corbett
1953 January 22
Scope and Content
The letter includes information about Neeley's life before the war.
Box 1, Folder 9
Correspondence betweeen Elizabeth Corbett and Bill Rice
1953 May 17-November 23
Scope and Content
Rice writes about a letter from Corbett that he read that was not addressed to him. He writes that he was interested in Corbett's
writing because he also wrote sometimes. He tells of the uneasiness that the servicemen feel and that letters are the only
link they have between where they are and home. Corbett's response tells of the different events going on in her life at the
time.
Box 1, Folder 10
Letter from Richard D. Treadwell to Elizabeth Corbett
1953 August 28
Scope and Content
Treadwell writes about his aspirations of becoming a writer. He studied Journalism for two years until he had to go to Korea.
Photographs from Korea enclosed.
Correspondence between Elizabeth Corbett and Laura E. Burmeister
Box 1, Folder 11
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1960 August 29
Scope and Content
The letter includes Corbett's response about the two of them planning to meet. Corbett writes a bit about where she lives.
Box 1, Folder 12
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1961 February 5
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about some of the women they knew growing up and about living in New York.
Box 1, Folder 13
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1961 March 20
Scope and Content
Corbett provides information about the Model School, which both she and Burmeister attended, and about some of the children
who also attended it. She mentions her new novel, Hidden Island.
Poem "For Your Easter" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 14
Letter/poem from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1961 December
Scope and Content
Holiday poem.
Box 1, Folder 15
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1962 January 10
Scope and Content
Corbett expresses her distaste for political correctness.
Newspaper clipping "Through My Bi-Focals" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 16
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1962 March 15
Scope and Content
Corbett mentions the article that she wrote for The Writer (1.2). She analyzes lines from poems and books she had to read
in school. She talks about her grandfather who was adopted into the Oenida tribe.
Poems "Domestic Crisis," "Epitaph," and "Lenten Interlude" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 17
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1962 April 14
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about someone she went to school with.
Poem "All My Best to You" and newspaper clippings "Historic Homes Thrill Retirees" and "Mildred Lindsay No Social Butterfly"
enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 18
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1962 July 12
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about news that her brother passed on to her about his grandson's high school graduation. She mentions that
her new novel The Paige Girls had been published the previous month.
Poems "Continuity," "My Complaints," and "My Prospects" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 19
Poem by Elizabeth Corbett with note addressed to Laura E. Burmeister
1962 Decemeber 6
Scope and Content
Poem "Compliments of the Season."
Box 1, Folder 20
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 February 5
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about going through the papers that have accumulated in her home over the years. She says that the newspaper
strike makes it difficult for her to keep up with public news.
Box 1, Folder 21
Easter holiday card from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 April 9
Box 1, Folder 22
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 April 16
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about how writing books has changed with technology. She writes that the newspaper strike has ended.
Poems "Invocation" and "Today's Concession" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 23
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 September 9
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about fan letters and her neighbors. She mentions that she had a new novel, The Heart of the Village, published
earlier that year.
Box 1, Folder 24
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 October 2
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about a World Series game that occurred on that day and about her birthday celebrations. She mentions that
she has enclosed letters from servicemen and copies of her responses to them.
Box 1, Folder 25
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 November 9
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about some of her and Burmeister's former classmates. She writes about the recent events in her life and talks
about the decline in the number of newspapers and magazines in New York.
Box 1, Folder 26
Poem by Elizabeth Corbett with note to Laura E. Burmeister
1963 December 14
Scope and Content
Poem "Yuletide."
Box 1, Folder 27
Poem and note from Elizabeth Corbett
1964
Scope and Content
Poem "It's Coming!"
Box 1, Folder 28
Postcard from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1964 June 25
Scope and Content
Coliseum, New York, New York.
Box 1, Folder 29
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1964 July 2
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about her and Burmeister's recent events. She mentions that her newest book, Lisa Kennerley's Husband, was
just published earlier that year.
Poems "De Senectute" and "Answering THOSE Questions" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 30
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1964 October 7
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about the publishing of her most recent book, "Anniversary." She writes about the death of her brother. She
mentions that her apartment was burglarized and that her typewriter was stolen. She writes about the World Series and the
presidential campaigns.
Poem "A Case History" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 31
Empty envelope addressed from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1964 December 8
Box 1, Folder 32
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1965 April 28
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about Burmeister's possible publication of her written works. She says that her own book, The Continuing City,
is due to be released that week. She writes about her new television set.
Box 1, Folder 33
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1965 July 10
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about an obituary for Burmeister's friend, Robert Ruark. Ruark was a writer. She writes about a macaw that
belongs to her neighbors.
Newspaper clippings "More Quotations From Trove of Memories" and "Columnist Robert Ruark, 'Last Safari' Ends at 49" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 34
Postcard from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1965 October 11
Scope and Content
Corbett denies writing a magazine article and says that she has a new book that will be published.
Washington Mews, Greenwich Village, New York, New York.
Box 1, Folder 35
Poem by Elizabeth Corbett with note to Laura E. Burmeister
1965 December 2
Scope and Content
Poem "Holiday Greetings."
Box 1, Folder 36
Poem by Elizabeth Corbett with note to Laura E. Burmeister
1966
Scope and Content
Poem "Which Holiday?"
Box 1, Folder 37
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1966 May 9
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about the recent newspaper strikes and the closing of the New York Herald Tribune. She mentions the record-breaking
cold weather.
Box 1, Folder 38
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1966 May 26
Scope and Content
Corbett writes that the New York Journal American has ceased publication.
Box 1, Folder 39
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1966 September 12
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about the origins of last names and about recent events in her life, such as a visit from her nephew.
Box 1, Folder 40
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1967 May 8
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about events in her life and about mutual friends. She mentions the newspaper collapse in New York.
Poem "To the Comrades" enclosed.
Box 1, Folder 41
Newspaper clipping with note from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1967 August 15
Scope and Content
Newspaper article "Pigeons Are for the Birds."
Box 1, Folder 42
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1967 October 2
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about her newest book, Harry Martin's Wife, and about her eightieth birthday party.
Box 1, Folder 43
Poem by Elizabeth Corbett with note to Laura E. Burmeister
1967 December 6
Scope and Content
Poem "Again!"
Box 1, Folder 44
Empty envelope addressed from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 May 7
Box 1, Folder 45
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 July 5
Scope and Content
Corbett responds to a letter from Burmeister and writes about people she knows in Philidelphia. She mentions her books The
Distant Princess and In Miss Armstrong's Room.
Box 1, Folder 46
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 October 4
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about her new book, Ladies' Day. She writes about her familiarity with panhellenic organizations as she was
in Alpha Gamma Delta and was a panhellenic delegate for some time.
Box 1, Folder 47
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 Novmeber 18
Scope and Content
Corbett writes that her books are sometimes criticized because "they are about decent people." She writes about her Thanksgiving
celebrations and dinner.
Box 1, Folder 48
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 December 26
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about a poem that Burmeister wrote and about a childhood "green Christmas."
Box 1, Folder 49
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1968 December 30
Scope and Content
Corbett writes about wrapping up her affairs for the end of the year.
Box 1, Folder 50
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1969 April 9
Scope and Content
Corbett makes a reference to a an autograph from Charles L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) that she gave to her nephew. She writes
about recent events in her life, including Easter and her goddaughter's upcoming wedding.
Box 1, Folder 51
Letter from Elizabeth Corbett to Laura E. Burmeister
1969 May 6
Scope and Content
Corbett writes to Burmeister about Emmy Sonnemann-Goering, wife of Hermann Goering. She includes a quote about her from Louis
Lochner's translation of The Goebbels Diaries. She writes about the difficulties of starting a new novel.
Box 1, Folder 1
Notes from Laura E. Burmeister re Corbett collection
Scope and Content
Notes about the collection.
Box 1, Folder 52
On the News Stand
March 24
Scope and Content
This appears to be a game similar to a crossword puzzle where one is given a theme and a series of clues. The person must
find a connection between the clue given and the theme. In this case, the theme is "On the News Stand," alluding to newspapers
and magazines. For example, when given the clue "One Hundred Years," the person playing the game answered "Century."
Box 1, Folder 2
The Writer
1962 March
Scope and Content
The Writer is a monthly literary magazine founded in Massachusetts in 1887. It publishes articles that could be of interest
and help to writers of different levels. The March 1962 issue includes articles by Elizabeth Corbett and Betty Friedan.