Donald Robertson papers

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  • Creator Names Robertson, Donald, 1860-1926.
  • Title Donald Robertson papers [manuscript], 1825-1947, bulk 1900-1926.
  • Physical description
    • 3.75 linear ft. (9 boxes)
    • 1 oversize folder.
  • Access and usage restrictions Box 6 is closed to researchers while receiving conservation treatment. For more information on availability, please ask staff by email ( Research@chicagohistory.org ).
  • Collection summary Incoming letters to Robertson, manuscript poetry and plays by Robertson, 6 scrapbooks pertaining to Robertson's career and miscellaneous items; plus a diary, autograph book, and letter relating to the family of his wife Anna Titus, an actress. Materials reflect Robertson's career as director of the Donald Robertson Company of Players, who performed at Fullerton Hall of the Art Institute of Chicago; as promoter and artistic director of the Chicago Woman's Club's Players' Theatre Association (later the Chicago Civic Theatre Association); and as dramatic director of the first season of the Chicago Theatre Society. A chief correspondent was Edith Rockefeller McCormick, sponsor and board member of the Chicago Civic Theatre Association and the Chicago Theatre Society. Other correspondents include Jane Addams, Arthur Bissell, Hamlin Garland, James O'Donnell Bennett, Louis H. Sullivan, Lorado Taft, Anna Titus, and Samuel Titus. Also present is a 1922 Lake View High School diploma.
  • Acquisition information Gift of the Colorado Historical Society in 1990 (1991.0195).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Donald Robertson photograph collection (1991.0195).
  • Biographical or Historical Note Robertson was a stage actor, director, and one of the leading figures in the repertory movement in the American theater ca. 1900.
  • Finding Aids Note Finding aid available online.
  • Names
    • Robertson, Donald, 1860-1926 Archives.
    • McCormick, Edith Rockefeller, 1872-1932.
    • Titus, Anna.
    • Art Institute of Chicago
    • Chicago Civic Theater Association.
    • Chicago Theatre Society.
    • Chicago Woman's Club Theatre.
    • Lake View High School (Chicago, Ill.) Students.
    • Players' Theatre (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Addams, Jane, 1860-1935.
    • Bissell, Arthur, 1870-1934.
    • Garland, Hamlin, 1860-1940.
    • McCormick, Edith Rockefeller, 1872-1932.
    • Bennett, James O'Donnell, 1870-1940.
    • Sullivan, Louis H., 1856-1924.
    • Taft, Lorado, 1860-1936.
    • Titus, Anna.
    • Titus, Samuel.
    • Chicago Civic Theater Association.
    • Chicago Theatre Society.
    • Chicago Woman's Club Theatre.
    • Players' Theatre (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subjects
    • Actors Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Actors Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Theater Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Theater Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Theatrical producers and directors Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Theatrical producers and directors Illinois Chicago 20th century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Intellectual life 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Intellectual life 20th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social life and customs 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social life and customs 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Autograph albums. aat
    • Correspondence. aat
    • Diplomas. aat
    • Poetry. aat
    • Plays.
    • Scrapbooks. aat
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-R/RobertsonD-inv.htm