David Flaherty papers, 1913-1965
Collection context
- Creator:
- Flaherty, David, 1897-1966
- Abstract:
- The David Flaherty papers document the personal and professional life of Flaherty, dating from 1913 to 1965. The papers consist of David Flaherty's personal and family correspondence, scripts, accounts, notes, manuscripts, etc. of the films which he directed. The materials also include papers related to the documentary shorts he produced for the Jack Frost Sugar Company in the 1940s and the "Green Mountain Land" for the Vermont Development Association in 1950, along with others films he produced and proposed in the 1950s.
- Extent:
- 9 Linear Feet 9 boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
The David Flaherty papers contains David Flaherty's personal and family correspondence, scripts, accounts, notes, manuscripts, etc. of the films which he directed, dating from 1913 to 1965. The correspondence files contain incoming and outgoing letters from/to his family including his brother, Robert J. Flaherty, whom he worked with after returning from World War I, prior to the 1940s. Other materials in the papers also include the scripts, notes, lists, correspondence related to the documentary short films he produced for the Jack Frost Sugar Company between 1945 and 1948, as well as films he produced and/or proposed for the Vermont Development Association and an independent film company in the 1950s. The materials in the collection provides an insight into the family life of David Flaherty as well as his contribution to the production of early documentary films.
- Biographical / historical:
-
David Flaherty was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, on November 27, 1897. He was the youngest son of Robert H. Flaherty, who was a mining engineer, and Susanna Kloeckner Flaherty, and the younger brother of Henry Russell Flaherty and Robert Joseph Flaherty, a documentary film pioneer. David grew up in Port Arthur, Ontario. During World War I, he was a clerk in the U.S. Army for two years and joined his brother, Robert Joseph Flaherty on his first film expedition to Canada after returning from the war and assisted him in his film productions. He also contributed in organizing the annual Robert Flaherty Film Seminar. He later also spent some time in France writing at the encouragement of his brother. After returning to the U.S., he began producing advertising short documentaries for the Jack Frost Sugar Company in the 1940s, as well as "Green Mountain Land" for the Vermont Development Association in 1950. He later worked at a small independent film company in the 1950s. In 1966, David Flaherty died at the age of 68, in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); David Flaherty papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu