Series 01: Harriet Taylor papers, 1867-1935
Scope and Contents
Diaries, correspondence, biographical notes, financial records, photographs, estate papers, and obituaries. Diaries, 1900-1907, 1913-1931, contain Taylor's record of her personal life and Library activities, and include photographs, correspondence, and clippings pertaining to her entries. Taylor also tracked her investments in her "Finance Book" and kept Newberry administrative memoranda in her "Bulletin Book". Papers also include correspondence regarding Taylor's attempt to publish her "Encyclopedia of Fiction" in 1911, her biographical research notes of the Ball family and work in the Library, photographs of family and friends, mementos of her Newberry employment, Newberry correspondence regarding the settlement of Taylor's estate, and obituaries.
Papers originally item catalogued by Midwest Manuscripts Curator Amy Nyholm. Catalogue cards are filed in the Newberry Manuscript Catalogue.
Dates
- Creation: 1867-1935
Creator
- Taylor, Harriet, -1931 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The Newberry Library Archives are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Unprocessed records are available by appointment only. Advance notice is necessary, particularly for administrative files, so that files may be screened for personnel records that are removed when records are processed.
Files containing personal or confidential information about individuals (including individual files on members of the Board of Trustees, individual donor files and records reporting the donations of an individual, personnel records, payroll records, and individual accepted fellows files) are closed for 30 years.
Biography of Harriet Taylor
Newberry Library Genealogy Department supervisor, 1900-1931, heraldry specialist, and eccentric. Born around 1850 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Harriet Taylor was hired by Newberry Library Trustee Franklin H. Head in June, 1894, beginning work as an assistant in the Catalogue Department. From February of 1895 until 1900, Taylor served as a reference assistant in both history and science. When genealogies and local histories were transferred to the Library's third floor in 1900, Harriet Taylor assumed responsibility for them, which continued until her forced retirement in 1931. An individualist, Taylor was well known for her monarchist views, her 1890's black satin dress, and her auburn curls, which she maintained throughout her life. Upon her death, June 21, 1931, Taylor bequeathed her entire estate ($20,000) to the Newberry.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Arrangement note
Arranged with diaries preceding other papers, arranged alphabetically.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org