John Jacob Niles papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- John Jacob Niles papers
- Date
- 1905-1984 (inclusive)
- Extent
- 45.8 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Aeronautics -- History
- Folk songs, English -- United States.
- Composers -- Correspondence.
- Musicians -- Correspondence.
- Phonodiscs.
- Programs.
- Sheet music.
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations.
- Bert T. Combs Appalachian Collection
- Arrangement
- Organized into the following series: Correspondence, Personal, Career, Manuscripts, Instruments, and Oversized materials. The series are arranged chronologically within topical subseries.
- Preferred Citation
- 82M9: [identification of item], John Jacob Niles papers, 1905-1984, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Composer, Performer, and Author. Niles was born in Louisville in 1892. Coming from a musical family, Niles began to play the dulcimer at an early age. As a teenager he worked with a surveying team in eastern Kentucky. During this time he kept a notebook in which he recorded lyrics and music of old folk songs known in the area. Niles served as a U.S. Army pilot in World War I and made numerous reconnaissance flights until he suffered serious injuries in a plane crash. After the war he studied music at the University of Lyon and the Schola Cantorium in Paris. Niles completed his musical education at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He renewed his search for folk songs in Appalachia as he accompanied noted photographer Doris Ulmann on her travels through the mountain region. He set traditional songs in new arrangements and composed many original songs.
- Scope and Content
- The John Jacob Niles papers (dated 1905-1984; 45.8 cubic ft.; 64 boxes, 6 items) contain correspondence, musical and literary manuscripts, and other materials written or collected by John Jacob Niles. Much of the correspondence is between Niles and his music publisher, G. Schirmer, Inc. Original drafts of Niles choral works, instrumental pieces, orchestral oratorios, song arrangements, and other musical compositions total approximately thirteen cubic feet. A significant portion of these materials is unpublished. The papers contain an interesting series of photographs, including several taken of Niles by well-known photographers such as Van Deren Coke, Alfred Eisenstaedt, George Kossuth, and Doris Ulmann. There are also original photographs taken at the 1903 launching of Orville and Wilbur Wright's airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. There are also a number of World War I era shots of Niles' flying group, The Lafayette Escadrille, and various Niles family pictures.
- Other important items include the diaries and notebooks Niles used to record the folk songs, his World War I scrapbooks, autobiographical notes and drafts, original plays, radio scripts, and manuscripts of his published books. Miscellaneous materials include greeting cards and printed material on Anglo-Saxon balladry.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. Literary rights remain vested in the Niles family. Permission must be obtained to publish or quote extensively.
Contents of the Collection
Correspondence, 1919-1980
Scope and Contents note
The Correspondence Series is divided into three subseries according to general subject. The Personal Correspondence includes letters from John Jacob Niles to Rena Lipetz Niles. Many of these were written while Niles was on tour throughout the United States. The Professional Correspondence contains letters from many prominent figures in the music world as well as detailed information about Niles' own company, Boone Tolliver Records. The General Correspondence consists mainly of letters from various individuals and covers a variety of topics. The material in each of these subseries is arranged chronologically.
