Emma Gray Trigg papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Emma Gray Trigg papers, Collection # M 40, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Summary

Extent:
4 Linear Feet
Creator:
Trigg, Emma Gray
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Emma Gray Trigg papers, Collection # M 40, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Emma Gray (White) Trigg Papers (1920-1971) consist chiefly of drafts of her plays, "Julep Time," "The Lone Vixen," "To Have and To Hold" and "Greenbriar," and her book of poetry, "The Spanish Pirates", together with some unpublished poetry and material about various subjects. Correspondence includes letters from fellow literary artists Max Eastman, James Branch Cabell, Ellen Glasgow, Harry M. Meacham, Marjorie K. Rawlings, Louis Untermeyer and Carl Van Vechten. Photographs include one of Max Eastman and two of Carl Van Vechten. The VCU Libraries also possess books from Trigg's personal library, including "Peter Whiffle: His Life and Works" by Van Vechten, which is inscribed to her.

Biographical / historical:

Emma Gray Trigg (1890-1976) was one of the prime movers behind the arts in Virginia. She was a leader, a promoter, and a major influence in the state's Fine Arts programs. She was also an artist in her own right. Born in Norfolk, she attended Columbia and the University of Virginia. During the 1930s, she was director of a public relief program in Virginia that employed more than one hundred forty out-of-work musicians. During this time, Ms. Trigg was also a performer, giving several vocal recitals along the East Coast. In 1937, her first collection of verse, "After Eden", was published and received some critical attention. For the duration of World War II she had the job of public information officer for the Office of Price Administration in Virginia. It was in this period that Ms. Trigg began to write a series of short children's plays and several operettas in collaboration with Elizabeth B. Maury. This eventually led to the adaptation of Mary Johnston's "To Have and To Hold", which played successfully in Richmond during the 1950s.In the late 1950s, Ms. Trigg was one of the first to call for the formation of a symphony orchestra in Richmond; and after its institution, she served on its executive committee until the time of her death. She was also a past president of the Poetry Society of Virginia and a board member of the Poe Museum. Her second collection of poetry, "The Paulonia Tree", was published in 1968.

Arrangement:

Collection remains in the original order as received.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard