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Creator
Aarons Family
Call number
*T-Mss 2010-021
Physical description
.9 linear feet (3 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Aarons Family papers, *T-Mss 2010-021. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

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

The Aarons Family papers (circa 1870-1979) mainly document the career of the producer Alfred E. Aarons, as well as his family life with the vocalist Leila Hughes and their children. A small amount of papers pertains to Alfred's children: Ruth Aarons and Alexander A. Aarons.

Biographical/historical information

Alfred E. Aarons (1865-1936) was a theatrical producer, director, composer, and lyricist. His career began in Philadelphia before he moved to New York, where he produced or wrote music for 17 plays and musicals from 1900 to 1933.

Aarons's son from his first marriage was Alexander A. Aarons (1890-1943), who was also a well-known producer, often associated with George Gershwin.

Alfred Aarons's second wife was a light opera singer named Leila Hughes who appeared in five Broadway productions between 1912 and 1915. She retired from performing after marrying Aarons and bore two children, Lisle and Ruth.

Ruth Hughes Aarons (1918-1980) was the only U.S. player ever to win a World Singles Championship in table tennis, and later became a successful artist manager.

Scope and arrangement

The Aarons Family papers (circa 1870-1979) mainly document the career of Alfred E. Aarons, as well as his family life with Leila Hughes and their children. A small amount of papers pertains to Ruth Aarons and Alexander Aarons. The collection contains photographs, scrapbooks, sheet music, writings, and keepsakes belonging to Alfred Aarons. Most of the collection dates from the 1900s to 1945.

The photographs contain formal and informal prints of Alfred Aarons and Leila Hughes, and prints of their children and home life, as well as of their house. Also present are signed prints of actors and impresarios, autographed to Aarons (and in one case to Ruth Aarons). Subjects of the autographed prints include Winthrop Ames, Stanley Ridges, Roberta Beatty, George Christie, Malcolm Douglass, Gilbert Miller, Charles Previn, George Ade, Diana Bourbon, Tom Wise, and Irene Delroy.

The three unbound scrapbooks, dating from 1906 to 1945, mostly document Alfred Aarons's career through programs, clippings, handbills, honors, certificates, awards, obituaries, and condolence letters. They also contain programs for Leila Hughes; a letter from and photograph of Ruth Aarons; and an obituary for Alexander Aarons.

The sheet music is for two songs from shows produced by Alexander Aarons: "To Know You Is To Love You" from Hold Everything!, and "Luckiest Man In the World" from Pardon My English.

The writings contain poetry by Ruth Aarons, as well as her ASCAP membership certificate, and a travel diary by Leila Hughes.

The collection also holds medals and keepsakes belonging to Alfred Aarons. These are located in the *T-Cabinet.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by format.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Janis Uhley, 2009.

Processing information

Compiled by Matthew Snyder, 2015

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 information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.