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Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory
Introduction
The Elden T. Smith Collection (1939-1975, 1991, 2001 scattered) is comprised of ½ cubic foot of correspondence, printed materials
and photographs belonging to Smith when he was a faculty member/administrator at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) from
1940-1961, specializing in Speech and Drama. The correspondence between Elden Smith and Irish visiting scholar/dramatist Lennox
Robinson is a major highlight of this collection as well as various volumes of Robinson's writings inscribed by him to Smith.
This collection was transferred from University Archives. There are no restrictions on its use for research purposes. The
finding aid was prepared by Eric Honneffer in July 2005.
Biographical Sketch
Elden T. Smith has been fondly remembered at BGSU as the professor who "discovered" actress Eva Marie Saint when she was an
elementary education major at the university. Dr. Smith, director of the 1943 campus production of "Personal Appearance" needed
a girl for the play who "looked like an actress". Elden Smith's wife Betty was Eva Marie Saint's adviser at the Delta Gamma
Sorority and encouraged her to audition. She won the part and switched her major to Theater.
Elden T. Smith was born in January 1910 and graduated from Elyria High School in 1928. He received his undergraduate degree
in Speech in 1932 from Ohio Wesleyan and a Masters in Drama and Theater from Western Reserve in 1933. He completed his Doctor
of Philosophy degree from Western Reserve in 1948.
Prior to coming to BGSU in 1940 as an instructor in the Speech Department, Dr. Smith produced, directed and managed commercial
Marionette shows for Duncan-Mabley Inc. During the 1940's and into the mid-1950's he served as the director of the university's
Theater Department, was chair of the Speech Department and by 1947 would be named full professor. From 1946-1947 he was on
leave from BGSU working under a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship from the National Theater Conference directing plays at
Western Reserve.
In 1955 Dr. Smith was appointed Director of Student Life and Services at BGSU and in 1961 became Dean of Students. He and
his wife Betty were also active advisors to Greek organizations. On May 19, 1961, Elden T. Smith assumed the position of Provost
at Ohio Wesleyan and would become President there from 1962-1968.
Dr. Smith currently resides in Seminole, Florida.
Scope and Content
This small 1/2 cubic foot collection includes mostly correspondence, printed materials and photographs belonging to Elden
T. Smith while he was employed at BGSU from 1940-1961.
Correspondence between Elden T. Smith and Irish visiting scholar/dramatist Lennox Robinson may appeal to literature, drama
scholars and others interested in Irish theater management in general. (Robinson managed the Abbey Theater in Dublin, Ireland.)
The letters are mostly a good nature exchange of daily news, comments and reminiscences about Robinson's visit to BGSU in
1947 and subsequent BGSU theater productions. Other correspondence focuses upon Elden T. Smith's hiring at BGSU in 1940 and
his move toward administrative positions at BGSU in 1955.
Literary manuscripts include a copy of a script used by Betty Smith in a BGSU 1947 production of "The Plough and the Stars"
by Sean O'Casey. The play was directed by Lennox Robinson. He inscribed and signed this copy which includes annotations.
Elden T. Smith's 1975 manuscript recounting the establishment of Phi Delta Theta at BGSU is also included among the literary
productions. A 1942 article about BGSU President Frank Prout by Elden T. Smith can be found in an issue of The Scroll of Phi
Delta Theta within printed materials in the collection.
Other notable printed materials include a few playbills from various BGSU theater productions presented from 1947-1955; Lennox
Robinson's booklet "Pictures in a Theatre" about the Abbey Theatre; four volumes by Robinson signed and inscribed to Elden
T. Smith; a biography about Lennox Robinson and a small selection of news clippings relevant to Elden T. Smith and various
BGSU theater productions. Two articles (1958 and 2001) are the only documents in the collection concerning actress Eva Marie
Saint.
Approximately one half dozen photographs in the collection include one of the Smiths and others at a football game at Ohio
Weslyan (c.1943), the Smith and others at the installation of the BGSU Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi (dramatics honorary) and
various Lennox Robinson-related photographs.
The collection ends with a reel-to-reel tape recording of Elden T. Smith's "This is Your Life" presentation at the Huron Playhouse
in August 1955.
Series Description
CORRESPONDENCE
ELDEN T. SMITH - BGSU LETTERS
October 16, 1939-May 7, 1948 (scattered)
Arranged chronologically
Includes letters regarding Elden T. Smith's hiring at BGSU in 1940 and the Summer School of Speech in 1941. A letter written
to a colleague in 1948 about a possible change of career is also in this group.
LENNOX ROBINSON LETTERS TO ELDEN T. SMITH
1947, January 30, 1948-April 2, 1956, n.d.
Arranged chronologically
Most of the letters were sent to Elden T. Smith when Lennox Robinson returned to Dublin, Ireland after a 1947 visit to BGSU.
A number of these are not dated but seem to be from the late 1940's and into the 1950's. A couple of carbons of Mr. Smith's
replies include insights into his move toward administrative posts at BGSU and contained interest in BGSU theater productions.
LENNOX ROBINSON LETTERS TO BETTY SMITH
November 1947, n.d.
These are congratulatory notes given to Betty Smith from Lennox Robinson whenever she appeared in his BGSU production of "The
Plough and the Stars" in 1947. One undated letter is from Mrs. Lennox Robinson (Dolly Smith).
