Guide to the Edith Thurston Keyes Papers MS 216

Finding aid prepared by Alison Hennessey
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
May 7, 2012


Title: Edith Thurston Keyes Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 216
Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.75 Linear feet (2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1932-1956
Abstract: The collection contains works by poet Edith Thurston Keyes and her contemporaries, and press and correspondence regarding Keyes’ poetry activities.
creator: Keyes, Edith Thurston

Biographical / Historical Notes

Edith Thurston Keyes was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1875 of English and French Huguenot ancestry. She took post graduate courses in English Literature at the University of Minnesota. She was an active member of the Professional Readers Club of Washington D.C. as well as the National Indian Auxiliary, also in Washington. In 1948 she published two books written in prose form, The Twilight Trail and The Feather Flute. Keyes lived in San Diego for 48 years where she was an active member of the San Diego Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Joyous Crafters Poetry Society, San Diego Woman’s Club, Vice President from 1947-1948 of the San Diego Women’s Press Club, and the presiding officer of the Bungalow Literary Society in Balboa Park for 16 years. She died in 1969, with no known survivors.

Scope and Content

The collection contains papers of Edith Thurston Keyes including her poetry and poetry by her contemporaries. Loose scrapbook pages include correspondence, newspaper clippings and ephemera regarding Edith Thurston Keyes and other poets, as well as materials related to the groups and societies to which she belonged. Two handmade, cloth-covered scrapbooks of poetry given to Edith Thurston Keyes as gifts are also included in the collection.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Alison Hennessey on May 7, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Preferred Citation

Edith Thurston Keyes, MS 216, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by subject.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Bungalow Literary Society.
Campbell, Inez Arnold
Joyous Crafters Poetry Society.
Keyes, Edith Thurston
Murfey, Etta Josephean
National Indian Auxiliary.
National League of American Pen Women. San Diego Branch.
National League of American Pen Women.
Professional Readers Club of Washington D.C..
San Diego Woman's Club.
San Diego Women's Press Club.
Poetry
San Diego (Calif.)
The Feather Flute The Twilight Trail
Box-folder 1:1

Poetry by Edith Thurston Keyes, 1932 September and undated

Includes:

“The Poet’s Training,” “California Springtime,” and “Longing,” among other poems.
Box-folder 1:2

Scrapbook 1 (loose pages), 1948 November 18–1952 May 18 and undated

Box-folder 1:3

Scrapbook 2 (loose pages), 1950 June 9–1956 February 21 and undated

Box-folder 1:4

Scrapbook 3 (loose pages), 1941 November 4–1954 April and undated

Includes:

Letter from Edward H. Davis to Edith Thurston Keyes, thanking her for the book of poetry, June 24, 194?
Box-folder 1:5

The American Bard (journal), 1950 October-December

Includes:

Review of Edith Thurston Keyes’ book, "The Twilight Trail," by Etta Josephean Murfey (page 48)
Box-folder 1:6

Poetry by various authors, 1940 March and undated

Includes:

Poems by Frances MacFarland Bock, James Whitcomb Riley and Eugene Field, among others.
Box-folder 1:7

"Poems of Ships" scrapbook, 1952

Scope and Content

Inez Arnold Campbell handmade a scrapbook titled “Poems of Ships” for Edith Thurston Keyes in 1952. The scrapbook is a compilation of poems and illustrations relating to ships.
Box-folder 2:1

Christmas scrapbook, 1955 December

Scope and Content

Inez Arnold Campbell handmade a Christmas scrapbook for Edith Thurston Keyes in 1955. The scrapbook is a compilation of poetry and writings about the Christmas season and religion. The scrapbook includes illustrations.