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Creator
Ross, Lillian, 1918-2017
Call number
MssCol 186299
Physical description
5 linear feet (4 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
The Typewriters of Lillian Ross and William Shawn, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Lillian Ross (1918-2017) was a journalist, and William Shawn (1907-1992) was an editor, both long associated with The New Yorker. Beginning in 1950 the two began a relationship that would last until Shawn's death. The Typewriters of Lillian Ross and William Shawn consist of four typewriters: two Olivetti machines belonging to Ross and two matching Olympia machines belonging to Ross and Shawn.

Biographical/historical information

Lillian Ross (1918-2017) was a journalist and author who was a staff writer at The New Yorker from 1945 to 2012. One of the originators of literary journalism, Ross wrote over five hundred pieces for The New Yorker, many for "Talk of the Town." William Shawn (1907-1992) was a journalist and editor who worked at The New Yorker for over fifty years. Shawn began as a fact checker in 1933 and became managing editor in 1939. After the death of founding editor, Harold Ross, in 1951, Shawn was made editor of the magazine in 1952, a position he held until 1987.

The two began a relationship in 1950 that would last until Shawn's death. Throughout the relationship, Shawn remained married and maintained an apartment with his wife, Cecille Lyon, while also maintaining an apartment with Ross.

Scope and arrangement

The Typewriters of Lillian Ross and William Shawn consist of four typewriters from the home and office of Lillian Ross.

The Olivetti Lexikon 80 is a 1952 model, noted for its sleek modernist design by the Italian industrial designer, Marcello Nizzoli.

The Olivetti Lettera 25 is a 1970s portable model used by Ross while traveling.

The matching Olympia SG1's are 1950s models which occupied The New Yorker offices of Ross and Shawn. When Shawn left the magazine in 1987, he took both typewriters to Ross' apartment.

The typewriters are listed alphabetically.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Purchased from Funke Literary in 2023.

Processing information

Processed by Christopher Arena in 2024.

Related Material

William Shawn papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

New Yorker records, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328

Access restrictions

Typewriter are currently unavailable to the public.