David Lovett Papers
Scope and Contents
The David Lovett Papers include Lovett's unpublished literary manuscripts, his published dissertation and the first two issues of "The Voice of Levindale", photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, student's recollections of Lovett, and a booklet titled "The David Lovett Collection," with an introductory biographical essay by David Kairys.
Dates
- Creation: 1920-2006
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1930-1950
Creator
- Lovett, David (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
David Lovett was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 5, 1907, into a working-class Jewish family. He attended public schools and was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor's degree in 1927 and a PhD in English in 1932.
In his mid twenties, Lovett began suffering from an illness that was later diagnosed as Parkinson's disease. Despite his failing health, Lovett pursued his academic vocation and joined the Whitman College English faculty in 1936. When he arrived in Walla Walla, Lovett was surprised to discover that he was the only Jew among the faculty and students. Nevertheless, Lovett thrived and immensely enjoyed his time at Whitman.
After two years, due to declining health, Lovett left Whitman and returned east. He was not able to work regularly and became a resident of the Levindale Hebrew Home and Infirmary, where in 1947 he started a literary periodical, "The Voice of Levindale." Lovett died in January 1950.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
David Lovett was a Whitman College English professor in the 1930s. This collection includes his literary manuscripts, correspondence, and other personal papers.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by David Kairys, December 2006. The accession number is 2006-016.
Subject
- Whitman College (Organization)
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the David Lovett Papers
- Author
- Michael Paulus
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Whitman College and Northwest Archives Repository