Madge Tomsic collection on Ruth Harwood

Collection

Identifier: MS 0672

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Madge Tomsic collection (1888-2000) is composed of material relating to Ruth Harwood (1896-1959), a Utah poet and artist who became best known for her works that described and symbolized the striving of the human soul. The collection holds correspondence from friends and family to Ruth Harwood, with large amount from Ruth's father, James T. Harwood (1860-1940), and Ruth's friend, Ruth St. Denis (1844-1968); letters of affection from Ruth Harwood's friends and admirers; and artwork and poetry of Ruth Harwood, including painted stationery, a calendar, pamphlets, and a family history. Also present is correspondence between James T. Harwood and Ruth Harwood's mother, Harriet (Hattie), that document their pre-engagement courtship during the time James was studying in Paris and Hattie remained in Salt Lake City, and correspondence between Ruth St. Denis, a pioneer of American modern dance, and Ruth Harwood.

Dates

1888-2000

Creator

Tomsic, Madge (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

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

As a young child, Ruth Harwood was a sensitive and imaginative little girl with an unusual awareness of the beauty that surrounded her. The second of five children born to Professor James T. Harwood, internationally recognized artist, and Harriet Richards Harwood, Ruth spent most of her youth in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ruth found great beauty and inspiration in the elements of nature, and her parents encouraged her to express, both in poetry and painting, the beauty in which she delighted. In 1920, Ruth received her bachelors degree in English from the University of Utah and went on to complete her Master's Degree in Art at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years she received several awards for her poetry and began to put together a collection of poems published under the title "The Songs From the Lyric Road." This collection was later awarded the Emily Chamberlain Cook Prize for the best unpublished group of poems during 1921. Ruth later studied in New York, Paris, and Italy where she became acquainted with many of the great poets and artists of the day. While holding the position of Supervisor of Art at the State Teachers College, Silver City, New Mexico, Ruth received an invitation for membership from the president of the Poetry Society of America, the most distinguished literary group in the country. Among western artists, Ruth was one of the first to use vivid and vibrating colors in her painting. Yet Ruth's most notable achievements were made with her strikingly original work in creative designs which symbolize the "aspirations of the human soul." Ruth Harwood resided for many years in a hill-top cottage in Berkeley, California, which she converted into a workshop. It was from this cottage that she published much of her poetry, and also developed a line of hand-painted greeting cards. Ruth spent a great deal of time traveling across the country exhibiting her art. She was also a much sought after speaker and said to be one of the great orators of the day. On 9 March 1959, Ruth Harwood died in Yuciapia, California. Although she was never considered to be a social person, Ruth did enjoy meeting with people from different walks of life. Her one desire in life was that through her poetry and paintings she would be able to open for others the "vistas" of beauty which had given her so much joy.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Additional Description

Abstract

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Madge Tomsic in 1994.

Related Materials

Forms part of the Aileen H. Clyde 20th Century Women's Legacy Archives.

Processing Information

Processed by Scott Marsh in 1994.

Addendum (folder 8) processed by Betsey Welland in 2013.

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