Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard W. Lewis papers

Abstract

The Richard W. Lewis papers (dated 1946-1976, undated; 1.8 cubic feet; 4 boxes) comprise interview notes and transcripts, article rough drafts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and research materials that document the writing process of Richard Lewis in the mid-twentieth century in Hollywood.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard W. Lewis papers
Date
1946-1976, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Lewis, Richard Warren, 1932-1998
Extent
1.8 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Celebrities -- United States
Journalists -- Correspondence
Journalists -- Interviews
Military life.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0481: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: RIchard W. Lewis papers, 1946-1976, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Richard Warren Lewis (1932-1998) was born in Vermont to John Lewis (b. 909) and Charlotte Lane (b. 1910). The family lived in Queens in New York City, where John worked as a freelance writer. After finishing high school, Richard went on to attend the University of Michigan and studied political science as well as serving in the Army. Lewis made his career as an author and journalist, writing for several newspapers and magazines such as the LA Times, TV Guide, Playboy, Playgirl, People, Life, and Saturday Evening Post. He also wrote many anthologies and nonfiction works such as "The Scavengers and Critics of the Warren Report". In 1983, Lewis married Glenda K. Edwards (b. 1952). Lewis passed away in Hancock, New Hampshire in 1998.
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 Richard W. Lewis papers (dated 1946-1976, undated; 1.8 cubic feet; 4 boxes) comprise interview notes and transcripts, article rough drafts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and research materials that document the writing process of Richard Lewis in the mid-twentieth century in Hollywood. Lewis wrote articles on a number of celebrities, including Lee Marvin, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Debbie Reynolds, and Barbra Streisand. The interview notes and transcripts include the various questions asked by Lewis for his articles, biographies of the persons, and contact with close associates and employees. Lewis also wrote about TV shows, movies, music, and the Hollywood social scene. Each file is a separate article written by Lewis. Also included in the collection are check statements, mainly from Playboy, reimbursing him for expenses and paying him his writing fees, along with a few letters written to his parents while he was stationed in Japan serving in the US Army in the 1950s.
The Richard Lewis papers 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

Chuck Ashman, 1975-1976, undated

  • Box 1, folder 1
To top

Bill Cosby, 1966-1969, undated

  • Box 1, folder 2
To top

Country music, 1957-1966, undated

  • Box 1, folder 3-5
To top

Anne Francis, 1965-1974, undated

  • Box 1, folder 6
To top

Ben Gazzara, 1964-1966, undated

  • Box 1, folder 7
To top

General article research and notes, 1963-1971, undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
To top

Elliot Gould, 1969-1970, undated

  • Box 1, folder 9
To top

Robert Goulet, 1962-1966, undated

  • Box 1, folder 10
To top

Andy Griffith, 1968, undated

  • Box 1, folder 11
To top

Helter Skelter film, 1974-1976, undated

  • Box 2, folder 1
To top

Jill St. John, 1962-1964, undated

  • Box 2, folder 2
To top

Ernie Kovacs, 1961, undated

  • Box 2, folder 3
To top

"Lassie" TV show, 1960-1965, undated

  • Box 2, folder 4
To top

Jack Lemmon, 1962-1965, undated

  • Box 2, folder 5
To top

Meredith MacRae, 1963-1970, undated

  • Box 2, folder 6
To top

Lee Marvin, 1963-1968, undated

  • Box 2, folder 7
To top

Mitch Miller, 1946-1963, undated

  • Box 3, folder 1-3
To top

Paul Newman, 1964-1968, undated

  • Box 3, folder 4
To top

Jack Nicholson, 1969-1972, undated

  • Box 3, folder 5
To top

Night clubs, 1961-1962, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
To top

Carroll O'Connor, 1971-1972, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
To top

Claes Oldenburg, 1971, undated

  • Box 3, folder 8
To top

"Peyton Place" TV show, 1964-1969, undated

  • Box 3, folder 9-10
To top

Stefanie Powers, 1964-1966, undated

  • Box 4, folder 1
To top

Juliet Powse, 1963-1965, undated

  • Box 4, folder 2
To top

Debbie Reynolds, 1960-1966, undated

  • Box 4, folder 3
To top

Jay Sebring, 1964-1966, undated

  • Box 4, folder 4
To top

Connie Stevens, 1966-1974, undated

  • Box 4, folder 5
To top

Barbra Streisand, 1963-1969, undated

  • Box 4, folder 6
To top

Check statements, 1968-1971

  • Box 4, folder 7
To top

Richard Lewis to parents, 1956-1957, undated

  • Box 4, folder 8
To top

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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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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.