Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The correspondence and scrapbook material of Robinson Locke, a newspaper editor, owner, and theater critic date from 1885-1922. The documents detail Locke's career primarily as a theater critic, by providing his reviews and descriptions of various plays. Moreover, a number of letters, telegrams, and news articles document various plays, Locke's personal life, and the public response to his review of plays. Also included in the collection are a number of printed materials profiling Locke's many personal contacts both in and outside of the theatrical world. In addition, a small number of financial files are included in the collection that provide a limited amount of information.

The records were donated and transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in October 1983 through the cooperation of Barbara Floyd of the Ohio Historical Society. Literary and property rights have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purpose of preservation and scholarly research.

Biographical Sketch

Robinson Locke (1856-1920) was the son of David Ross Locke, former owner of and writer for the Toledo Blade newspaper, and assumed control of the newspaper in 1885. Locke also wrote for the paper for nearly twenty years as a theater critic under the name of "Rodney Lee."

Locke also was very active outside of the publishing field. He owned a very extensive dramatic library which included reviews of many plays and actors. This library was donated to the State of New York after his death. President Arthur appointed him United States Consul to England in 1883. More locally, Locke was a member of the Toledo Club, Commerce Club, Toledo Yacht Club, and the Rowfant Club of Cleveland. He was a member of the Toledo School Board, a trustee to the Toledo Museum of Art, and President of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He was also a founder of the Northwestern Ohio Historical Society and a thirty-third degree Mason. Locke died in 1920 from complications from appendicitis.

Scope and Content

The heart of the Robinson Locke collection lies in the correspondence between Locke and various actors, directors, writers, and the public concerning his review of plays. This is a valuable tool for learning about the variety of plays produced during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Moreover, the reviews and correspondence provide insight into the public's acceptance or rejection of these plays. In addition, this correspondence illuminates the large number of contacts Locke had nationally with the theatrical community. Also valuable are the scrapbook materials in the collection. The newspaper clippings detail the names and nature of the plays Locke reviewed. They also provide information on the public perception of different types of plays, the reception of the theater in general, and the evolution of the theater.

The collection also includes subject files, financial documents, and printed materials. These items, however, are minimal and lack the breadth necessary for an extensive study of Locke's financial situation, his professional or personal life.

All of the documents located in this collection are glued to sheets of cardboard paper. One page of this cardboard paper may include several different documents. Therefore, each sheet is given a number which is located on the sheet's bottom corner. The Box/Folder inventory includes a listing of each sheet by its number and the type of documents located on the sheet.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

ROBINSON LOCKE CORRESPONDENCE
1885-1922, n.d.
Includes letters exchanged between Robinson Locke and various people concerning numerous topics including holiday greetings, discussion of reviews, postcards, praise and criticism for his review of plays

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

FINANCIAL RECORDS
1885-1893
Includes miscellaneous bills, statements, and receipts for unidentified purchases by Locke

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

NEWS ARTICLES
1904-1927, n.d.
Includes reviews of plays by Locke, articles on plays and miscellaneous events

PRINTED MATERIALS

POSTCARDS
1908-1915.
Includes postcards from various places addressed to Robinson Locke and detailing vacations and personal experiences of those sending the postcards

CIRCULARS
1918
Includes one circular for 2nd Red Cross War Fund

MENUS
1885
Includes two menus from a complimentary dinner given in honor of Locke by the Draconian Club

Inventory

Box 1

Folder 1

1. Correspondence, 1885
2. Menu, 1885
3. Correspondence, 1885
4. Correspondence, 1885

Folder 2

1. Financial document, 1885
2. Financial document, 1885
3. Correspondence, 1893
4. Financial document, 1893
5. Correspondence, 1898
6. Correspondence, 1903
7. News article, n.d.

Folder 3

1. News article, 1904
   Invitation, 1905
2. Correspondence, 1904
   Holiday greetings, 1904
3. News article, 1904
4. News article, 1906
   Correspondence, 1906
5. Correspondence, 1906
6. Correspondence-continued from sheet 16, 1906
7. News article, 1906
   Correspondence, 1906
8. Correspondence, 1908
9. Correspondence, 1908

Folder 4

1. Postcards, 1908
2. Correspondence, 1908
3. Correspondence, 1911
4. Correspondence, 1911
5. Correspondence, 1912
   News article, 1912
6. Correspondence, n.d.
7. News article, 1912
8. Correspondence, 1912
9. Correspondence, 1912
   News article, 1912
10. Correspondence, 1912
11. Correspondence, 1912
12. Correspondence, 1912
13. Correspondence, 1913
14. Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 33, 1913
15. Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 33, 1913
16. Correspondence, 1913
17. Correspondence, 1913
    Postcard, n.d.
18. News article, 1927

Folder 5

1. Correspondence, 1913
2. Correspondence, 1913
3. Correspondence, 1913
4. Correspondence, 1913
5. Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 42, 1913
6. Correspondence, 1911
7. News article, 1913
   Correspondence, 1913
8. Correspondence, 1913
9. News article, 1913
10. Correspondence, 1913
11. Correspondence, 1913
12. Correspondence, 1913
13. Correspondence, 1913
    News article, 1913
14. Correspondence, 1914
15. Correspondence, 1914
16. Postcards, 1914
17. Correspondence, 1914
18. Postcards, 1916
19. Correspondence, 1915
20. Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 57, 1915
21. Correspondence-continuation of letter on sheet 57, 1915
22. News article, 1915
    Postcards, 1915

Folder 6

1. Correspondence, c. 1915
2. Correspondence, 1915
3. News article, 1915
4. Postcards, 1915
5. Christmas greeting cards, 1915
6. News article, 1916
7. Circular, 1918
8. Correspondence, 1916
9. Telegram, 1916
10. Telegram, 1917
11. Telegram, 1917
12. Telegram, 1917
13. Telegram, 1917
14. Telegram, 1918
15. Telegram, 1918
16. Telegram, 1918
17. Telegram, 1919
18. Telegram, 1919
19. Telegram, 1920
20. Telegram, 1921
21. Telegram, 1922
22. Telegram, n.d.
23. Telegram, n.d.

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