Rivinus, Jr., Edward F. (Second World War correspondence), 1944 August 16 - 2017 May 2, bulk 1943 August 16 - 1945 August 31

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Summary

Title:
Edward F. Rivinus Jr. Second World War correspondence
Dates:
1944 August 16 - 2017 May 2, bulk 1943 August 16 - 1945 August 31
Creators:
Rivinus, Edward Florens, Jr., 11/27/1915 -- 11/03/1998 and Rivinus, Andrew
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence and other materials sent by Maj. Edward "Ted" Rivinus, USA, to his wife Esther "Teddy" Rivinus while Edward was stationed in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War.
Containers:
box: WWII 109
folder: 1-4
folder: 1-4
box: WWII 110
folder: 1-10
folder: 5-14
Extent:
0.75 Linear feet (1 carton)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Edward Florens Rivinus, Jr. Second World War correspondence (2017.314.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence and other materials sent by Maj. Edward "Ted" Rivinus, USA to his wife Esther "Teddy" Rivinus while he was stationed in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War. Rivinus wrote letters almost every day, and many of them are packed with information about the North African campaign and his day to day life as an Army officer overseas. Upon his arrival with the artillery at Cassino in Italy, Rivinus writes of his increasing role in the warfare around him, for example his experiences of bombing raids in the middle of the night by German fighters and his experience with nearly being shelled in his foxhole on the beach at Anzio. He also frequently asks after his children, Martin and Nina, and writes about the exploits of his colleagues, Frazier, Ty, Si, and many others.

Biographical / historical:

Major Edward "Ted" Florens Rivinus, Jr., United States Army (11/27/1915 - 1998) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up and went to school in New England until an asthma condition forced his family to relocate him to Arizona to attend the Evans School for Boys, a prep school known as a haven for the wealthy east coast jet set. He attended Princeton University and enrolled in ROTC. Upon his graduation, he joined the 166th field artillery battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard. After the war, he worked as a Foreign Service officer and after his retirement, worked for the Smithsonian Institute. He died in a car crash in 1998.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Andrew Rivinus, the Edward F. Rivinus family
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.

  • Series 1, Correspondence from Edward Rivinus, Jr. to Esther Rivinus
  • Series 2, Correspondence to Esther Rivinus, various authors
  • Series 3, Correspondence to Edward Rivinus, Jr., various authors
  • Series 4, Correspondence from Edward Rivinus, Jr. to Mrs. Draper
  • Series 5, Correspondence to Edward Rivinus, Sr., various authors
  • Series 6, Clippings
  • Series 7, Publications
  • Series 8, Biographical information

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Lorraine Shaller
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-04-09 16:47:36 -0400 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Edward Florens Rivinus, Jr. Second World War correspondence (2017.314.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
Website