Collection Guide
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Foy (Mary Emily) Papers
mssFoy
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Mary Emily Foy papers
Creator:
Foy, Mary Emily, 1862-1962
Identifier/Call Number: mssFoy
Physical Description:
1.30 Linear Feet
(3 boxes, 1 envelope, 1 volume)
Date (inclusive): 1879-1966
Abstract: Mary Emily Foy was the first woman to become head librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library. This collection consists of
Foy's personal correspondence and papers from 1879 to 1957.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Mary Emily Foy papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Estate of Mary E. Foy, 1959.
Mary Emily Foy (1862-1958), Los Angeles community and education leader, and first woman to become head librarian at the Los
Angeles Public Library from 1880 to 1884, was a pioneer Los Angeles resident and the daughter of Los Angeles businessman Samuel
Calvert Foy (1830-1901). She was a member of Los Angeles cultural and historical organizations such as Ina Coolbrith Circle,
First Century Families (descendants of California pioneers), the Women's Democratic League, and the Ladies' Adams Street Women's
Investment Company.
The Mary Emily Foy papers consist of personal correspondence and papers from 1879 to 1966. It contains a significant amount
of material on the Foy family (including her father, Samuel Calvert Foy), and there is also correspondence from her sister,
Cora Foy. The collection also contains papers related to various organizations in which Mary Emily Foy was active, including:
the Democratic Party, First Century Families, Ina Coolbrith Circle, Ladies' Adams Street Women's Investment Company, Los Angeles
Women's Symphony Orchestra, and the Women's Democratic League. Of note in the collection is some correspondence and manuscripts,
including four poems by poet Ina Donna Coolbrith (1841-1928). There are also family photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera,
and a financial volume belonging to Mary Foy.
Processed by Gertrude Ruhnka, August 1, 1969. In 2020, Gina C Giang created a finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.
Arranged in the following series: 1. Personal and family papers, 2. Business papers, 3. Ina Coolbrith papers, 4. Correspondence,
5. Los Angeles Women's Orchestra, 6. Manuscripts and notes, 7. Photographs, 8. Political papers, 9. Ephemera, 10. Newspaper
clippings, 11. Postcards, 12. Financial volume.
Former call number: mssFoy papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women -- California
Women -- Societies and clubs -- California -- Los Angeles
California -- Politics and Government -- 1850-1950
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Family papers -- California -- 19th century
Family papers -- California -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Manuscripts -- 19th century
Manuscripts -- 20th century
Coolbrith, Ina D. (Ina Donna), 1841-1928
Foy, Cora
Foy, Samuel Calvert, 1830-1901
Democratic Party (U.S.)
First Century Families (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Ina Coolbrith Circle
Ladies' Adams Street Women's Investment Company (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Los Angeles Women's Symphony Orchestra (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Women's Democratic League