mss0212.xml Finding aid for Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn 1903–1931 University of Delaware Library, Special Collections University of Delaware Library
Special Collections Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Date encoded (2006 June 12) Finding aid encoded 2006 June 12 English Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn 1903–1931 Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
 Robinson, Lennox, 1886-1958. Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn 1903–1931 MSS 212 .3 linear ft. (136 items) The Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn consist of editorial correspondence, transcripts of letters, and other manuscripts and material toward a proposed two-volume edition of letters written to the New York lawyer, patron of the arts, and collector John Quinn by Irish playwright, manager, producer, director, and editor Lennox Robinson. Materials entirely in English. University of Delaware Library - Special Collections Source

Purchase, 1989.

 Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

 Citation

MSS 212, Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

 Shelving Summary Boxes 1-2: Shelved in SPEC MSS manuscript boxes Processing

Processed by Anita A. Wellner, April 1991. Encoded by Debra Johnson, 2007.

 Biographical Note

Irish playwright, manager, producer, director, and editor Lennox Robinson was born in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland, on October 4, 1886. He died on October 14, 1958, and was buried at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland.

The Clancy Name, Robinson's first play, appeared at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, in 1908. A year later Irish playwrights William Butler Yeats and Lady Gregory appointed him producer and manager of the Abbey Theatre. He served in this capacity until 1914 and later resumed the positions from 1919 to 1923. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Abbey until his death in 1958. While serving Abbey Theatre he was responsible for opening the Peacock Theatre in 1925 and for creating the Abbey School of Acting in 1926.

In the early 1930s, Robinson was a guest producer and lecturer at several American educational institutions, including State University of Montana, Amherst College, University of Michigan, and Carnegie Institute of Technology. Robinson was chosen in 1932 as an academician of the Irish Academy of Letters.

Robinson wrote a number of dramatic plays, including "The Whiteheaded Boy" (which garnered international praise in 1916), "The Round Table" (1922), "Crabbed Youth and Age" (1922),"Never the Time and the Place" (1924), "Patriots" (1912), "Portrait" (1926), "Ever the Twain" (1930), and "Church Street" (1935). Many of Robinson's plays influenced other early twentieth-century Irish dramatists. Ronald G. Hoover in the Dictionary of Literary Biography notes that Lennox Robinson created many of the trends in the Irish theater during the first half of the twentieth century.

Robinson edited a number of books, including A Golden Treasury of Irish Verse, Poems by Thomas Parnell, A Little Anthology of Modern Irish Verse, The Irish Theatre, Lady Gregory's Journals 1916-1930, and The Oxford Book of Irish Verse.

Hoover, Ronald G. "Lennox Robinson." Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 10: Modern British Dramatists, 1940-1945. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1982. p. 116-121. Contemporary Authors. Volume 120. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1987. p. 309-310.

Scope and Content Note

Spanning the dates 1903–1931, the Lennox Robinson papers related to John Quinn consist of editorial correspondence, transcripts of letters, and other manuscripts and material toward a proposed two-volume edition of letters written to the New York lawyer, patron of the arts, and collector John Quinn. The project was undertaken at the behest of Quinn's sister, Mrs. Julia Quinn Anderson, who wished for a selection of Quinn's correspondence to be published, with letters "touching lightly upon his career at the Bar and laying stress upon his friendships with Irish men and women, English and French as well, who were distinguished in the Arts." (F27). Acting on behalf of Mrs. Anderson, New York lawyer Cornelius J. Sullivan contracted Lennox Robinson to select and edit the letters to Quinn from thirteen volumes of his correspondence that were to be deposited with his other papers in the New York Public Library.

The correspondence between Sullivan and Robinson found in F30 reveals the plans for the project and tracks the progress Robinson made in securing permissions to publish the letters from the original correspondents. Sullivan wrote, "It is my thought there will be two volumes of the letters, to be issued in a limited edition of approximately 750 copes. MacMillan will probably have charge of the publication, but Rudge, our best bookmaker, will do the printing and binding." Accordingly, Robinson planned the first volume to include letters from Jack B. Yeats (who first introduced Quinn to many Irish friends) and Irish writers; the second volume was to include letters to Quinn from English writers, English and French artists, and James Joyce and John B. Yeats. Each group of letters was to be preceded by a short biographical note on the correspondent.

