Helen Follett papers, 1919-1969, bulk 1928-1939

Creator:

Abstract:

Helen Thomas Follett's papers consist primarily of personal letters and business correspondence, manuscripts of published and unpublished works, publicity items for her books, newspaper clippings, photographs, and postcards. In addition, there are manuscripts, correspondence, and newspaper clippings related to her oldest daughter, Barbara Newhall Follett.

Extent:

2.94 linear feet (7 document boxes)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Follett's papers primarily consist of personal letters, manuscripts of published and unpublished works, research materials and notes, publicity and promotional items, educational articles, photographs and postcards of her travels, and newspaper clippings.

In addition, the collection contains correspondence, writings, and newspaper clippings of her daughter, Barbara Newhall Follett.

Biographical / historical:

Helen Thomas Follett was born in 1893 and was an early twentieth-century author of young adult books. Her first two books, Magic Portholes and Stars to Steer By, were based on her sailing trip to the Caribbean and the South Seas islands during the late 1920s with her teen-age daughter, Barbara.

Follett advocated the use of typewriters in elementary schools as a teaching tool for young students to help learn words and form sentences. She had moderate success with her writings and had two more works published, Third-Class Ticket to Heaven and House Afire! in 1939 and 1941 respectively.

She was married to Wilson Follett, an English professor and writer. They divorced in the early 1930s. They had two daughters, Barbara and Sabra. Barbara was a child prodigy author who disappeared in 1939 at the age of 25.

Follett died in 1970 in New York City at the age of 76.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Follett, Helen Thomas. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--1970. Accession number--M-70.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/89.

Papers processed by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011).

Finding aid written by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011) April 2011.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in seven series.

Accruals:

No additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Barbara Newhall Follett Papers, Rare Book & Manuscript Libary, Columbia University.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

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); Helen Follett papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

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Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection