American drama -- 20th century

Lowell Brentano (1895-1950) was a publisher, playwright, novelist, editor, literary agent, and frequent collaborator with his wife, Frances Hyams Brentano and many others in the literary world. The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts by Lowell and also Francis Brentano, tearsheets, copyright and registration material, court records, publisher and author permissions, reviews, biographical material, memorabilia, and a scrapbook.

Ralph E. Dyar (1885-1955) was an author and playwright who also worked for and wrote about newspapers and newspaper promotion and research. The collection contains literary manuscripts, correspondence, and the working files for the book, News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field it Serves.

Jacquin "Jack" Lait was a newspaper reporter and theater critic for the Chicago Herald, and also a writer of short stories, plays, and novels. The collection contains literary manuscripts, illustrations, correspondence, and memorabilia.

Matthew "Matt" Ambrose Taylor (1897-1966) was a reporter, writer, and script writer of short fiction, plays, and detective stories, many of which were adapted for radio, TV, or movies. The collection contains published and unpublished short stories, plays, radio and television scripts, and correspondence.