The collection is arranged in two series: I. Correspondence and Transcripts, and II. Editorial matter and Manuscripts.

The correspondence in series I. comprises letters between Lennox Robinson and various Irish and European literary figures, artists, or their estates, with transcripts of their letters to Quinn. Robinson sought permission to publish and solicited approval of the selected letters; the transcripts often bear editorial notes and corrections by the original authors of the letters. Also included are introductory notes or essays concerning the correspondents and their relationships to John Quinn. Although some of these essays were by the original correspondent, most were written by Robinson.

Series II. contains editorial and manuscript material toward the project, including a folder of correspondence between Sullivan and Robinson that documents progress from the initial contracting of Robinson in 1930 through 1931, when the project evidently failed. A telegram dating March 23, 1931, reads "… writing M[a]cMillan won't undertake publication … ." The manuscripts in the second series include a table of contents for the two volumes, an index, an introduction, and two essays written by Robinson titled "John Quinn Among Artists" and "Other Irish Friends."

 Arrangement Note

Collection is arranged in two series: I. Correspondence and Transcripts, 1903-1930; and II. Editorial matter and Manuscripts, 1930-1931.

 Selected Search Terms Personal Names Quinn, John, 1870-1924.Robinson, Lennox, 1886-1958--Correspondence.Sullivan, Cornelius J.--Correspondence. Topical Terms English literature--20th century--History and criticism.English literature--Irish authors--20th century--History and criticism. Literary patrons--Ireland--History--20th century--Sources. Publishers and publishing--Ireland--History--20th century--Sources. Form/Genre Terms Correspondence. Manuscripts. Transcripts. Occupation Patrons. Editors. Personal Contributors Sullivan, Cornelius J., correspondent. Detailed Contents List Series I. Correspondence and Transcripts 1903–1930

Includes correspondence from various Irish and European literary figures or artists to Lennox Robinson concerning the inclusion of their correspondence with John Quinn in an edition that Robinson was compiling. Also included are the transcripts of selections of their letters to John Quinn. Occasionally introductions to a particular writer's letters to Quinn are included.

 1 F1 Brancusi, Constanti1916–1923 1 item (21 p.)

Includes a transcript of eight letters from Brancusi to Quinn (1916–1923). The transcript bears autograph corrections and a cover sheet.

 1 F2 Casement, Roger, Sir1914–1915 2 items (36 p.)

Includes a transcript of thirteen letters from Casement to Quinn (1914–1915) and an introduction to the chapter on Casement and Quinn as written by Lennox Robinson.

 1 F3 Colum, Padraic1916–1930 4 items (8 p.)

Includes one letter from Colum to Robinson (September 24, 1930), a carbon of a letter from Robinson to Colum (October 16, 1930), and a transcript of two letters from Colum to Quinn (1916). The cover of the transcript bears Robinson's autograph note: "approved by Padraic."

 1 F4 Conrad, Joseph1912–1930 22 items (61 p.)

Includes a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Mrs. Joseph Conrad (September 16, 1930), a letter from James B. Pinker & Sons to Robinson (October 3, 1930), a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Pinker (October 16, 1930), a transcript of eighteen letters from Conrad to Quinn (1912–1920), and an introduction to the Joseph Conrad chapter, written by Robinson. The introduction bears Robinson's autograph revisions and the cover bears the autograph note by Robinson: "corrected by Pinker."

 1 F5 Craig, Edward Gordon1930 22 items (61 p.)

Includes a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Mrs. Joseph Conrad (September 16, 1930), a letter from James B. Pinker & Sons to Robinson (October 3, 1930), a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Pinker (October 16, 1930), a transcript of eighteen letters from Conrad to Quinn (1912–1920), and an introduction to the Joseph Conrad chapter, written by Robinson. The introduction bears Robinson's autograph revisions and the cover bears the autograph note by Robinson: "corrected by Pinker."

