Lillian Gish Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Lillian Gish Letter, Ms1978-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Gish, Lillian, 1893-1993
Abstract:
The collection consists of a letter from actress Lillian Gish (1893-1993) to Charles Haney, librarian at Virginia Tech, in answer to a question about the filmmaker, D. W. Griffith (1875-1948), with whom Gish worked on several films.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Lillian Gish Letter, Ms1978-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of a letter from Lillain Gish to Charles Haney, librarian at Virginia Tech, in answer to a question about the filmmaker D. W. Griffith.

Biographical / historical:

Lillian Diana Gish was an American actress, best known for her appearance in such silent screen classics as Birth of a Nation and Orphans of the Storm. Born October 14, 1893, died February 27, 1993. She spent over 75 years on the sreen (1912-1987). Her most prominate films were of the 1910s and 1920s, with D. W. Griffith (1875-1948) as the director. AFI listed Gish as 17th among the greatest female stars of all time. She was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 1971, and she received an AFI Life Achievement Award in 1984.

Lillian Gish never married nor had children. The association between Gish and D. W. Griffith was so close that some suspected a romantic connection, an issue never acknowledged by Gish, although several of their associates were certain they were at least briefly involved. For the remainder of her life, she always referred to him as "Mr. Griffith."

Acquisition information:
The Lillian Gish Letter was purchased by University Libraries and transferred to Special Collection in 1978.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Lillian Gish Letter was completed prior to 2010. Additional description was completed in November 2010.

Arrangement:

The folder is arranged so that the letter by Lillian Gish is in the front, followed by the envelope, then a brief note on why the letter was written to place the letter in context.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard