Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters

Abstract

The Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters (dated 1943-1945; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise letters that document the long-distance relationship between Ralph and Eileen while he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and she was in Chicago, Illinois during World War II.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters
Date
1943-1945 (inclusive)
Creator
Mannott, Ralph W., 1920-1955
Extent
0.45 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Employment -- Illinois.
Family.
Illinois
Letters.
Long-distance relationships.
Love-letters
Man-woman relationships -- United States -- 20th century
Marriage
Military life.
Pregnancy
Women -- employment
World War, 1939-1945.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject and chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0374: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters, 1943-1945, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Ralph William Mannott (1920-1955) was born in Chicago, Illinois to John Mannott (b. 1889) and Helen Luer (b. 1887). In 1943, Mannott married Eileen McCarthy (1919-1989). During World War II Mannott served in the Navy and was stationed near Honolulu. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters (dated 1943-1945; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise letters that document the long-distance relationship between Ralph and Eileen while he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and she was in Chicago, Illinois during World War II. In Ralph's letters to Eileen, he writes about missing her, running into friends stationed near him, his duties at the base, his thoughts on when the war might end, and his excitement at becoming a father. Eileen writes in her letters on finding employment, moving apartments, seeing friends and family, missing Ralph, news from Chicago, and her thoughts and feelings on being pregnant while he is away. There are also a few letters to Ralph from his parents and uncle, updating him on their lives.
The Ralph and Eileen Mannott letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Eileen Mannott to Ralph Mannott, 1943

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Eileen Mannott to Ralph Mannott, 1944 January - March

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Eileen Mannott to Ralph Mannott, 1944 April - December

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Eileen Mannott to Ralph Mannott, 1945

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Ralph Mannott to Eileen Mannott, 1943

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Ralph Mannott to Eileen Mannott, 1944 January - June

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Ralph Mannott to Eileen Mannott, 1944 July - December

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Ralph Mannott to Eileen Mannott, 1945

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Family to Ralph Mannott, 1944-1945

  • Box 1, folder 9
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.