MS 265 San Diego Browning Society Records
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- San Diego History Center Document Collection
- Creator
- San Diego Browning Society.
- Title
- San Diego Browning Society Records
- ID
- MS 265
- Date [inclusive]
- 1946-1992
- Extent
- 1.5 Linear feet (3 boxes)
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- This collection contains items pertaining to the San Diego Browning Society, whose members read and analyzed the writings of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Preferred Citation
San Diego Browning Society Records, MS 265, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Biographical / Historical Notes
The San Diego Browning Society was founded in 1946 by Mrs. Oliver W. (Estelle Grace) Pierce, a retired speech coach from Minneapolis who moved to San Diego in 1931. According to the society’s by-laws, its purpose was to “promote the study, understanding and appreciation of the works of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and to relate them to the Victorian Age in which they were a vital influence.” Its members consisted of college faculty, prominent local citizens of varied professions, and any San Diegans who simply enjoyed poetry and were interested in its promotion. During the Society’s monthly meetings, members delivered readings of Browning poems and original papers about aspects of the Brownings’ lives and the time and environment in which they lived. Some meetings included lectures given by guest speakers. They also held events, such as annual holiday dinners, birthday parties for the Brownings, and special programs such as a Browning-related movie screening and an interpretive music concert based on a Robert Browning poem. Due to decline of membership and interest in this literary period, the society disbanded in 1992.
Scope and Content
The collection contains items relating to the administration and activities of the San Diego Browning Society. Administrative items include by-laws, membership listings, meeting minutes, financial reports, and correspondence. Many of the meeting minutes records books have newspaper clippings and other miscellaneous items pasted into the books. Activity-related items include program booklets, program notices and event programs.
Arrangement
Items in the collection are arranged by subject.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
San Diego History Center Document Collection November 16, 2011
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 920929.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Jennifer Ho on November 16, 2011.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Armstrong Browning Library.
- San Diego Browning Society.
Geographic Name(s)
- San Diego (Calif.)
Personal Name(s)
- Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, 1806-1861
- Browning, Robert, 1812-1889
- Livingstone, William
- Neill, Diana
- Pierce, Oliver W. (Grace Estelle), Mrs.
- Shouse, Claude F., Sr.
- Small, Carmen H.
- Small, W. Emmett
Subject(s)
- Clubs
- English literature — 19th century
- Poetry
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Some notebooks have loose pages. All loose materials from meeting minutes record books have been removed, but are retained in the same folder with the original book. (November 16, 2011)
Collection Inventory
| Box-folder | ||||
| By-laws, 1982 August 19–1985 May 28 and undated | 1:1 | |||
| Membership rosters, 1979 April–1991 | 1:2 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1946 May 8–1953 December 7 | 1:3 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1954 January 5–1957 April 14 | 1:4 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1957 May 12–1960 May 11
Includes: Photograph of club members |
1:5 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1960–1963 March 10 | 1:6 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1963 October 13–1966 April 17 | 2:1 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1966 May 15–1980 May 18 | 2:2 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound) and notes, 1983 February 6–1987 May 17
Includes: Financial reports Correspondence to members Meeting plans and notes, December 15-16, 1984 |
2:3 | |||
| Meeting minutes (bound), 1987 October 18–1992 May 18
Includes: Correspondence Financial reports Membership listings |
2:4 | |||
| Financial reports and records, 1978 October 1–1988 April 17
Includes: Financial records for event: “Barrets of Wimpole Street” |
2:5 | |||
| Treasurer’s record book and notes, 1965 June 7-1970 | 2:6 | |||
| Bank statements, cashed checks, etc., 1964 June 8–1982 February 14 | 2:7 | |||
| Bank statements, cashed checks, etc., 1981 December 18–1987 December 31 | 2:8 | |||
| Bank statements, cashed checks, etc., 1988 January 1–1989 December 29 | 2:9 | |||
| Bank statements, cashed checks, etc., 1989 December 30–1992 June 30 | 3:1 | |||
| Correspondence, 1961 February 15–1992 August 11 and undated
Includes: Correspondence regarding members dues, meetings, membership and reminders; administrative matters such as meeting location and bank account; and announcing closure of club. |
3:2 | |||
| Program booklets, 1950-1965 | 3:3 | |||
| Program booklets, 1965-1992 | 3:4 | |||
| Program notices, 1968 November–1983 March 31 | 3:5 | |||
| Guest book, 1982 June 20–1991 November 17 | 3:6 | |||
| Outreach and publicity, 1971 October 17–1988 May 7 and undated | 3:7 | |||
| Essay on Browning, undated
Scope and Content: Essay by club president Diana Neill regarding the effect of Browning’s life on his poetry. |
3:8 | |||
| Mrs. Oliver Willard Pierce, 1953 November 15–1955 March
Includes: Wooden plaque in honor of club founder and president emeritus, Mrs. Oliver Willard Pierce Laminated news clipping |
3:9 | |||
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