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Creator
Van Druten, John, 1901-1957
Call number
*T-Mss 1958-002
Physical description
2 linear feet (8 boxes) (3 linear feet (3 boxes, 12 vols.))
Preferred Citation

John Van Druten Papers, *T-Mss 1958-002, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The John Van Druten papers consist of diaries, correspondence, writings, scrapbooks and ephemera documenting his life and career. The papers span the years 1901-1957 and give excellent insight into Van Druten's creative processes. Missing from the collection are scripts of his most well-known works. There are however, scripts for some plays including AWAKENING, CHANCE ACQUAINTAINCE, DANCING IN THE CHECKERED SHADE, THE RETURN HALF and SOLITAIRE. The papers also include many other literary forms: essays, parodies and poetry all written by Van Druten.

Biographical/historical information

John Van Druten was born in London, England in 1901. Son of Eve and Wilhemus Van Druten, he demonstrated at a very early age his talent and love of writing. He first piece, written at the age of seven was a three page play about Mary, Queen of Scots. Because his father believed writing to be an unreliable career, Van Druten studied law and qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court Judicature in 1923. Not wanting to practice law he became a lecturer of legal history at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Van Druten continued his writing and realized his real talent in 1925 with the completion and production of his play, Young Woodley. This marked the end of his teaching career and the beginning of his career as a writer and playwright. Thoughout his career as a playwright it was apparent that Van Druten's forte was comedy plays about everyday life. Many of his plays focus on women and their relationships with men. Among his best known works are: I Am a Camera, based on The Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood; The Voice of the Turtle; Bell, Book and Candle; There's Always Juliet; I've Got Sixpence and I Remember Mama. As a director he was acclaimed for his direction of the Broadway production of The King and I.

Van Druten emigrated to the United States and became a citizen in 1944. Most of his creative time was spent writing at his ranch in California, although the New York theater scene was the locale of his greatest successes and triumphs. Van Druten fell ill with heart problems in 1956 from which he never fully recovered. He died in 1957.

Scope and arrangement

The John Van Druten Papers consist of diaries, correspondence, personal papers, ephemera, scrapbooks and writings documenting his life and career. The papers span the years 1901-1957. Photographs were separated and included in B photo files and autographed photograph collection. (See separation sheet). The papers give an excellent insight into Van Druten's creative processes and include much information on his intellectual interests. Missing from the collection are scripts of his most well-known works, rather the collection includes many other literary forms including essays, parodies and poetry.

The John Van Druten papers are arranged in six series:

  • Series I: Diaries,.
    1940-1957
    1 box

    This series includes handwritten and typed diaries describing Van Druten's creative processes, personal life and experiences. Some of the most interesting material in these diaries is the detailed notation concerning the thought process and evolution of his writing. The diaries also include recollections, observations and experiences during his travels as well as introspective commentary on his feelings and beliefs. Some of the typed pages are carbon copies of personal letters to his friend and colleague, Dodie Smith.

  • Series II: Correspondence,.
    1926-1957
    1 box

    Letters includes personal and business correspondence concerning Van Druten's life and career. Much of the correspondence is from famous literary and theatrical personages of his day. Included are: Jocelyn Brooke, Maurice Evans, Christopher Hassall, Aldous Huxley, Margaret Irwin, Gertrude Lawrence, Cathleen Nesbitt, J. B. Priestley, Dame Flora Robson, Alfred Savoir, Margaret Sullavan and Dame Sybil Thorndike.

  • Series III: Personal Papers,.
    1901-1954
    11 folders

    Van Druten's personal papers consist of primary source documents such as birth certificates, naturalization certificates, passports, degrees and certifications. Included is both the naturalization papers for him and his father and his law degree and certificates.

  • Series IV: Ephemera,.
    1923-1953
    8 folders

    Ephemera in this collection includes awards, programs, sketches and photographs. Of special note are photographs of Van Druten's California ranch and a pen and ink sketch from the play The Distaff Side.

  • Series V: Writings.
    2 boxes

    Writings include essays / articles, parodies, plays, poetry and synopses written by John Van Druten. It is undermined whether much of this materials was ever published.

  • Series VI: Scrapbooks
    1924-1930
    3 volumes

    Scrapbooks contains clippings documenting his early works which were produced both in the United States and England. Productions included are The Return of the Soldier; Diversion; Young Woodley and Chance Acquaintance.

Administrative information

Custodial history

The John Van Druten Papers were donated to the Billy Rose Theatre Division in separate installments by Douglas Ebersole and Carter Lodge. The first portion of the gift arrived in 1958 and was processed at that time on an item level. Essays were donated in 1965 by Douglas Ebersole. Correspondence from Cathleen Nesbitt was donated by Carter Lodge and Douglas Ebersole in 1984 with the stipulation that this material remain closed until the death of Ms. Nesbitt. In 1987, the scripts were donated by Douglas Ebersole.

Source of acquisition

Gift, Douglas Ebersole and Carter Lodge, 1958

Processing information

Processed by Mary Ellen Rogan.

In 1993 all portions of the collection were reunited, reprocessed, opened and a finding aid created.

Separated material

  • Auriol Lee
  • Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
  • Peggy Wood
  • Ralph Forbes
  • Christopher Isherwood
  • Cathleen Nesbitt
  • Helen Gahagan
  • Dame May Whitty
  • Maurice Evans
  • Ruth Chatterton
  • Tamara Toumanova
  • George Brent and Ruth Chatterton
  • Group shot (signed by Dorothy Stickney)
  • The King and I rehearsal shot - (B file)
  • John Van Druten - 3 portraits
  • John Van Druten - Vandamm Photographs

See also the following collection of materials:

John Van Druten Papers, ca. 1920-1957. 3 linear feet (3 boxes, 12 vols.) The New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division View finding aid.

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.