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Steele (Wilbur Daniel) Papers
M0019
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Wilbur Daniel Steele papers
Creator:
Steele, Wilbur Daniel, 1886-1970
Identifier/Call Number: M0019
Identifier/Call Number: 1731
Physical Description:
7 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1907-1970
Abstract: Wilbur Daniel Steele (1886-1970) was an American author and playwright.
Open for research with the exception ofg accession 1989-109. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance
of intended use.
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. J. F. Jenners and Wilbur D. Steele, 1961, Peter Steele, 1988, David Jenness, 1989, and some additions from other
sources.
[Identification of item] Wilbur Daniel Steele Papers, M0019, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
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)
| 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. |
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.
Page from catalog record: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/4082749