Inventory of the Elizabeth Elkus Papers, 1925-1994

Collection processed by Michelle Buchmeier; finding aid written by Michelle Buchmeier

Music Library

Hargrove Music Library

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California, 94720-6000

Phone: (510) 642-2623

Email: music_reference@berkeley.edu

URL: https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/music_library_archives

Inventory of the Elizabeth Elkus Papers, 1925-1994

Collection number: ARCHIVES ELKUS 2

The Music Library

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Contact Information

Hargrove Music Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-2623
Email: music_reference@berkeley.edu
URL: https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/music_library_archives

Collection Processed By:: Michelle Buchmeier
Finding Aid Created By: Michelle Buchmeier
Date Completed: July 1997; revised Jan. 1999
Revised By: Judy Tsou
Encoded By: James Lake and Xiuzhi Zhou; re-encoded programmatically by EAD Stylus

Descriptive Summary

Title: Elizabeth Elkus Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1925-1994

Collection number: ARCHIVES ELKUS 2

Creator: Elkus, Elizabeth Britton

Extent: Number of containers: 2 cartons (63 folders and 3 pamphlet boxes)

Repository: The Music Library

Berkeley, California 94720-6000

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Provenance

From the estate of Elizabeth Elkus. Given to the Music Library over a period of time (1994-present).

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Music Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Elizabeth Elkus Papers, ARCHIVES ELKUS 2, The Music Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Biography

Elizabeth Elkus (b. August 26, 1902; d. July 5, 1994) was born Florence Elizabeth Brittonin London, England. After her first fiancé died, she moved to the United Stateswhere she met and soon married Albert Elkus in 1929. She helped her husband shape themusical life of the Bay Area by hosting many musicians and by creating a hospitableatmosphere for young musicians, even after Albert's death in 1962. Elizabeth is mostremembered for befriending, housing, and aiding students when they first arrived inBerkeley, many of whom went on to achieve success in their respective fields. She and Albert have two sons--Jonathan and Benedict.

Scope and Content

Includes personal correspondence from and to Elizabeth Elkus, various articles on and byfriends of the Elkuses, photographs, date books, passports, and address books. There ismuch information on the UC Berkeley Music Department contained in the correspondence and other documents, and there are two historical recordings as well.

Related Collections

Title: Albert Israel Elkus Papers,

Identifier/Call Number: ARCHIVES MUSIC 1

Title: Albert Elkus Papers,

Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 73/18 c

Title: Jonathan Elkus Papers,

Identifier/Call Number: ARCHIVES ELKUS 3

SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

Scope and Content Note

Interviews, articles.

SERIES 2: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

Scope and Content Note

Mostly musicians, including well-known composers such as Arthur Bliss, Ernest Bloch and Nicola LeFanu.

SERIES 3: MUSIC DEPARTMENT

SERIES 4: OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

SERIES 5: MATERIALS RELATING TO ALBERT ELKUS

SERIES 6: MATERIALS RELATING TO FRIENDS

Scope and Content Note

Newspaper clippings, etc.

SERIES 7: SOUND RECORDINGS

SERIES 8: MISCELLANY

Scope and Content Note

Includes date books, travel documents, etc.

SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

Box Box 1 , Folder 1

Interviews

Folder 2

Memorials

Folder 3

Oral History

Folder 4

Photographs of Elizabeth Elkus

Folder 5

Condolence letters and cards received by Ethel Mattison on Elizabeth Elkus' death

Folder 6

A Britton family history prepared by Elizabeth Elkus and her sisters Helena and Ethel (photocopy of original typescript and manuscript)

SERIES 2: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

Box Box 1 , Folder 7

Abraham, Gerald and Pat

Folder 8

Blacking, John

Folder 9

Bliss, Sir Arthur and Trudy (1942-53) -- photocopies; the originals have been transferred to Cambridge University, Bliss Archives.

Folder 10

Bliss, Sir Arthur and Trudy (1946-81)

Folder 11

Bliss, Sir Arthur and Trudy (1981-97)

Folder 12

Bloch, Ernest

Folder 13

Bradshaw; Richard, Diana, Jenny, And James

Folder 14

Brett, Philip

Folder 15

Britton, George and Helena (Elizabeth's parents), I -- photocopies and transcriptions (typewritten); bound in two volumes. Includes a brief family history.

Folder 16

Britton, George and Helena (Elizabeth's parents), II -- see above.

Folder 17

"Correspondence Record" (log of correspondents)

Folder 18

Cowell, Sidney Robertson

Folder 19

Curtis, Alan, Julia, and Daria

Folder 20

Denny, William

Folder 21

Dewar, Muriel

Folder 22

Dixon, Daniel

Folder 23

Duckles, Madeline

Folder 24

Fox, Malcolm

Folder 25

Harris, Fred and Mary

Folder 26

Holoman, Kern

Folder 27

LeFanu, Nicola

Folder 28

Levine, Cornelia and Lawrence

Folder 29

Mack, Dana

Folder 30

Meikeljohn, Helen

Folder 31

Milhaud, Madeleine

Folder 32

Moroney, Davitt

Folder 33

Music Department

Folder 34

Olshauser, Detlev

Folder 35

Thompson, Meredith

Folder 36

Unidentified Correspondent

SERIES 3: MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Box Box 1 , Folder 37

Articles by and about EE's Friends in the Music Department

Folder 38

Articles on Music Department

Folder 39

Concert Programs

Folder 40

Miscellaneous

Folder 41

Thirty Years of Hertz Hall

SERIES 4: OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Scope and Content Note

These are organizations to which she had donated money or participated. These folders include pamphlets, letters, and other documents.

Box Box 1 , Folder 42

Ann Martin's Children's Center

Folder 43

Consumer's Cooperative of Berkeley

Folder 44

Friends of Madi Bacon

Folder 45

Gertrude Jones Memorial (Children's Hospital)

Folder 46

Kahn Foundation, I

Folder 47

Kahn Foundation, II

Box Box 2 , Folder 1

Kahn Foundation/Magnes Museum

Folder 2

Mills College

SERIES 5: MATERIAL RELATING TO ALBERT ELKUS

Box Box 2 , Folder 3

A.I.E. Biography

Folder 4

Albert Elkus Room Naming

SERIES 6: MATERIALS RELATING TO FRIENDS

Scope and Content Note

Newspaper Clippings, articles, etc

Box Box 2 , Folder 5

Bacon, Ernst and Madi

Folder 6

Elman, Mischa

Folder 7

Jenkins, David

Folder 8

Rosen, Jerome

Folder 9

Salz, Helen

Folder 10

Schneider, David

Folder 11

Sears, Christine

Folder 12

Weymouth, John M.

SERIES 7: SOUND RECORDINGS

Box Box 2 , Folder 13

Celebrating Albert Bender (cassette and article)

Folder 14

90th Birthday Salute to Rebecca Clarke Friskin -- reel-to-reel tape

SERIES 8: MISCELLANY

Box Box 2 , Folder 15

"Friends Who Called"

Folder 16

Miscellaneous

Folder 17

"The Peat Bog Soldiers"--sheet music

Folder 18

"Travel Documents"

pam Pam Box 1

Passports: 1925-1983

3 address books

1 Ration Book (1946)

pam Pam Box 2

Appointment Books: 1929, 1980-1988

pam Pam Box 3

Appointment Books: 1989-1994