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Finding Aid for the Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith Papers, 1929-1998 (bulk 1937-1993)


MS-2690

University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN


Collection processed by: Elizabeth Dunham, February 3, 2006
Finding Aid written by: Elizabeth Dunham, February 3, 2006
Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, February 3, 2006

Summary Information
Title: Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith Papers

Date/Date Range :   1929-1998 (bulk 1937-1993)
Smith, Murphy DeWitt, 1920-.Smith, Robert Neill, 1924-1971.
Extent: 12.25 linear feet

Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, short stories, and other materials documenting the lives of brothers Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith.

Call number: MS-2690

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Access and Use
Aquisition Information:
Murphy DeWitt Smith donated this collection to the Special Collections Library.
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Copyright:
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of Item], Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith Papers, MS-2690. The Special Collections Library of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Arrangement

Collection consists of twelve boxes. Material is divided into two series:

  1. Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith
  2. Series II: Robert Neill Smith

Biography / History

Murphy DeWitt Smith, Jr. was born to Murphy DeWitt Smith, Sr. and Damie Hogan Smith (d. 1968) on October 16, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the third youngest of 10 children: Margaret "Big Sis" Cates (born about 1906), Harry (born about 1909), F. Eleanor (born about 1911), Evelyn "Evy" Caldwell (born about 1914), Avis "Abie" Byers McDonald (born about 1916), William (born about 1918), Albert Lester (born about 1923), Robert Neill (born in 1924), and C. Leonard (born about 1927). Murphy Smith began his undergraduate education at Carson-Newman College and transferred to the University of Tennessee in 1945. He graduated with his B.A. in 1948, and again with his M.A. in 1949. He continuted on to work toward his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. It is unclear when he began working for American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but he remained in this position until his retirement. Smith also enjoyed travelling, and kept journals and slides documenting his trips around the world both alone and with various of his siblings. The UT Special Collections library now holds many of these records.

Robert Neill Smith was born on December 26, 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Red Bank High School in 1942, he entered the Air Force. He served as an aviation cadet and was honorably discharged in 1944. His military service exacerbated a preexisting heart condition, and he continuted to have heart trouble throught his life. Immediately after his discharge, Smith returned to his education. He graduated from Duke University with a B.A. degree in 1948 and from the Drexel Institute of Technology with a Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree in 1954. In 1955, he began working as the Science-Technology Librarian for the Georgia Institute of Technology. He left this position in 1959 to become the Director of the Flint River Regional Library in Griffin, Georgia. He changed jobs again in 1966, this time working as the Head Librarian at the Woman's College of Georgia. At the time of his death on April 24, 1971, he was planning a move to Clearwater, Florida, to become the Director of Libraries for the City of Clearwater.


Collection Scope and Content Note

This collection contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, short stories, poems, musical compositions, and other materials documenting the lives of brothers Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith. Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith, 1942-1993 consists primarly of correspondence between Murphy and various members of his family. It also houses a number of photographs (many of them portraying Murphy himself) and various other materials relating to his family and life.

Series II: Robert Neill Smith, 1929-1998 (bulk 1937-1971) is somewhat more varied. It is composed primarily of personal and professional correspondence (Sub-Series A) and materials documenting Smith's artistic endeavors (Sub-Series B). Artistic materials consist of short story manuscripts, poems, plays, musical compositions, and information about Smith's involvement with a number of small theatres. Other materials in this series document Smith's personal life (Sub- Series C), education (Sub-Series D), professional life (Sub-Series E), and death and estate (Sub-Series F). Finally, this series includes photographs (Sub- Series G) and scrapbooks (Sub-Series H) relating to Robert Smith and his family, friends, and activities.

See also MS-2400: Letter to Murphy D. Smith from Christopher Sandford, 1960.

