Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edwin C. Ranck papers

Abstract

The Edwin C. Ranck papers (dated 1880-1936, undated; 0.09 cubic feet; 2 folders, 7 items) comprises papers and photographs that document the life and family of Edwin C. Ranck of Kentucky and New York at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edwin C. Ranck papers
Date
1880-1936, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Ranck, Edwin Carty, 1879-
Extent
0.09 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Military orders
Journalists.
World War, 1914-1918.
Families.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.1009: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Edwin C. Ranck papers, 1880-1936, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Edwin Carty Ranck (1879-1957) was born in Lexington, Kentucky to George W. Ranck (1841-1901) and Helen Carty (1846-1934). He was educated at private schools and then attended Harvard. He worked as a newspaper man in 1898, and was on the staff of newspapers in Lexington and Covington, Kentucky. He wrote for and was the dramatic editor of Cincinnati Post, 1906; St. Louis Star, 1907-1908; and Brooklyn Eagle 1916-1918. He lived in Boston and New York while working for the newspapers.
Ranck was a dramatist, short story writer, and a dramatic critic and was published in numerous newspapers and magazines. Poetry and drama were his chief interests. His first published story was The Chosen People in Lippincott's Magazine, September 1906. His major works include: History of Covington (1903), Poems for Pale People: A Volume of Verse (1906), The Night Riders (1912) and The Doughboys' Book (1919). He wrote many plays and short stories as well.
In 1915, he married Reita Lambert (1891-1979) and together they had at least one child, Martha (b. 1919).
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 Edwin C. Ranck papers (dated 1880-1936, undated; 0.09 cubic feet; 2 folders, 7 items) comprises papers and photographs that document the life and family of Edwin C. Ranck of Kentucky and New York at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century. The papers include letters sent to Ranck discussing professional meetings, personal lives, publication of writing, inclusion into the Library of Congress, and thanks for his assistance. There are a number of military documents as well, showing Ranck's compliance with the draft, and many letters of introduction for him serving as a special correspondent with the Brooklyn Daily Eagle covering the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe in 1918. The photographs show the Ranck family, Edwin and siblings, his parents, and extended relatives.
The Edwin C. Ranck papers collection is 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

Letters to Edwin C. Ranck, 1908-1936

  • Box WH-131, folder 3
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Military papers, 1918

  • Box WH-131, folder 4
To top

Photographs, 1880-1899, undated

  • Box WH-100, item 1-7
To top

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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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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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.