Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith and the Little Theater collection, 1946-1995

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SC-14

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of Professor of English and Drama Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith, who was a professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges from 1946-1976. In addition to Griffith's papers are a series of biographical materials collected by the Archives and a series of materials on the Geneva Summer Theater and the Little Theater of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Series I, E. E. Griffith's papers, contains Griffith's journals from 1955-1993, including two sabbatical journals from 1961-62 and 1968. This series also contains the pages from Griffith's scrapbook, a costume notebook, Griffith's Honorary Degree, and a few other miscellaneous items.

Series II contains biographical materials including the Distinguished Faculty Award biography, newspaper articles and obituaries, congratulatory letters to Griffith, and some information on Griffith's wife Katherine.

Series III contains materials related to the Geneva Summer Theater and the Little Theater. While a faculty member at HWS Griffith was the director of the Little Theater. Materials in this series include theater programs, indexes of where Griffith and the Little Theater are mentioned in the Herald newspaper, Little Theater production lists, and a set of cue cards.

Dates

1946-1995

Creator

Griffith, Edward Everett (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Documents of a personal and confidential nature are closed to researchers in accordance with library policy. These include salary notification letters and acknowledgements.

Biographical Note

Edward Everett Griffith was born on February 4, 1911 in West Winfield, NY. He received a B.E. in English from Ithaca College in 1930. In 1936, he married his wife Katherine "Kay" Louis Filsinger. Griffith taught English and Dramatics at the high school level and toured with the Casford Players for 16 years before he began his teaching career at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1946.

"Griff", as he was affectionately known on campus, arrived at HWS as an Instructor of English. He was appointed Assistant Professor of English and Dramatics in 1949, Associate Professor in 1954, granted tenure in 1957, and appointed Professor in 1962. When he retired in 1976, he was Professor of English and Drama Emeritus. He dedicated 30 years of his life to HWS, during which he was Director of the Little Theatre. There, he produced over 150 successful plays and directed most of them. In 1970, he founded and directed the Geneva Summer Theatre, which would become a prominent, beloved community theatre project.

Upon retirement, Griffith was presented a Citation for Meritorious Service by the Hobart College Alumni Association. The E.E. Griffith Prize, awarded each year to the student who has made the most significant contribution to the Little Theatre, was established in his name. In 1992, Griffith was presented with the Distinguished Faculty Award. He died in 1996.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A collection of Professor E. E. Griffith's personal papers, biographical materials, and materials regarding the Little Theatre, of which he was the Director. The collection spans the years 1946-1995.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series:

Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith papers
Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith biographical material
The Little Theater

Location

Box 1-2: Archives Storage, Range 22A, Section 2

Custodial History

This collection was compiled by the staff of the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Archives and Special Collections from materials in the collection relating to Edward Everett Griffith and the Little Theater. The provenance of the materials that comprise this collection is unclear. Some of the materials, such as Griffith's scrapbook and journals, constitute his personal papers, and were likely donated by Griffith or a relative. Newspaper clippings, play programs, reviews, HWS News Bureau releases, and cue cards relate to the Little Theater and the Geneva Summer Theater.

Subjects

Biographical sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
College teachers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
College theater Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Geneva Summer Theater
Griffith, Edward Everett
Griffith, Kathernine F.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges. -- Faculty
Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Little Theatre
Little theater movement Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Scrapbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Slides (Photography) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Summer theater Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Theater programs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith and the Little Theater collection, 1946-1995: A Finding Aid
Author: Lissa Mele with the Archivist Katie Lamontagne
Date: October 2011
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English