Subject Terms

  • Smith, Murphy DeWitt, 1920- .
  • Smith, Robert Neill, 1924-1971.
  • Academic Libraries -- United States
  • American Philosophical Society. Library.
Contents List
   

Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith, 1942-1993
   

Sub-Series A: Correspondence, 1942-1993
Box   1     Folder   1    
Correspondence, undated
Box   1     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1942
Box   1     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1947
Box   1     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1948
Box   1     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1949
Box   1     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1950
Box   1     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1950
Box   1     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1951
Box   1     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1952
Box   1     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1952
Box   1     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1952
Box   1     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1952
Box   1     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   1     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   1     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   1     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   1     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   1     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   1     Folder   25    
Correspondence, 1955
Box   1     Folder   26    
Correspondence, 1955
Box   1     Folder   27    
Correspondence, 1955
Box   1     Folder   28    
Correspondence, 1955
Box   1     Folder   29    
Correspondence, 1955
Box   1     Folder   30    
Correspondence, 1957
Box   1     Folder   31    
Correspondence, 1959
Box   1     Folder   32    
Correspondence, 1960
Box   1     Folder   33    
Correspondence, 1960
Box   1     Folder   34    
Correspondence, 1960
Box   1     Folder   35    
Correspondence, 1961
Box   1     Folder   36    
Correspondence, 1962
Box   1     Folder   37    
Correspondence, 1962
Box   1     Folder   38    
Correspondence, 1962
Box   1     Folder   39    
Correspondence, 1963
Box   1     Folder   40    
Correspondence, 1963
Box   1     Folder   41    
Correspondence, 1963
Box   1     Folder   42    
Correspondence, 1963
Box   1     Folder   43    
Correspondence, 1963
Box   2     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   2     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1965
Box   2     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1965
Box   2     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1965
Box   2     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1965
Box   2     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   2     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   2     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   2     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   2     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   2     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   2     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   25    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   26    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   27    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   28    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   29    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   2     Folder   30    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   3     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1969
Box   3     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1969
Box   3     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1969
Box   3     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1969
Box   3     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   3     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   3     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   3     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   3     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   3     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   4     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   4     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   4     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   4     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   4     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1973
Box   4     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1973
Box   4     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1973
Box   4     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1973
Box   4     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1973
Box   4     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1974
Box   4     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1975
Box   4     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   4     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   4     Folder   25    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1976
Box   5     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1977
Box   5     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1978
Box   5     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1978
Box   5     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1978
Box   5     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1978
Box   5     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1979
Box   5     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1980
Box   5     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1980
Box   5     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1980
Box   5     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1980
Box   5     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1980
Box   5     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1981
Box   5     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1981
Box   6     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1981
Box   6     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1981
Box   6     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1981
Box   6     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1982
Box   6     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1982
Box   6     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1982
Box   6     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1983
Box   6     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1983
Box   6     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1983
Box   6     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1983
Box   6     Folder   11    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   14    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1984
Box   6     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   6     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   2    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   3    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   4    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   5    
Correspondence, 1985
Box   7     Folder   6    
Correspondence, 1986
Box   7     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1986
Box   7     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1986
Box   7     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1991
Box   7     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1993
   

Sub-Series B: Letter Books and Diaries, 1965-1984
Box   7     Folder   11    
Journal and Letter Book, 1965
Box   7     Folder   12    
Journal and Letter Book, 1965-1966
Box   7     Folder   13    
Journal and Letter Book: Grand Canyon, 1966
Box   7     Folder   14    
Journal and Letter Book: Grand Canyon, 1966
Box   7     Folder   15    
Journal and Letter Book, 1966-1969
Box   7     Folder   16    
Journal and Letter Book, 1969-1970
Box   7     Folder   17    
Journal and Letter Book, 1970-1971
Box   8     Folder   1    
Journal and Letter Book, 1971-1974
Box   8     Folder   2    
Journal and Letter Book: Turkey; Greece; Southwest; Africa, 1973-1974
Box   8     Folder   3    
Journal and Letter Book: Africa-South America, 1974-1975
Box   8     Folder   4    
Journal and Letter Book, 1975
Box   8     Folder   5    
Journal and Letter Book, 1975-1976
Box   8     Folder   6    
Journal and Letter Book, 1976-1977
Box   8     Folder   7    
Journal and Letter Book, 1977-1978
Box   8     Folder   8    
Journal and Letter Book, 1979-1981
Box   8     Folder   9    
Journal and Letter Book, 1981-1983
Box   8     Folder   10    
Journal and Letter Book, 1984
   

