Dorothy Parker collection, 1961-2000

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Summary

Creators:
Parker, Dorothy, 1893-1967
Abstract:
A small collection of material related to American writer and satirist, Dorothy Parker.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Dorothy Parker collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The material in this collection was collected by Dr. Donald Dewey as research for an article about Dorothy Parker and Christopher Isherwood; the material includes two main groups: correspondence and files from 1961 to 1963 and interviews conducted in 1999 to 2000. The first group of material includes correspondence and college files relating to Dorothy Parker's teaching tenure at California State College, Los Angeles (1961 to 1963); this material also includes a 1961 affidavit by Parker swearing she was never a member of the Communist Party and a letter from an angry citizen protesting the college hiring a "known Communist." The second group of material consists of written reports of interviews Dr. Dewey conducted in 1999 to 2000 with former students of Parker's including the poet Michael S. Harper and the photographer Stathis Orphanos. These interviews covered what Parker was like as a teacher and person and what were the strongest memories they had of her teaching. Some of the interviewees also took classes taught by Christopher Isherwood so there are a few interviews which include memories of his classes and teaching.

Biographical / historical:

Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) was an American poet, short story writer, critic, and satirist, best known for her wit and wisecracks. Donald Odell Dewey (1930-) is an American author, academic administrator and Dean; he was a professor and Dean at Cal State University Los Angeles, from 1962 to 1996.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of Dr. Donald Dewey, December 1999, December 2000, and June 2002.
Processing information:

Processed by Gayle M. Richardson in 2000; in April 2024, a finding aid was created.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Dorothy Parker collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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