Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Earl Lowry papers, 1869-1975; bulk 1925-1975
PASC-M 81  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
Musical scores, primarily modern piano compostions, collected by Earl Lowry, as well as correspondence, handwritten notes, catalogs, programs, and some personal and family material.
Background
Earl H. Lowry was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Enoch and Anetta (Anna) Lowry on February 26, 1899. While performing in Pittsburgh orchestras, he met and married Jessie Richardson, and the couple moved to Denver, Colorado sometime around 1920-1921. Census and city directory records from the time list Lowry's occupation as musician in the theater industry. Earl and Jessie had two children while in Denver: John Rowland (Jack), born in 1921, and Norma, born in 1929. Eventually the family moved to Los Angeles, California, where Earl continued to find work as a pianist, accompanying British entertainer Gracie Fields, and joining the Theatre Mart as Music Director toward the end of its long-running production "The Drunkard." He corresponded avidly with composers and music publishers throughout the 1940s-1960s, amassing a large collection of music scores. Jessie Lowry held a variety of secretarial jobs throughout her life before retiring in 1965. After Jessie's death in 1970, Earl spent most of his time in Los Angeles libraries compiling exhaustive lists of composers and authors, reflecting his strong interests in music and literature. Earl Lowry died in Los Angeles in 1976.
Extent
8.5 linear ft. (12 boxes, 8 flat boxes, 1 oversize flat box)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.