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Dorothy Bull collection

1954-26-0

 Collection
Identifier: 1954-26-0

Scope and Contents

The Dorothy Bull collection (1954-26-0, .42 linear feet) consists of letters from John Masefield (1878-1967), a poet lauriet of the United Kingdom, containing suggestions and criticisms of Dorothy Bull's writing and other contemporary writers and other topics; other letters written by Masefield; Bull's 1922-1923 letters to her aunt Edith Kingsbury written from England; Masefield's published works and copies of The Forge, a literary magazine he founded; verse written by Bull; photographs of Masefield and other subjects; and other correspondence and papers.

Educator Dorothy Bull (1887-1934) of New York City and Litchfield had many interests, including poetry and dramatics. She was particularly interested in the Litchfield Players, taking part in a number of its productions. The papers include several of her poems, including some published in The Forge. King George V appointed John Masefield Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1930, an honorary post Masefield held until his death in 1967. Masefield was author of children's novels

Dates

  • created: 1913-1934
  • Other: Date acquired: 10/09/1955

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

Dorothy Bull (1887-1934) was born in New York City, the daughter of Dr. Charles Stedman Bull and Mary Eunice Kingsbury of Waterbury, Conn. She was educated in a small private school in Morristown, N.J. and in the Brearly School of New York. After graduation in 1906, she pursued social work and had a club of girls at Hartley House, a settlement house on New York's west side. Around 1912, she was active in an exhibition to show the bad effects of overcrowding in cities. Bull was seriously ill in 1917 and 1918 and moved permanently to Litchfield, Conn., where she had been a summer resident since 1908. In Litchfield, she was instrumental in the formation of the Girl Scouts in 1918, taught dramatics as a volunteer teacher at the high school, was the secretary and a trustee of the Connecticut Junior Republic Association from 1922 to 1926, and was an active member of the Connecticut Society of Colonial Dames. In 1926, Bull and Mabel F. Spinney organized the Spring Hill School, serving as co-principals. The school was incorporated in 1930 and Bull was elected president and trustee. She died in 1934.

Note written by

Collection Subjects (by name)

Nichols, Robert (English poet, 1893-1944)

Masefield, Constance [de la Cherois Crommelin] (1867-1960). Teacher, Homemaker, wife of John Masefield.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet

1 document box other_unmapped

Language of Materials

English

Source of Acquisition

F. Kingsbury Bull

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Accruals and Additions

Initial gift was made by F. Kingsbury Bull in 1954. An additional gift was made by Mrs. Ludlow Bull in 1973.

Existence and Location of Originals

multi-part note content

Other Descriptive Information

This collection was processed with support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Title
Dorothy Bull collection
Status
In Progress
Author
Leith Johnson & BC Potter
Date
02/01/2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)