Scope and Contents note
The Ruth Langland Holberg Papers consist of diaries, journals, correspondence, manuscripts, published material, research material, financial information, photographs and several books. Correspondence, spanning sixty-six years, from 1911 to 1977, is both personal and professional in nature and is arranged chronologically. The diaries are descriptive and reflective and contain entries by both Ruth and Richard Holberg. Of note is a "consciousness" journal written by Ruth Holberg. There is evidence that she may have been preparing this journal for publication or for submission to the Theosophical Society. It provides great insight into Holberg's inner feelings, aspirations and motivations.
Manuscripts consist of novels (some of which have been revised a half dozen times), short stories and poetry. Each segment is arranged alphabetically by title. Notes within the research material series tend to correspond to titles of Holberg's stories and document Holberg's factual presentation of places and time periods in her stories.
Financial material consists of payment notebooks, contracts and royalty statements. Contracts and royalties are arranged alphabetically by publisher. The remainder of the collection includes two of Ruth Holberg's sketchbooks, some dust jackets for her books, collected printed matter, memorabilia, and books. The packages contain oversize sketches and two records of Holberg's stories being read. Included are Eighty-six (86) photographs of Holberg, her family and friends.
Dates
- 1911-1977
Creator
- Holberg, Ruth Langland, 1889-1984 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
For over fifty years, Ruth Langland Holberg delighted children with the books she wrote for them. She was born on February 2, 1889, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ida Langland. She married commercial artist and illustrator, Richard A. Holberg, in 1912. Living in Rockport, Massachusetts, the couple collaborated on a number of children's books, with Ruth Holberg writing and Richard Holberg illustrating.
After battling a serious illness for over two years, Richard Holberg died in 1942. Ruth Holberg continued to write until her death at 95 on April 13, 1984 In addition to her children's stories, Holberg also wrote poetry. She was a regular contributor to the New York Sun and such magazines as Scribners, Saturday Review and Nation. Holberg was also the author of two cookbooks. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women (1975-1976); Dictionary of International Biography (1974); Contemporary Authors (1970); and the Dictionary of British and American Writers (1974); among others.
Extent
12 linear feet (25 containers, 2 packages, 5 volumes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Ruth Langland Holberg was an author of books for young people, many of which were illustrated by her husband, Richard A. Holberg. Collection comprises diaries; correspondence; manuscripts of novels, short stories, poetry, and radio scripts; research material; financial material; and copies of her published works.
Arrangement note
The collection is organized into the following series: MiscellaneousCorrespondenceManuscriptsPublished MaterialPhotographs
Processing Information note
Collection processed by Dee Southard, Manuscripts Processor.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Children and Youth Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Children's literature -- Authorship Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Holberg, Richard A., 1889-1942
- Holberg, Ruth Langland, 1889-1984
- Literature Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Women Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Women authors, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young adult fiction, American -- Authorship Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Ruth Langland Holberg papers
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Dee Southard, Manuscripts Processor
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