Sub-Series C: Personal Papers, undated
Box   9     Folder   1    
Genealogical Research, undated
Box   9     Folder   2    
Off-color Lymericks, undated
   

Sub-Series D: Photographs, undated
Box   9     Folder   3    
Landscapes and Interiors, undated
Box   9     Folder   4    
Murphy Smith, undated
Box   9     Folder   5    
People, undated
   

Series II: Robert Neill Smith, 1929-1998 (bulk 1937-1971)
   

Sub-Series A: Correspondence, 1953-1971
Box   9     Folder   6    
Correspondence, undated
Box   9     Folder   7    
Correspondence, 1941
Box   9     Folder   8    
Correspondence, 1945
Box   9     Folder   9    
Correspondence, 1953
Box   9     Folder   10    
Correspondence, 1954
Box   9     Folder   11    
Correspondence 1955
Box   9     Folder   12    
Correspondence, 1956
Box   9     Folder   13    
Correspondence, 1957
Box   9     Folder   14    
Correspodence, 1958
Box   9     Folder   15    
Correspondence, 1959
Box   9     Folder   16    
Correspondence, 1960
Box   9     Folder   17    
Correspondence, 1961
Box   9     Folder   18    
Correspondence, 1962
Box   9     Folder   19    
Correspondence, 1964
Box   9     Folder   20    
Correspondence, 1965
Box   9     Folder   21    
Correspondence, 1966
Box   9     Folder   22    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   9     Folder   23    
Correspondence, 1967
Box   9     Folder   24    
Correspondence, 1968
Box   9     Folder   25    
Correspondence, 1969
Box   9     Folder   26    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   9     Folder   27    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   9     Folder   28    
Correspondence, 1971
   

Sub-Series B: Literary and Artistic Activities, 1948-1966
   

Sub-Sub-Series 1: Short Stories and Novels, 1948-1959
Box   9     Folder   29    
The Best Cup,1959
Box   9     Folder   30    
A Cat Named Bertram,1949
Box   9     Folder   31    
Crescendo,undated
Box   9     Folder   32    
Dear John,undated
Box   9     Folder   33    
Decision for Douglas,undated
Box   9     Folder   34    
Each in his Star,undated
Box   9     Folder   35    
Enroute to the Murder,undated
Box   9     Folder   36    
Lutie and the Judge,undated
Box   9     Folder   37    
Mrs. Carson's Needle,undated
Box   9     Folder   38    
On the Nature of Things,undated
Box   9     Folder   39    
The Quarter Note,undated
Box   9     Folder   40    
Report from the Province,undated
Box   9     Folder   41    
River Village,undated
Box   9     Folder   42    
Short Stories from School, circa 1948-circa 1953
Box   9     Folder   43    
Show Me a Murderer,undated
Box   9     Folder   44    
Son and Heir,undated
Box   9     Folder   45    
Unidentified Short Stories, undated
Box   9     Folder   46    
Women are Wonderful Wives,undated
   

Sub-Sub-Series 2: Music and Poetry, 1955
Box   9     Folder   47    
A Pessimist on a Gloomy Day,1955
Box   9     Folder   48    
Porphyria's Lover,undated
Box   9     Folder   49    
Those Stars in Your Eyes and Where High Hills Meet Heaven,undated
Box   9     Folder   50    
Where High Hills Meet Heaven,undated
   

