Wilbur Daniel Steele papers, 1907-1970

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Summary

Creators:
Steele, Wilbur Daniel, 1886-1970
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence and various manuscripts of American author and playwright Wilbur Daniel Steele (1886-1970).
Extent:
8.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Wilbur Daniel Steele Papers (M0019). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes correspondence, chiefly letters by Steele to various members of his family, manuscripts of numerous short stories, plays and novels, three etchings done by Steele, 1908, the privately printed story, "A Life," publishers agreements, photographs, press releases, clippings and other papers.

Biographical / historical:

Author Wilbur Daniel Steele was born in 1886 in Greensboro, N.C. His father became Professor in the School of Theology at the University of Denver in 1893 where Wilbur D. Steele had his early education and later won a two year scholarship where he was active in athletics. His love of art brought him to Boston where he attended the school of fine arts attached to the Boston Museum. He showed great promise in art, but began to write short stories.

In 1913 he married Margaret Thurston who was a talented painter. They had two sons. In 1931 Mrs. Steele died. In 1932 he married Norma Mitchell, an actress and playwright with whom he collaborated on several plays. They make their home at Lynne, Connecticut where they still reside.

He was several times winner of the coveted O. Henry Short Story Prize. He traveled widely in Africa and Europe, basing many of his stories from various places he lived or visited.

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA (biographical sketch written by W.D. Steele)

Missing Title
Date Event
1886
Born Mar. 17, Greensboro, N.C. (of damyankee parents).
1890-1892
Binney's Compend of Theology.
1893-1907
Grade, Prep & College (A.B.), University Park, Denver. Letters in 5 sports, captain in 2.
1907-1908
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
1908-1909
Paris, various art courses - began writing there & in Italy.
1909-1920
Provincetown, Mass. Co-founder of Provincetown Players. Married Margaret Thurston, 1913 - sons, Thurston, `15, Peter, `18 - and during this period, following breaks.
1917
Travel (for Harpers magazine) in lesser Antilles & Demarara.
1918
Correspondent, attached to Navy, for Cosmopolitan Mag., Eng., Ireland & France.
1919-1920
Bermuda
1920-1922
North Africa (for Harpers) Riviera & England.
1922
Removed from Provincetown to Nantucket - resided there until 1929
1922-1923
So. Norwalk, Conn. 1923-4, France 1924-5, Westport, Conn. 1925-6, Switzerland 1926-7 & 1927-8, Charleston, S.C. (There's a winter missing, be dogged if I know where.)
1929
Removed from Nantucket. 29-31, Chapel Hill, N.C. Wife, Margaret, died there.
1932
Married Norma Mitchell (actress & playwright) in London -- removed to her home (then new) in country neighboring Lyme, Conn. Resided there ever since. With following breaks: winters: 1932-33 & 1933-4, Hollywood (very sad) 1934-5, 1935-6, 1938-9, N.Y.C. 1939-40, Hollywood (still sadder). 1944, I made extended trip around South America, flying.
Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. J. F. Jenners and Wilbur D. Steele, 1961, Peter Steele, 1988, David Jenness, 1989, and some additions from other sources.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Wilbur Daniel Steele Papers (M0019). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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