Personal, 1933-1962
John Jacob Niles to Roy Flannagan, 1933
John Jacob Niles to Rena Lipetz Niles, 1933-1962
1933
1934 February-December
1935 February 25-April 27
1935 May-December
1936 January-February
1936 March-July
1938 June-August
1940 January-July
1940
Miscellaneous, 1940
1941 March-November
1941
1942 January-July
1942 October-December
1942
Miscellaneous, 1942
1943 February-November
1943
Miscellaneous, 1943
1944 January
1944 February
1944 March-April
1944 May
1944 October-December
1944
Miscellaneous, 1944
1945 January
1945 February-June
1945 July-November
1945
Miscellaneous, 1945
Western tour, 1945
1946 January-March
1946 April-October
1946 November
1946
1947 February-March
1947 June-December
1947
Miscellaneous, 1947
1948 January-March
1948 Jul-October
1948 November-December
1949 January-February
1949 March-May
1949 July-October
1949 November-December
1949
1950 January-March
1950 April-October
1950 November-December
1950
1951 January-March
1951 April-July
1951 October
1951 November- December
1952 February-July
1952 October
1952 November
1952 December
1952
1953 July-August
1953 October
1953 November
1954 January - November
1955 January-June
1955 July-October
1956 March
1956 April
1956 November
1957 January-November
1958 April - August
1959 January-October
1960 May-June
1961 July-October
1962 February-November
1962
Rena Lipetz Niles to John Jacob Niles, 1936-1952
1938 July-August
1938
1940 January-April
1940
1942 July-November
1942
1944 April-May
1945 April
1946 November
1947 November-December
1948 February-March
1948 October
1952 November
undated
Professional, 1936-1979
Frank Long/Leslie Shepard, 1936-1979
Frank Long, 1936-1952
Frank Long, 1953-1977
Leslie Shepard, 1957-1963 April
Leslie Shepard, 1963 May-1964
Typescript of liner notes by Leslie Shepard for Folkways album, 1964 January 14
Liner notes for Folkways album, 1964
Leslie Shepard, 1965-1968
Leslie Shepard, 1970-1979
RCA Victor, 1939-1972
RCA Victor royalty statements, 1941-1975
G. Shirmer, Inc., 1937-1978
1937
1942-1943
1944-1945
1946-1948
1949-1951
1952-1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958 January-February
1958 March-December
1959 January-April
1959 May-December
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964-1965
1966-1970
1971-1972
1973-1978
undated
Miscellaneous letters to G. Shirmer, Inc., undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "Black is the Color", undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "Ef I Had a Ribbon Bow", undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "Go 'Way From My Window", undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "I Wonder as I Wander", undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "Jesus the Christ is Born", undated
Affidavit regarding composition of "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head", undated
G. Shirmer, Inc. royalty statements, 1937-1975
1929-1942
1943-1944
1945-1946
1946-1947
1948-1950
1951-1953
1954-1956
1959-1969
1937-1946
1947-1953
1954-1957
1958-1959
1960-1962
1963-1964
1965-1966
1967
1968-1975
Collaborative efforts, 1946-1951
Boone Tolliver records, 1952-1958
Letters, 1952 February-April
Letters, 1952 May
Letters, 1952-1954
Record orders, 1952 January-July
Record orders, 1952 August-October
Record orders, 1952 November
Record orders, 1952 December
Record orders, 1953 January-February
Record orders, 1953 March
Record orders, 1953 April-May
Record orders, 1953 June-October
Record orders, 1953 November-December
Record orders, 1954 January-February
Record orders, 1954 March-April
Record orders, 1954 May-December
Record orders, 1955-1958
Record orders, undated
Invoices, 1952-1957
Rampart Productions, 1954-1957
General, 1919-1980
1919-1935
1936-1939
1940-1941
1942
1943 January-August
1943 September
1943 October-December
circa 1943
1944
1945-1946
1947
circa 1947
1948
1949
1950
1951 January-May
1951 June-December
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960 January-May
1960 June-December
1961 January-June
1961 July-December
1962 January-June
1962 August-December
1963 January-May
1963 June-November
1963
1964 May-July
1964 August-December
1965 January-April
1965 May-December
1966 January-March
1966 April-June
1966 July-December
1967 January-March
1967 April-August
1967 September-December
1968 January-March
1968 April-December
1969 January-May
1969 June-September
1969 October-December
1970 January-March
1970 April-June
1970 July-October
1970 November-December
1971 January-February
1971 March-July
1971 August-September
1971 October-December
1972 January-April
1972 May-August
1972 September-October
1972 November-December
1973 January-February
1973 March-June
1973 July-October
1973 November-December
1974 January-March
1974 April-June
1974 July-August
1974 September
1974 October-December
1975 January-February
1975 March-May
1975 June-July
1975 August-September
1975 October
1975 November-December
1976 January-June
1976 July-August
1976 September
1976 October-November
1977 January-March
1977 April-June
1977 July-August
1977 September-December
1978 January-March
1978 April-September
1978 October
1978 November-December
1979 January-September
1979-1980
undated
Personal, 1905-1980
Scope and Contents note
The Personal series consists of 53 boxes of material encompassing many aspects of Niles' life. Figuring prominently in this series are the diaries ad field notebooks. Recorded in these volumes are the legends, ballads, traditions, and philosophies of the people Niles encountered during his travels in the Southern Highlands. This series is subdivided into eight categories with the material arranged in chronological order within each subseries.
