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Powell (Lawrence Clark) papers
LSC.0229
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Description
Lawrence Clark Powell (1906-2001) joined the UCLA Library staff in 1938, became a UCLA Librarian (1944-61), director of the
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library (1944-66), and the first Dean of the UCLA School of Library Service (1960). A prolific
author, Powell's writings include books and articles on a variety of topics including literature, librarianship, the book
trade, California history, and travel. The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, galley proofs, photographs,
tape recordings, books, and printed materials by and about Lawrence Clark Powell.
Background
Powell was born September 3, 1906 in Washington, D.C.; his family moved to South Pasadena, California, 1910; BA, Occidental
College, 1928; Ph.D., University of Dijon, France, 1932; worked at Jake Zeitlin's bookstore in Los Angeles, mid-1930s; graduated
from library school, University of California at Berkeley, 1937; worked briefly at the Los Angeles Public Library; joined
the UCLA Library staff in 1938; UCLA Librarian, 1944-61, and director of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 1944-66; became the first Dean, UCLA School of Library
Service, 1960; when he retired from UCLA in 1966, the campus's main library was named in his honor; a prolific author, Powell's
writings include books and articles on a variety of topics including literature, librarianship, the book trade, California
history, and travel; professor-in-residence at the University of Arizona from 1971; awarded an Honorary Life Membership of
the American Library Association, 1981. Powell died in 2001.Lawrence Clark Powell was born in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 1906. His parents, G. Harold and Gertrude (Clark) Powell,
soon moved to Southern California, where Lawrence grew up. His early schooling was in South Pasadena, and he attended Occidental
College in Los Angeles, where he received a bachelor's degree in English in 1928. Moving to France for his graduate studies,
Lawrence Powell earned a Ph.D. at the University of Dijon in 1932, for work on Robinson Jeffers and his poetry. Soon after
his return to the United States, Dr. Powell married Fay Ellen Shoemaker; they have two sons.
Extent
105.5 Linear Feet
(211 boxes and 22 oversize boxes.)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
Open for research with the exception of boxes 137-227 which are restricted until 25 years following the death of Lawrence
Clark Powell. These materials will be open for research beginning March 14, 2026. All requests to access special collections
materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
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