Lockridge mss. II, 1941-1975
Summary Information
Repository
Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Lilly Library
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu
Creator
Lockridge, Ross, 1914-1948.
TitleLockridge mss. II, 1941-1975
Collection No.
LMC 1676
Extent
30 items
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
The Lockridge mss. II, 1941-1975,
consist primarily of correspondence from author Ross Franklin Lockridge, Jr.,
1914-1948, to various individuals. The Lilly Library acquired these letters to
complement the manuscript files for Lockridge's book,
Raintree County.
Many of the letters discuss the success of
Raintree County as well as Lockridge's untimely
death.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Lockridge was born on April 25, 1914 in Bloomington, Indiana. The family moved to
Fort Wayne for several years, but later returned to Bloomington. Lockridge attended
Indiana University in Bloomington, where he was known for his impressive academic
record. In 1937, he married Vernice Baker and together the couple had four children,
Ernest, Jeanne, Ross, and Lawrence. Lockridge died on March 6, 1948 in Bloomington,
Indiana, several weeks after the publication of
Raintree
County.
The novel was his only book.
Published in 1948,
Raintree County is considered by
some to be the "Great American Novel." The story follows the character
John Shawnessey during the course of a single day, July 4, 1892, and features
flashbacks to the time period after the Civil War. It is set in the fictional
Raintree County, which is in part based on Henry County, Indiana, where Lockridge
spent his childhood summers at his grandmother's home.
Arrangement
The collection is organized chronologically by date of correspondence. Correspondents
include: Ruth Allison Coates; Emily Rosenstein Lehrman; Dorothy McCrea; Robert
McCrea; Donald Smalley; Ruth Smalley; Craig Wylie.
Scope and Content Note
The collection also includes
Lockridge's notes from a creative writing class he taught at Simmons College,
newspaper clippings regarding his death, and Craig Wylie's notes on Raintree
County.
Related Material
Lockridge mss. and
Lockridge mss. III, also located at the Lilly Library, Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acquired: 1991-1998
Usage RestrictionsPrior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library, however,
patrons from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in
advance of their visits to ascertain availability of materials.
Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly
Library.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Lockridge mss.II, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington,
Indiana.
Processing InformationProcessed by Claire Horton.
Completed in 2013
Box 1
1941, Aug. 25 Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Smalley, Donald and Ruth.
1943, Aug.–1948,
Jan. Lockridge, Ross Franklin. To Lehrman, Emil
(Rosenstein)
1944, Oct.
3–1945, Jan. 30. Shore, Evelyn Bennett. Stories and
poems.
1947, Aug. 23. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To McCrea, Dorothy and Robert.
1947, Aug. 24. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Patton, Edwina.
1947, Nov. 12. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Wylie, Craig.
1948, Mar. 9. Curley,
Daniel. To Wylie, Craig.
1948, Jan. 30. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Mason, Wini Rubin.
1948, Feb. 2. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Mr. Seward.
1948, Feb. 11. Lockridge,
Ross Franklin. To Coates, Ruth Allison.
1948, Mar. 24. Noyes,
Vernice (Baker) Lockridge. To Piercy, Josephine.
1975, Jan. 26. Deaton, John
G. To Wylie, Craig.
Undated. Wylie, Craig. Notes for Lockridge.