 1 F6 Dunoyer de Segonzac1918–1930 4 items (16 p.)

Includes a letter from Dunoyer de Segonzac to Robinson (December 3, 1930) with an enclosed statement about John Quinn (2 p.), a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Dunoyer de Segonzac (December 5, 1930), and a transcript of two letters from Dunoyer de Segonzac to Quinn (1918–1922). The cover of the transcript bears the autograph note written by Robinson: "corrected by A. D. de S., 1st letter not omitted by de S."

 1 F7 Epstein, Jacob, Sir1911–1930 3 items (15 p.)

Includes a letter from Robinson to Epstein (Oct 20, 1930), a letter from Mrs. Margaret Epstein to Robinson (November 15, 1930), and a transcript of six letters from Epstein to Quinn (1911–1915).

 1 F8 Gregory, Isabella Augusta Persee, Lady1903–1908 1 item (5 p.)

Includes a transcript of five letters from Lady Gregory to Quinn (1903–1908). The transcript bears an autograph note by Robinson.

 1 F9 Hackett, Francis1930 3 items (7 p.)

Includes two letters from Hackett to Robinson (September 24 & October 11, 1930), and a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Hackett (September 27, 1930).

 1 F10 Hyde, Douglas1902–1930 3 items (37 p.)

Includes a letter from Hyde to Robinson (October 28, 1930), a transcript of sixteen letters from Hyde to Quinn (bears autograph corrections and deletions, dated 1905–1923), and an introduction to the chapter on Quinn and Hyde. The introduction bears autograph revisions.

 1 F11 John, Augustus1909–1915 1 item (33 p.)

Includes a transcript of twelve letters from John to Quinn (1909–1915). The transcript bears autograph corrections and deletions by John and Robinson. The cover sheet bears the autograph note by Robinson: "Corrected by A. J."

 1 F12 Leslie, Shane1916–1930 6 items (23 p.)

Includes two letters from Leslie to Robinson (September 11 and 19, 1930). The September 11th letter has two enclosures: an autograph essay by Leslie about John Quinn and a transcript of seven letters from Leslie to Quinn (1916–1923). Also includes two carbon copies of letters from Robinson to Leslie (Sep 16 and 26, 1930).

 1 F13 Lewis, Wyndham1930 5 items (5 p.)

Includes a letter from Lewis to Robinson (November 29, 1930) and four carbon copies of letters from Robinson to Lewis (September 16, October 16, November 4 and 15, 1930).

 1 F14 Mitchell, Susan Langstaff1922–1930 3 items (10 p.)

Includes a letter from Jane Mitchell (sister of Susan Mitchell) to Robinson (Sep 22, 1930), a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Jane Mitchell (Sep 26, 1930), and a transcript of two letters from Susan Mitchell to Quinn (1922–1923). The transcript bears autograph revisions by Robinson and a cover.

 1 F15 Moore, George1930 1 item (1 p.)

Includes one letter from Moore to Robinson (September 19, 1930).

 1 F16 Morris, May1910–1930 11 items (63 p.)

Includes four letters from Morris to Robinson (September 13, 25, and October 7 & 18, 1930), three carbon copies of letters from Robinson to Morris (September 16 and 26, Oct 16, 1930), and correspondence between Robinson and Longman, Green & Co. Also includes an introduction to the Morris chapter written by Robinson. It bears his autograph corrections and a transcript of thirteen letters from Morris to Quinn (1910–1916). The transcript includes two poems by William Morris and the cover bears the autograph note by Robinson: "Corrected by Miss Morris." Also some of letters in the transcript bear his autograph note: "rejected by M. M."

 2 F17 O'Grady, Standish1906–1930 4 items (16 p.)

Includes a letter from Margaret O'Grady (wife) to Robinson (September, 1930), two carbon copies of letters from Robinson to Margaret O'Grady (September 16 and 26, 1930), and a transcript of four letters from Standish O'Grady to Quinn (1906–1915). The transcript has a cover and bears autograph corrections by Robinson.

 2 F18 Pascin, Jules1918 3 items (8 p.)

Includes a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Pascin and two transcripts of a 1918 letter from Pascin to Quinn with cover.