Sub-Sub-Series 3: Theater, 1955-1966
Box   9     Folder   51    
Ars Gratia Artis,undated
Box   9     Folder   52    
The Rome Little Theater, Inc., undated
Box   9     Folder   53    
The Atlanta Civic Theater, 1955-1957
Box   9     Folder   54    
Midgeville Little Theater, 1966
Box   9     Folder   55    
University of South Alabama, 1969
   

Sub-Series C: Personal Papers, 1929-1971
Box   10     Folder   1    
Good Humor, undated
Box   10     Folder   2    
Movie Information, undated
Box   10     Folder   3    
Genealogical Information, 1929
Box   10     Folder   4    
Clippings, 1945-1970
Box   10     Folder   5    
Clippings, 1945-1970
Box   10     Folder   6    
Ceres Club, 1959-1960
Box   10     Folder   7    
Personal File, 1959-1971
Box   10     Folder   8    
Personal File, 1959-1971
Box   10     Folder   9    
The Deck Club, 1964
Box   10     Folder   10    
The Deck Club, 1964
Box   10     Folder   11    
Sailing, 1966-1969
   

Sub-Series D: Education, 1936-1967
Box   10     Folder   12    
Awards, undated
Box   10     Folder   13    
Papers from English 158, undated
Box   10     Folder   14    
University Brochures, undated
Box   10     Folder   15    
Diplomas, 1936-1967
Box   10     Folder   16    
Graduation Programs, 1940-1942
Box   10     Folder   17    
The Roar1942
Box   10     Folder   18    
Papers from English 138, 1947
Box   10     Folder   19    
Chanticleer, 1947-1948
Box   10     Folder   20    
Papers from Unidentified Classes, 1954
   

Sub-Series E: Professional Papers, 1959-1971
Box   10     Folder   21    
Speeches, 1959-1964
Box   10     Folder   22    
Consulting Work, 1964-1969
Box   10     Folder   23    
Consulting Work, 1969-1969
Box   10     Folder   24    
Consulting Work, 1969-1969
Box   10     Folder   25    
Georgia Library Association, 1971
   

Sub-Series F: Death and Estate, 1970-1998
Box   10     Folder   26    
Cards accompanying flower arrangements, undated
Box   10     Folder   27    
Correspondence, undated
Box   10     Folder   28    
Correspondence, 1970
Box   10     Folder   29    
Correspondence, 1971
Box   10     Folder   30    
Correspondence, 1972
Box   10     Folder   31    
Resolution in Memory of Robert Smith and Memorial Service, 1971
Box   10     Folder   32    
Books Donated to the University of Tennessee, 1998
   

Sub-Series G: Photographs, 1937-1971
Box   10     Folder   33    
Chickamauga Dam, 1937-1940
Box   10     Folder   34    
Family Members, circa 1942-circa 1961
Box   10     Folder   35    
Friends, undated
Box   10     Folder   36    
Front Page of Unidentified Photo Album, 1940
Box   10     Folder   37    
Individuals, undated
Box   10     Folder   38    
Interiors, undated
Box   10     Folder   39    
Negatives, undated
Box   10     Folder   40    
Robert Smith, circa 1940-circa 1971
   

Sub-Series H: Scrapbooks, 1938-1952
Box   10     Folder   41    
Scrapbook, circa 1938-circa 1952
Box   10     Folder   42    
Loose Items, circa 1938-circa 1952
Box   10     Folder   43    
Loose Items, circa 1938-circa 1952
Box   10     Folder   44    
Loose Items, circa 1938-circa 1952
Box   10     Folder   45    
Loose Items, circa 1938-circa 1952
   

Series III: Oversized Materials, 1937-1969
Box   11      
Chickamuga Dam, 1937-1940
Box   12     Folder   1    
Scrapbook, circa 1938-circa 1952
Box   12     Folder   2    
Those Stars in Your Eyes and Where High Hills Meet Heaven,undated
Box   12     Folder   3    
Genealogical Information, 1929
Box   12     Folder   4    
Diplomas, 1936-1967
Box   12     Folder   5    
Consulting Work, 1964-1969