Scope and Contents
Biography
Separated materials
Arrangement
Related Archival Materials
Preferred Citation
Access
Publication Rights
Processing Information
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Christian William (Bill) Miller photographs and papers
creator:
Miller, Christian William (Bill)
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-003
Physical Description:
49.2 Linear Feet
30 photograph binder boxes + 9 flat archive boxes + 6 records boxes + 3 archive cartons + 1 mapcase drawer.
Date (inclusive): 1886-1989
Abstract: The collection comprises the photographs, papers, and artwork created, inspired, or collected by Christian William Miller,
1886-1989. As an avid photographer and model, Miller moved through the New York gay social scene of the 1940s and 1950s, interacting
with noted gay artists. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs documenting this social life as well as his travels,
activities, family, and friends.
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises the photographs, papers, and artwork created, inspired, or otherwise collected by Christian William
Miller, 1886-1989. The photographs document his travels in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean; his beach and social life,
especially in and around Fire Island, New York; the Sunstone estate in Reading, Vermont; and St. Croix; nudes of Miller and
others; and general images of friends and family. Images include those of Gore Vidal, Monroe Wheeler, Glenway Wescott, and
Somerset Maugham. Formats include photographic prints, negatives, contact strips and sheets, and 35mm slides.
The papers consist of Miller's correspondence and personal papers. The bulk of the letters are between Miller and his mother,
but also comprise letters to friends and lovers, including correspondence with George Hoyningen-Huene, W.H. Auden, Glenway
Wescott, Paul Cadmus, Noel Coward, and George Gallowhur. The personal papers contain various documents pertaining to his family,
work, military service, modeling, education, and travel. The artwork consists primarily of Miller's drawings and sketches,
but also comprises pieces done with Miller as the subject, including a sculpture of his head.
Biography
Christian William Miller was born William Henry Miller on August 7, 1921, in Newark, New Jersey. Miller attended the Franklin
School of Professional Arts in New York City from 1938-1941, majoring in advertising design. From 1939-1941 he began his career
in design with stints at Datzenbach & Warren, Brunschwig & Fils, and Lord & Taylor. During the years 1942-1946, Miller was
enlisted in the United States Maritime Service Coast Guard Reserve. He was assigned to a research project in 1942 by the Air-Sea
Agency, helping to design a device to make sea water drinkable. Miller also designed an inflatable chair that is now in the
collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In May 1951, Miller officially changed his name to Christian William Miller.
Miller was known in the 1940's New York gay social scene as being one of the most beautiful men in the world. This status
made him the acquaintance, companion, and occasional model and muse of such luminaries as George Platt Lynes, Paul Cadmus,
W. H. Auden, Somerset Maugham, Alfred Kinsey, Glenway Wescott, Monroe Wheeler, Noel Coward, Philip Wheelwright, and George
Hoyningen-Huene. As an avid photographer himself, he extensively documented his social life and travels around the world.
Miller died on July 5, 1995.
Separated materials
Separated to the ONE Archives journal and pamphlet collections:
Athletic Model Guild, Bulletin 50 (February 1, 1956);
Colt catalog no. 4; and
Lover Boy, Issue 1.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series:
Related Archival Materials
Christian William Miller Papers. Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
Preferred Citation
Box #, folder #, Christian William (Bill) Miller photographs and papers, Coll2012-003, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives,
Los Angeles, California
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay
& Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).
Processing Information
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Collection processed by Phillip Garcia and Kyle Morgan, January 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay men -- New York (State) -- New York
Male models
Gay artists
Gays -- Travel
Miller, Christian William (Bill)