 2 F19 Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William)1911–1930 3 items (10 p.)

Includes a letter from Maud Rolleston to Robinson (November 3, 1930), a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Maud Rolleston (October 31, 1930), and a transcript of two letters from T. W. Rolleston to Quinn (1911–1912) with cover.

 2 F20 Rouault, Georges1917–1930 11 items (29 p.)

Includes two letters from William Aspenwall Bradley to Robinson (December 3 and 10, 1930). Enclosed in the December 10 letter is an essay about John Quinn written in French by Rouault. Also includes a carbon copy of Rouault's essay, two carbon copies of letters from Robinson to Bradley, and a transcript of five letters from Rouault to Quinn (1917–1923).

 2 F21 Russell, George William, (A. E.)1903–1923 2 items (57 p.)

Includes the introduction to the chapter of A. E.'s letters to Quinn as written by Robinson. The introduction is based on information from A. E. Also includes a transcript of sixteen letters from Russell to Quinn (1903–1923). The cover to the transcript bears the autograph note by Robinson: "corrected by A. E. cut by L. R." The transcript bears autograph corrections by A. E. and Robinson, as well as cuts made by A. E. that are identified with his initials in the margins

 2 F22 Saint-Gaudens, Augustus1904 2 items (5 p.)

Includes transcripts of one letter from Saint-Gaudens to Quinn (1904). The cover bears Robinson's autograph note: "o.k. out of copyright?"

 2 F23 Stephens, James1913–1930 2 items (29 p.)

Includes a carbon copy of a letter from Robinson to Stephens (October 20, 1930) and a transcript of ten letters from Stephens to Quinn, with cover (1913–1922).

 2 F24 Synge, J. M. (John Millington)1907–1930 5 items (20 p.)

Includes an autograph letter from Edward Millington Synge (cousin and executor to J. M. Synge) to Robinson (September 15, 1930) and a carbon copy of a reply from Robinson the following day (September 16, 1930). Also includes carbon typescript transcriptions of three letters from Synge to Quinn (1907–1908), as well as two typed transcriptions of letters from W.B. Yeats and Jack Yeats to Quinn, all concerning Synge's Playboy of the Western World (1907).

 2 F25 Yeats, Jack Butler1905–1930 3 items (22 p.)

Includes a letter from Yeats to Robinson (September 8, 1930) and an introduction to the Jack Butler Yeats chapter in the anthology, written by Robinson and bearing his autograph revisions. Also includes a transcript of eight letters from Yeats to Quinn (1905–1919). The transcript bears autograph corrections and deletions by Robinson and Yeats.

 2 F26 Yeats, John Butler and W.B. (William Butler)1930 2 items (8 p.)

Includes an essay, "J. B. Yeats", written by Robinson, with his autograph corrections and cover. Also includes an essay, "W. B. Yeats," which describes the relationship of Yeats to John Quinn. The essay is based on a letter from W.B. Yeats to Robinson in 1930.

 Series II. Editorial matter and manuscripts1930–1931

Includes correspondence, an introduction, a table of contents, index, and two essays to be included in the edition.

 2 F27 Sullivan, Cornelius J.1930–1931 19 items (28 p.)

Includes letters, telegrams, and a clipping from Sullivan to Robinson. Also includes letters from Robinson to Sullivan, and an introduction to the edition. Sullivan oversaw the project at the behest of Quinn's sister, Mrs. Anderson.

 2 F28 Table of Contents, Index, and Introduction1930 3 items (20 p.)

Typescript with autograph corrections and notes by Robinson.

 2 F29 "John Quinn Among Artists"1930 1 item (12 p.)

Essay by Robinson, bearing extensive autograph revisions and a cover.

 2 F30 "Other Irish Friends"1930 1 item (6 p.)

Essay by Robinson, with a few autograph corrections and a cover bearing an autograph list of names of Irish literary figures.

 2 F31 Unidentified materialundated 2 items (5 p.)

Includes pages 3 and 4 of a letter bearing autograph corrections, pages 2–4 of a short story bearing autograph corrections, and an envelope bearing the autograph note: "Quinn letters keep."