Journals, notebooks, scrapbooks, 1905-1979
Journal, 1905
Field notebook, 1906
Journal, 1906
Journal, 1907
Journal, 1908
Journal, 1915
Journal, 1918
Notebook, 1919
Scrapbook, 1919
Contents of scrapbook, 1930
Calendar notebook, 1931-1932
Journal, 1932
Ballad transcribed from p. 117 of preceding field notebook, 1932
Field notebook, 1933
Field notebook, 1934
Dialect dictionary, 1934
Farm notebook, 1941
Farm notebook, 1943
Diary, 1944
Journal, circa 1950
Commonplace book, 1963
Calendar notebook, 1964
Calendar notebook, 1965
Calendar notebook, 1966
Notebook, 1969
Notebook, circa 1970s
Journal, 1976
Calendar notebook, 1977
Journal, 1979
Contents of notebook, undated
Field notebook, undated
Dialect dictionary, undated
Contents of notebook, undated
Notebook, undated
Prompt book, undated
Music notebook, 1931
Music notebook, 1932
Music notebook, 1933, 1934
Music notebook, 1950
Doris Ulmann material, 1933-1976
Letters from Doris Ulmann to Allen Eaton, 1933-1934
Notes by Doris Ulmann concerning her will, 1934
Letters from Doris Ulmann to Sarah Blanding, with cover letter from Sarah Blanding to ohn Jacob Niles, undated
Chronicle by John Jacob Niles of events surrounding Doris Ulmann's death., 1934 Aug 2
Photographs by Doris Ulmann, Courier Journal magazine, 2 November 1941
John Jacob Niles, Doris Ulmann: Preface and Recollections.The Call Number, University of Oregon Library, 1958
Craft Horizons, 1966 June
Program for exhibit of Doris Ulmann photographs, Western Carolina University, 1976 April
"Inner Spirit: Doris Ulmann's Photography" by Rena Niles, 1984
Book catalogues containing The Appalachian Photographs of Doris Ulmann, undated
John Jacob Niles, "The Legend of Doris Ulmann," typescript, undated
Handicrafts of the Southern Highlands by Allen H. Eaton, galley proofs, 1937
Handicrafts of the Southern Highlands by Allen H. Eaton, page proofs, 1937
Articles on John Jacob Niles, 1940-1986
"Records for Christmas: Carols of the New World", Victor Records Review, 1940
Borah, Leo. "Kentucky, Boone's Great Meadow" in The National Geographic, 1942 July
Butterfield, Roger. "Folk Singer: John Jacob Niles Makes Rare Music from the Songs and Ballads of Early America." in Life , 1943 Sept 6
"Amerika Singt". Heute (German publication), 1947 July 15
McHugh, Vincent. "Sing Me a Homemade Song."The Magazine of the Year, 1948 January
Stevens, Nelson. "Folk Songs: U.S.A."Arizona Quarterly , 1948
Guthrie, A.B., Jr. "Kentucky". Holiday, 1951 March
"Tragic Troubadour". Coronet, 1951 July
"Ballads and Blackberries." The American Magazine, 1956 February
Batiuk, Taras. "The Art of John Jacob Niles."East Magazine, 1958
Arnold, Olga and Judy Catlin. "American Folk Singer."America Illustrated, 1959
Nash, Gordon. "John Jacob Niles ."Kentucky Composers , 1964
Lancaster, Thomas. "John Jacob Niles on Choral Participation in Folk Music."American Choral Review, 1966 June
Travis, James. "A Voice from Kentucky" draft with corrections by Rena Niles; final copy, 1969
Travis, James. "John Jacob Niles: A Voice from Kentucky" Southern Living, 1969 June
Holroyd, Sara. "John Jacob Niles: Renaissance Man."Bluegrass Music News, 1972 April-May
Coppage, Noel "John Jacob Niles." Stereo Review , 1975 January
Hinshaw, Donald. "Contemporary Composers: John Jacob Niles."Journal of Church Music., 1976 October
Niles, Rena. "In the fall '33." Bluegrass Woman, 1976 winter
Winland, Lorraine. "A Luncheon with John Jacob Niles"Kentucky Monthly, 1979 Oct
Johnson, Helen Shea. "John Jacob Niles: The Minstrel of Boone Creek."Music Journal, 1980 Jan/Feb
Roberts, Jacqueline Warnick. "In Memoriam: John Jacob Niles."Bluegrass Music News , 1980 May
Nash, Alanna. "John Jacob Niles: His Legend Lives On."Frets, 1980 June
