Correspondence and papers concerning the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright
Overview
This collection mainly consists of correspondence and writings about the life and work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), but also includes some of his speeches, articles, and architectural specifications.
Dates
- Creation: 1934 - 2000
Creator
- Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Audio visual materials are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.
All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) before a planned visit; staff will respond within three days, though materials may not be available in that timeframe. Access to audio visual materials may require digitization first. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (4 document cases + 1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
The collection reflects the Wright connections of its various donors, including Curtis Besinger (1914-1999), and George M. Beal (1899-1988), architects who belonged to the Taliesin Fellowship; Elizabeth Gordon Norcross (1906-2000), the editor who promoted Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture in House Beautiful; and Kenny Pontius, who researched Wright's Usonian houses while studying architecture at the University of Kansas. Apart from correspondence with Olgivanna Lloyd Wright (died 1985) about family members and visits to Taliesin, the letters mainly concern researching and photographing houses designed by Wright.
Some of the manuscript and typescript writings about Wright's architecture are authors' drafts or fair copies, while others are notes, transcriptions or translations from publications. The House Beautiful material includes numerous preparatory memos and correspondence about articles, as well as a few pencil lay-out sketches and pieces of pen-and-ink artwork.
Arrangement
The collection has been organized into four main series, each of which may have several subseries. The series include
- Correspondence of Frank Lloyd Wright, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright and others at Taliesin
- Construction of Frank Lloyd Wright architectural designs
- Writings (and related correspondence) by and about Frank Lloyd Wright and Architecture
- Other House Beautiful material
Physical Location
MS 132
Physical Location
MS 355
Physical Location
MS Qa4
Physical Location
SC AV 29
Physical Location
A/V items at Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)
Other Finding Aids
ksrl.sc.wrightfranklloyd.pdf provides a detailed listing of the collection's contents at MS 132 and MS Qa4.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts: George M. Beal, Curtis Besinger, Elizabeth Gordon Norcross, Paul R. Hanna, Kenny Pontius, John Glinka, Thelma Helyar, 1972-1983, 1992-1994; James B. Taylor, 2004.
Separated Materials
Frank Lloyd Wright: Tracy House, 1954, Normandy Park, Washington. [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], [2003]. Produced by James B. Taylor, SeaRoads Video Productions.
Subject
- Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 (Person)
- Wright, Olgivanna Lloyd (Person)
- Besinger, Curtis (Person)
- Beal, George Malcolm, 1897- (Person)
- Norcross, Elizabeth Gordon, 1906-2000 (Person)
- Pontius, Kenny (Person)
- Taliesin Fellowship (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Frank Lloyd Wright Collection
- Subtitle
- Correspondence and papers concerning the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by ksc, 2007. Finding aid encoded by mab, 2007. Finding aid revised by mwh, 2019; mwh, 2020.
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/9726962516
- Preferred citation
-
Correspondence and papers concerning the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Department of Special Collections, MS 132, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository