Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Lila H. Robinson letters

Abstract

The Lila H. Robinson letters (dated 1893-1931, bulk 1917-1918; 0.08 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters that document the life of a young, well-to-do woman during World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Lila H. Robinson letters
Date
1893-1931 (inclusive)
1917-1918 (bulk)
Creator
Robinson, Lila H., 1894-1979
Extent
0.08 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Courtship
Letters.
Women -- United States -- Social conditions.
Women -- Kentucky.
World War, 1914-1918.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0093: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Lila H. Robinson letters, 1893-1931, bulk 1917-1918 University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Lila H. Robinson (1894-1979) was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Arthur Lee Robinson (1864-1929), a wholesale druggist, and Helen Perrin Robinson (1874-1958). Coming from a well-to-do family, she travelled extensively to places such as Andover, Massachusetts; San Francisco, California; and Lake Placid, New York. She volunteered with the Red Cross at some point in the late 1910s, but due to a mystery ailment, she went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 1918. She eventually married Eugene Dubose Hill (1889-1982), who she corresponded with during World War I, and together they had two sons – Lee (1922-2002) and Eugene, Jr. (1926-2008).
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 Lila H. Robinson letters (dated 1893-1931, bulk 1917-1918; 0.08 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters that document the life of a young, well-to-do woman during World War I. Robinson received correspondence from family, friends, and a few male suitors. Most of the letters contain references to fashions, an upcoming family wedding, news and trip details from friends and family, courtship, and her poor health.
The Lila H. Robinson 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
The 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

Lila H. Robinson letters, 1893 October 9-1917 February 28

  • Box 51, folder 1
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Lila H. Robinson letters, 1917 March 1-1931 August 23

  • Box 51, folder 2
To top

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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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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.