MS 332 - Robinson Locke Papers

Title	MS 332 - Robinson Locke Papers
Subject	Arts & Entertainment
Introduction	The correspondence and scrapbook material of Robinson Locke, a newspaper editor, owner, and theater critic date from 1885-1922. The documents detail Locke's career primarily as a theater critic, by providing his reviews and descriptions of various plays. Moreover, a number of letters, telegrams, and news articles document various plays, Locke's personal life, and the public response to his review of plays. Also included in the collection are a number of printed materials profiling Locke's many personal contacts both in and outside of the theatrical world. In addition, a small number of financial files are included in the collection that provide a limited amount of information. The records were donated and transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in October 1983 through the cooperation of Barbara Floyd of the Ohio Historical Society. Literary and property rights have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purpose of preservation and scholarly research.
Biographical Sketch	Robinson Locke (1856-1920) was the son of David Ross Locke, former owner of and writer for the Toledo Blade newspaper, and assumed control of the newspaper in 1885. Locke also wrote for the paper for nearly twenty years as a theater critic under the name of "Rodney Lee." Locke also was very active outside of the publishing field. He owned a very extensive dramatic library which included reviews of many plays and actors. This library was donated to the State of New York after his death. President Arthur appointed him United States Consul to England in 1883. More locally, Locke was a member of the Toledo Club, Commerce Club, Toledo Yacht Club, and the Rowfant Club of Cleveland. He was a member of the Toledo School Board, a trustee to the Toledo Museum of Art, and President of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He was also a founder of the Northwestern Ohio Historical Society and a thirty-third degree Mason. Locke died in 1920 from complications from appendicitis.
Scope and Content	The heart of the Robinson Locke collection lies in the correspondence between Locke and various actors, directors, writers, and the public concerning his review of plays. This is a valuable tool for learning about the variety of plays produced during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Moreover, the reviews and correspondence provide insight into the public's acceptance or rejection of these plays. In addition, this correspondence illuminates the large number of contacts Locke had nationally with the theatrical community. Also valuable are the scrapbook materials in the collection. The newspaper clippings detail the names and nature of the plays Locke reviewed. They also provide information on the public perception of different types of plays, the reception of the theater in general, and the evolution of the theater. The collection also includes subject files, financial documents, and printed materials. These items, however, are minimal and lack the breadth necessary for an extensive study of Locke's financial situation, his professional or personal life. All of the documents located in this collection are glued to sheets of cardboard paper. One page of this cardboard paper may include several different documents. Therefore, each sheet is given a number which is located on the sheet's bottom corner. The Box/Folder inventory includes a listing of each sheet by its number and the type of documents located on the sheet.
Series Description	CORRESPONDENCE ROBINSON LOCKE CORRESPONDENCE 1885-1922, n.d. Includes letters exchanged between Robinson Locke and various people concerning numerous topics including holiday greetings, discussion of reviews, postcards, praise and criticism for his review of plays FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FINANCIAL RECORDS 1885-1893 Includes miscellaneous bills, statements, and receipts for unidentified purchases by Locke SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS NEWS ARTICLES 1904-1927, n.d. Includes reviews of plays by Locke, articles on plays and miscellaneous events PRINTED MATERIALS POSTCARDS 1908-1915. Includes postcards from various places addressed to Robinson Locke and detailing vacations and personal experiences of those sending the postcards CIRCULARS 1918 Includes one circular for 2nd Red Cross War Fund MENUS 1885 Includes two menus from a complimentary dinner given in honor of Locke by the Draconian Club
Inventory	Box 1 Folder 1 Correspondence, 1885 Menu, 1885 Correspondence, 1885 Correspondence, 1885 Folder 2 Financial document, 1885 Financial document, 1885 Correspondence, 1893 Financial document, 1893 Correspondence, 1898 Correspondence, 1903 News article, n.d. Folder 3 News article, 1904 Invitation, 1905 Correspondence, 1904 Holiday greetings, 1904 News article, 1904 News article, 1906 Correspondence, 1906 Correspondence, 1906 Correspondence-continued from sheet 16, 1906 News article, 1906 Correspondence, 1906 Correspondence, 1908 Correspondence, 1908 Folder 4 Postcards, 1908 Correspondence, 1908 Correspondence, 1911 Correspondence, 1911 Correspondence, 1912 News article, 1912 Correspondence, n.d. News article, 1912 Correspondence, 1912 Correspondence, 1912 News article, 1912 Correspondence, 1912 Correspondence, 1912 Correspondence, 1912 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 33, 1913 Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 33, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Postcard, n.d. News article, 1927 Folder 5 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 42, 1913 Correspondence, 1911 News article, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 News article, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 Correspondence, 1913 News article, 1913 Correspondence, 1914 Correspondence, 1914 Postcards, 1914 Correspondence, 1914 Postcards, 1916 Correspondence, 1915 Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 57, 1915 Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 57, 1915 News article, 1915 Postcards, 1915 Folder 6 Correspondence, c. 1915 Correspondence, 1915 News article, 1915 Postcards, 1915 Christmas greeting cards, 1915 News article, 1916 Circular, 1918 Correspondence, 1916 Telegram, 1916 Telegram, 1917 Telegram, 1917 Telegram, 1917 Telegram, 1917 Telegram, 1918 Telegram, 1918 Telegram, 1918 Telegram, 1919 Telegram, 1919 Telegram, 1920 Telegram, 1921 Telegram, 1922 Telegram, n.d. Telegram, n.d.

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