Harry Nelson papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0645

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Harry Nelson papers (1886-2015) are mainly a collection of materials documenting the life of Maud May Babcock (1867-1954), a theater teacher and director at the University of Utah from 1892 to 1938. Journals, travelogs, daily planners, teaching materials, manuscripts, programs, announcements, letters, and news clippings are included. These materials describe Babcock's day-to-day life, her travels, her involvement with the theater community, and her participation in the LDS Church. Some personal materials of Harry Nelson, including programs and scripts relating to his theatrical activities, are included.

Dates

1886-2015

Creator

Nelson, Harry, 1901-1988 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Harry Nelson was born on October 17, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Pehr and Ulrika Nelson, who were of Swedish descent. He graduated from Granite High School in 1919 and then attended the University of Utah until his graduation in 1924. Nelson was active in the drama department and appeared in several plays produced by Maud May Babcock. After graduating from the University, Nelson continued his studies in a graduate program at the University of London, England, where he became acquainted with Sir Laurance Olivier who was a fellow student. He later performed on Broadway and with traveling dramatic groups. He later returned to the Intermountain West and taught at Ricks College in Rexsburg, Idaho, and at the University of Utah. He married Alice Evelyn Moyle in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, and worked for ZCMI as the general merchandising manager for twenty years until his retirement in 1966. He served in various LDS Church positions. He died in 1988.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (11 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Harry Nelson in 1983.

Addendum donated by Linda Burbidge-Gardner and Karin Brown in 2016.

Separated Materials

See also the Harry Nelson photograph collection (P0585) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Julie Middlemas in 1992.

Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in 2017.

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