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Ruth Reid and Kent Hyde Papers 1920-2001 LSC.1945
LSC.1945  
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Series 1: Ruth Reid: Works and Manuscripts circa 1934-1985

Scope and Content

Includes samples of Ruth Reid's published and unpublished work including journal entries, poetry, and two copies of her unfinished novel Dark Birth. Also contains a recorded interview with Reid in which she discusses her relationship with Kent Hyde and her writing, among other topics.

Organization and Arrangement

Materials arranged by type and in chronological order therein, with undated materials at the end.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.
Box 1, Folder 1

Women's View of the Contemporary World circa 1934-1973

Scope and Content

Journal entries spanning between 1934-1956 compiled into a work titled Women's View of the Contemporary World. Also includes photocopies of other short works handwritten and typed by Reid.
Box 1, Folder 2

Feminist Writers' Group circa 1973

Scope and Content

Various of Reid's writings from her time during the Feminist Writers' Group. Includes short stories, poetry and notes.
Box 1, Folder 3

"Kent and Ruth" 1985

Scope and Content

Published magazine article. Ruth's story of the night she met Kent in Berkeley with photos, excerpted from Ruth Reid's Dark Birth manuscript.
Box 1, Folders 4-5

Dark Birth manuscript undated

Scope and Content

Ruth Reid's unpublished Dark Birth manuscript. Marginal notes from the June L. Mazer collection suggest these photocopies were made in 1988.
Box 1, Folders 6-7

Dark Birth copy 2 undated

Scope and Content

Duplicate of Ruth Reid's Dark Birth manuscript. This copy was created in 2001 according to marginal notes that accompany the June L. Mazer collection.
Box 1, Folder 8

Dark Birth Notes undated

Scope and Content

Notes for Dark Birth.
Box 1, Folder 9

"Gertrude Stein: A Dialogue" undated

Scope and Content

Copy of an unpublished short story.
Box 2, Folders 1-2

Untitled manuscript undated

Scope and Content

Contains a photocopy of an annotated, untitled manuscript dedicated to Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 3

Ruth Reid Interview 1981

Scope and Content

Two audio cassettes documenting an interview with Ruth Reid conducted by two unnamed representatives of the June L. Mazer archive upon the donation of Ruth Reid's materials.

General note

The interview covers much of Reid's time with Hyde including her own sense of gender identity and the realities of "passing." It also covers her affair with Ruth 'Rudy' Babcock, her excitement about new-found lesbian community in Berkeley, and her writing.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.
 

Series 2: Kent Hyde: Works and Manuscripts circa 1926-1974

Scope and Content

Includes published and unpublished works by Kent Hyde, including a scrapbook, poetry, and excerpts of her unfinished novel.

Organization and Arrangement

Materials arranged in chronological order with undated materials at the end.
Box 2, Folder 4

Poetry and Translations circa 1926-1974

Scope and Content

Assorted drafts and final incarnations of poetry as well as translations of others' work by Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 5

Works as Miss Elizabeth Hyde circa 1928-1935

Scope and Content

Contained is a newspaper article article documenting Miss Elizabeth Hyde (Kent) and her job as a teenager, shoe shiner, and poet. Also contained are published poems under both the names Elizabeth and Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 6

"Stranger from the North" 1933 May 14

Scope and Content

"Stranger from the North" and other poems, unpublished by Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 7

Conceived in Liberty 1961

Scope and Content

Poetry collection titled Conceived in Liberty by Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 8

In the Presence of Mine Enemies undated

Scope and Content

Excerpts from unfinished and unpublished novel In the Presence of Mine Enemies by Kent Hyde.
Box 2, Folder 9

Miracle of Time undated

Scope and Content

Collection of poetry all aggregated under the title Miracle of Time by Kent Hyde.
 

Series 3: Ruth "Rudy" Babcock: Works and Manuscripts circa 1971-1977

Scope and Content

Contains Ruth "Rudy" Babcock's unpublished drawings, poetry, short stories, and other materials.

Organization and Arrangement

Materials arranged in chronological order with undated materials at the end.
Box 2, Folder 11

Drawings circa 1971-1973

Scope and Content

Included here are Ruth 'Rudy' Babcock's drawings made for Ruth Reid, some containing notes and letters.
Box 2, Folder 10

Poetry and Journal Entries circa 1973-1977

Scope and Content

Ruth 'Rudy' Babcock's poetry and journal entries, unpublished.
Box 2, Folder 12

Short Stories undated

Scope and Content

Short stories by Ruth 'Rudy' Babcock, unpublished.
 

Series 4: Correspondence circa 1942 - 1975 March 25

Scope and Content

Contains photocopies of correspondence to and from Ruth Reid and Kent Hyde (therein addressed as Ruth and Kent) to their family, friends, and professional acquaintances. These letters document Ruth and Kent's relationship, Ruth's affair with Ruth "Rudy" Babcock, Kent's illness and death, and other significant events in their lives. Folder titles reflect the familiarity and affection with which Ruth and Kent addressed their family and friends.

Organization and Arrangement

Ruth and Kent wrote simultaneously to several friends, relatives, and professional acquaintances. The first file in this series consists of such letters interfiled chronologically. Subsequent files are separated by correspondent and arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folders 1-4

Correspondence: Assorted letters circa 1942 - 1975 March 25

Scope and Content

Assorted materials, mostly correspondence to and from Ruth Reid and Kent Hyde and relatives, friends, and professional acquaintances. Also includes copies of letters between third parties, newspaper articles, a script written for Ruth "Rudy" Babcock and Betty "Biber," and poems, among other documents. Materials are arranged in chronological order, with undated materials at the end.
Correspondents include friends "Evelyn and Clayton," "Phyllis," "Marie," "Bernice," "Minnie," "Gertrude," "Blanche," "Adelaide," and "Toni," (last names unknown) as well as other friends and some business owners. The contents are separated into four folders as follows:
Folder 1: circa 1942 - 1952 December 8 Folder 2: 1953 January 13 - 1954 December 22 Folder 3: 1955 January 5 - 1959 December 14 Folder 4: 1960 January 28 - 1975 March 25
Box 3, Folder 5

Correspondence: Kent and Ruth to Thelma and Otto Bulk, 1951-1955 1946 December 13 - 1958 January 2

Scope and Content

Letters from Kent and Ruth to Thelma and Otto
Box 4, Box 3, Folders 6-8, Box 5, Folder 1

Correspondence: Kent and Ruth to Rudy and Biber 1950 January 1 - 1958 March 3

Scope and Content

Correspondence between Ruth Reid and Kent Hyde and Ruth 'Rudy' Babcock and Betty 'Biber.' Letters from and to Ruth and Kent are interfiled in chronological order with undated materials at the end, Rudy and Biber's letters distinguished by cursive font.
Folder 1: 1950 January 1 - 1956 January 25 Folder 2: 1955 March 31 - 1956 May 14 Folder 3: 1956 May 15 - 1956 December 10 Folder 4: 1956 January 2 - 1956 August 5 (annotations) Folder 5: 1956 August 5 - 1956 October 30 (annotations) Folder 6: 1956 November 4 - 1956 December 29 (annotations) Folder 7: 1957 January 22 - 1957 February 28 Folder 8: 1957 March 1 - 1957 April 30 Folder 9: 1957 May 1 - 1957 December 30 (annotations) Folder 10: 1957 May 1 - 1958 March 3
Box 5, Folder 2

Correspondence: Kent to Milly 1951 July 16 - 1962 May 23

Scope and Content

Letters from Kent to her cousin Millicent (referred to as Milly).
Box 5, Folders 3-4

Correspondence: Kent and Ruth to Flo 1948 July 26 - 1962 December 13

Scope and Content

Letters to Flo from Kent Hyde and Ruth Reid.
Box 5, Folders 5-7

Correspondence: Kent and Ruth to Tommy and Paul 1951 January 30 - 1969 July 24

Scope and Content

Letters from Ruth and Kent (written mostly by Kent) to friends Tommy and Paul who lived in Germany. Also includes translations of replies from Paul. The majority of these letters are addressed to either Tommy or Paul and were written concurrently. Correspondence is in chronological order, with letters to Tommy and Paul interfiled to reflect Ruth and Kent's concurrent correspondence with each.
Box 5, Folder 8

Correspondence: Ruth to Ivy Bulk, 1951-1955 1951 March 5 - 1973 April 20

Scope and Content

Letters from Ruth to her friend Ivy.