LITERARY PRODUCTIONS
SCRIPT OF "THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS" BY SEAN O'CASEY
November 1947
Inscribed, signed and annotated by Lennox Robinson for Betty Smith whenever she used this copy in the production of the same
name.
"PHI DELTA THETA AT BGSU BY ELDEN T. SMITH
September 18, 1975
History of this fraternity written by Elden T. Smith for the 25th anniversary of its chartering.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
CONTRACTS
1940-1942, 1953-1954, 1955-1957, 1959-1960
Arranged chronologically
Elden T. Smith's contracts with BGSU.
PRINTED MATERIALS
"SUMMER SCHOOL OF SPEECH"
April 1940
Brochure, BGSU
THE SCROLL OF PHI DELTA THETA
November 1942
This periodical contains an article written by Elden T. Smith about BGSU President Frank Prout.
PLAYBILLS
1947-1955
Arranged chronologically
Four playbills feature productions performed at BGSU theater.
"PICTURES IN A THEATRE"
n.d.
Booklet by Lennox Robinson
BOUND VOLUMES
1919-1964
Four works are by Lennox Robinson and are signed and inscribed by him to Elden T. Smith. A fifth work is a biography about
Lennox Robinson written by Michael J. O'Neill.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
c.1940
Imprinted "Sara Allgood" (Irish actress) - two cards
NEWSCLIPPINGS
1940-2001 (scattered)
These newsclippings are arranged chronologically and focus upon Elden T. Smith's career and various dramatic productions at
BGSU. Two newsclippings are included about Eva Marie Saint.
PHOTOGRAPHS
ELDEN T. SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS
1943-1952 (scattered)
The photographs include one of the Smith and others at a football game at Ohio Wesleyan (c.1943). Another photograph includes
the Smith and others at the installation of the BGSU Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi (c.1945). A third photograph is of Elden T.
Smith, President McDonald and others at the Huron Playhouse (1952).
LENNOX ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHS
January 6, 1948; n.d.; c.1940
One photograph features Lennox Robinson and colleagues receiving honorary degrees from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland
(1-6-1948). Another photograph shows Lennox Robinson in his study. A third photograph shows a house in Ireland that Lennox
Robinson had once owned. Neither of the last photographs is dated but appears to be c.1940.
AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDINGS
MAGNETIC TAPE (REEL TO REEL)
August 1955
The recording was made of Elden T. Smith's "This is Your Life" Presentation at the Huron Playhouse.
Inventory
Box 1 Folder
- Correspondence - Elden T. Smith hired at BGSU, 10/16/1939-5/7/1948 (scattered)
- Correspondence - Lennox Robinson writing to the Smiths, 1947; 1/30/1948-4/2/1956; n.d.
- Correspondence - Sent to Betty Smith, 11/1947; n.d.
- "The Plough and the Stars" script of the play by Sean O'Casey (Betty Smith's copy when she appeared as Bessie Burgess in the
BGSU production directed by Lennon Robinson. He inscribed and signed this copy), 11/1947
- "Phi Delta Theta at BGSU" manuscript by Elden T. Smith, 9/18/1975
- Elden T. Smith academic year contracts, 1940-1941; 1941-1942; 1953-1954; 1955-1956; 1956-1957; 1959-1960
- "Summer School of Speech" brochure (BGSU), 4/1940
- "A University Builder" article written by Eldon T. Smith about BGSU President Frank Prout which appeared in The Scroll of
Phi Delta Theta, vol. LXVII, #2, 11/1942
- BGSU Playbills (4), 1947-1955
- "Pictures in a Theatre" booklet by Lennox Robinson n.d.; c.1940
- Two Christmas cards imprinted "Sara Allgood", n.d.; c.1940
- Newsclippings about Elden T. Smith and his first play "Room Service" at BGSU, 1940
- Newclippings about Elden T. Smith and BGSU plays
(list of BG News articles about Elden T. Smith - 1940-1991 scattered), 11/1947-5/1949; 8/1955
- Newsclipping about Eva Marie Saint, 1/19/1958
News release about Eva Marie Saint, 10/2001
- Books by Lennox Robinson
Eight Short Stories (inscribed to E. Smith by author), 1919
Lady Gregory's Journals 1916-1930 (editor) 1947
Palette and Plough (inscribed to E. Smith by author), 1948
I Sometimes Think (inscribed to E. Smith by author), 1956
Book - Lennox Robinson by Michael J. O'Neill, 1964
- Photographs of Elden T. Smith, Paul Jones, Frank Prout and others at BGSU/Ohio Wesleyan football game, c.1943
- Photographs of Elden T. Smith et.al. photographs at at the installation of BGSU's Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi, c. 1945
- Photographs of Elden T. Smith, President McDonald and others at the Huron Playhouse, 1952
- Photographs of Lennox Robinson and others receiving honorary degree from what appears to be at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland,
1/6/1943
- Photographs of Lennox Robinson at his desk, n.d., c.1940
Lennox Robinson house, n.d., c.1940
- Magnetic tape (reel to reel) recording of Elden T. Smith's "This is Your Life" presentation at the Huron Playhouse, 8/1955
Manuscripts by Subject | Education Collections
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