Guide to the Thomas Albert Curry, Sr. Papers
1918-1933

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Curry, Thomas Albert
Title: Thomas A. Curry, Sr. Papers
Dates: 1918-1933 ( inclusive )
Quantity: 1 linear feet (2 containers)
Collection Number: Ax 315
Summary: Thomas Albert Curry was the private secretary of famed theater producer David Belasco (1853-1931) from 1914 to 1931. Curry's papers contain articles, drafts and notes dealing with the life and career of Belasco. Correspondence to and from Belasco are also included, as well as numerous mementos relating to the producer.
Repository: University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives

1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html

Languages: Collection materials written in English. 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical Note

Thomas Albert Curry (dates unknown) was a writer and, from 1914 to 1931, private secretary to famed theater producer David Belasco (1853-1931). Curry was born in Hartford, Connecticut and was involved in the theater as a young man. After his marriage in 1893 he worked as a reporter and in advertising. He returned to the theater in 1913 when he submitted a play to several producers, including Belasco. Belasco liked the play enough to work on the script with Curry. After the death of Belasco's private secretary, he offered the position to Curry. Curry accepted and remained Belasco's secretary until the producer's death. Thomas Curry's son Thomas Albert Curry, Jr. (1900-1976) was a prominent writer of adventure stories and novels.

Content Description

The Thomas A. Curry Papers contains several items related to Curry's tenure as secretary to famed producer David Belasco. There are numerous articles and drafts of articles about the life and career of Belasco and his associates. There is also draft material for an additional volume to William Winter's Life of David Belasco which was originally published in two volumes covering Belasco's life up to 1917. This volume, the work of Winter's son Jefferson Winter was either published for a very limited distribution or never at all. There are correspondence from Belasco and to Belasco and Curry from numerous associates including Ruth Dayton, W. Somerset Maugham and Lenore Ulric. There are other mementos including Curry's address book, used in conducting business for Belasco. Portraits have been removed to the library's photgraphic collection.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use :  

Property rights reside with Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the Manuscripts Librarian in Special Collections & University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation :  

[Identification of item], Thomas A. Curry, Sr. Papers, Ax 315, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.

Administrative Information

Separated Materials :  

Photographs in this collection are stored separately under call number PH113.


Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Box
Folder
1 1 Articles on Belasco - 1 ("Presenting David Belasco" mss)
1 2 Articles on Belasco - 2 (including "Presenting David Belasco" mss)
1 3 Articles on Belasco - 3
1 4 David Belasco - Correspondence Received
1 5 David Belasco - Cards and Miscellaneous
1 6 The Life of David Belasco, Vol. III by Jefferson Winter (manuscript material and images for illustrations and captions, not published)
1 7 Notes and Drafts for The Life of David Belasco, Vol. III by Jefferson Winter
2 1 The Life of David Belasco, Vol. III - front matter and manuscript draft material
2 2 David Belasco Mementos
2 3 Address Book

Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

  • Personal Names :
  • Belasco, David, 1853-1931
  • Curry, Thomas Albert--Archives
  • Dayton, Ruth--Correspondence
  • Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset), 1874-1965--Correspondence
  • Ulric, Lenore, 1892-1970--Correspondence
  • Winter, William, 1836-1917
  • Subject Terms :
  • Theater--United States
  • Theatrical producers and directors--United States

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