Murphy DeWitt and Robert Neill Smith Papers
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.
The collection is first arranged into two series based on individual:
Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith 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 is primarily composed of personal and professional correspondence (Sub-Series A) and materials documenting Robert's artistic endeavors (Sub-Series B). Artistic materials consist of short story manuscripts, poems, plays, musical compositions, and information about Robert's involvement with a number of small theatres. Other materials in this series document Robert'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 scrapbook material (Sub-Series H) relating to Robert and his family, friends, and activities.
The final series, Oversized Material, is comprised of large format items within the collection.
Dates
- 1929-1998
- Majority of material found within 1937-1993
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
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.
Biographical/Historical Note
Murphy DeWitt Smith Jr. was born to Murphy and Damie Hogan Smith on October 16, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama. Smith began his undergraduate education at Carson-Newman College and transferred to the University of Tennessee in 1945. He graduated with his BA in 1948 and again with his MA in 1949. He began working for the American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 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 siblings. Smith died in 2008 and is buried in Jefferson County, Alabama.
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 BA 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.
Arrangement
Collection consists of twelve boxes. Material is divided into three series:
- Series I: Murphy DeWitt Smith
- Sub-Series A: Correspondence, 1942-1993
- Sub-Series B: Letter Books and Diaries, 1965-1984
- Sub-Series C: Personal Papers, undated
- Sub-Series D: Photographs, undated
- Series II: Robert Neill Smith
- Sub-Series A: Correspondence, 1953-1971
- Sub-Series B: Literary and Artistic Activities, 1948-1966
- Section 1: Short Stories and Novels, 1948-1959
- Section 2: Music and Poetry, 1955
- Section 3: Theater, 1955-1966
- Sub-Series C: Personal Papers, 1929-1971
- Sub-Series D: Education, 1936-1967
- Sub-Series E: Professional Papers, 1959-1971
- Sub-Series F: Death and Estate, 1970-1998
- Sub-Series G: Photographs, 1937-1971
- Sub-Series H: Scrapbooks, 1938-1952
- Series III: Oversized Materials, 1937-1969
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository