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Finding Aid to the Ken Burns Awards Collection, 1955-1998
Coll2014.023
Coll2014.023
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Title: Ken Burns awards collection
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.023
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 linear foot.
1 flat archive box.
Date (inclusive): 1955-1998
Abstract: Four awards, 1955-1998, given to Ken Burns, former President of the Mattachine Society during the 1950s. Included is a Mattachine
Society honorary membership plaque given to Burns in 1955.
creator:
Burns, Ken
Kennith H. Burns grew up in Southern California and briefly attended the University of Southern California before joining
the medical corps. After World War II, he began studying for the Episcopal priesthood, but left by the 1950s and was working
as an insurance adjuster. In the early 1950s, Burns became a member of the Mattachine Society in Los Angeles. He later became
chairman of the Coordinating Council in 1953, and oversaw numerous activities in Mattachine Society chapters in Los Angeles,
San Diego, and San Francisco.
By 1953, there was a growing schism between the Mattachine's members. In two conventions that year, the membership elected
a new slate of leaders including Burns, replacing founder Harry Hay and his followers. Burns was elected President of the
Mattachine Society, where he stayed for three years until conflict over the editorial content of the
Mattachine Review led him to resign from his office. His lover at the time, Dale Olson, resigned from the Mattachine as well.
Source:
Sears, James T.
Behind the Mask of the Mattachine: The Hal Call Chronicles and the Early Movement for Homosexual Emancipation. New York: Harrington Park Press, 2006.
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Collection acquired December 29, 2007, donor unknown.
[Box/folder #, or item name] Ken Burns Awards Collection, Coll2014-023, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California.
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, May 2014.
The collection comprises two award plaques, 1 inscribed plate, and 1 award certificate, 1955-1998, given to Ken Burns, former
President of the Mattachine Society during the 1950s. Included is a Mattachine Society honorary membership plaque given to
Burns in 1955.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Mattachine Society Project Collection, Coll2008-016, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Mattachine Society.
Gay activists
Plaques (flat objects)