Burg, David. "John Jacob Niles. "The Kentucky Review, 1980
"John Jacob Niles." Sing Out!, 1980
Kidd, Andrew Jason. "John Jacob Niles: A True Son of Kentucky."Kentcuky Heritage, 1981 Spring
Nash, Alanna. "John Jacob Niles: A Song from the Heart."Beaux Arts, 1981 Summer
"John Jacob Niles." St. Martins Press, 1981
Blomstedt, Erik. "John Jacob Niles, Dean of American Balladeers."Dulcimer Players News, 1982 Summer
Niles, Rena Lipetz. "The Songs of John Jacob Niles."NATS Bulletin, 1983 March/April
"The Niles-meron Songs." NATS Bulletin , 1983 March/April
Article for New Harmon Festival of Music, 1983 August
"John Jacob Niles." the Kentucky Review, 1983 Autumn
Niles, Rena. "On the Road with John Jacob Niles."High Roads Folio, 1986
"Two Kentucky Folk Singers: John Jacob Niles and Jean Ritchie" Focus on Folk Songs, undated
Papers on John Jacob Niles, 1951-1975
Draft of an article on the oratorio Lamentation by William R. Moody, 1951
Essays by school children, 1961-1968
Essays by school children, 1972-1973
Gobar, Ash. "Letter on the Philosophy of Being", 1973 December
Essays by school children, 1974 March 13
Gobar, Ash. "Notes on the Poetry of John Jacob Niles", 1975 April
Student term papers, 1975 April 17, July 7
Students' impression of John Jacob Niles concert, undated
Burg, David. "A Tribute to John Jacob Niles", undated
Personal memorabilia, 1918-1967
Certificate of appoinment to First Lt. in Air Service, 1918 May
Large map showing French front lines, 1918 July-September
Reproduction of map showing Meuse-Argonne offensive, 1st American Army and reproduction of a map showing Aisne-marine and St. Mihail offensives, 1st American Army, 1918, 1937
Honorable discharge and service record, 1919
The Wing Slip, 1925, 1930
Roster of World War I overseas flyers and revised booklet, 1972, 1978
Aviators Post Directory of members, 1945
Masonic demit, 1921
Engraved business card used early in John Jacob Niles' career and original engraving plate, 1920s
Notes of introduction to England, circa 1930s
Handwritten will by John Jacob Niles, 1937 June 15
Announcement of John Edward Niles' birth, 1945 May 21
Pamphlet on Victor Hammer; works printed in Hammer-designed type., undated
Piano solo, "The Dulcimer" dedicated to John Jacob Niles, undated
Published music owned by John Jacob Niles, undated
Poetry sent to or written for John Jacob Niles, including poem by Henrietta Child., 1936-1938; 1974; 1980
Recipes collected by John Jacob Niles, undated
Postcard collection, undated
Jacqueline Roberts repertoire of John Jacob Niles's music, undated
Blueprint of pony barn, 1973 October 3
Brown paper pattern for dulcimer parts, dulicmer strings., undated
Case knife used in dramatic presentation of ballads, undated
Woodcuts by John Jacob Niles, 1930, 1938, undated
Various hand stamps, undated
Letter from Joseph Mayer to Mr. Smith, 1887 October 8
New Testament , 1917
Promissory note to John Jacob Niles, 1925 June 2
Placecard, 1933 July 10
Handwritten music manuscript book inscribed by Andrew Murdock. Cover letter to JJN., 1824, 1937 October 12
Passports, 1930, 1936
Large map of London underground system, circa 1930s
"Kentucky is my Land" by Jesse Stuart, 1950
WFMT program guide, 1956
Script for children's play, 1965
The Anglican Breviary. Gift of Burrel Farnsley, 1967
Promotional material and sample program fo the Misses Fuller, English folksingers, undated
Placecard for Mr. and Mrs. Frank McVey, undated
Veda, undated
Clippings
Clippings of man who resembled John Jacob Niles' father, undated
Maps, undated
Miscellaneous, undated
Publication dates of John Jacob Niles' music, 1929-1946
Publication dates of John Jacob Niles' music, 1947-1951
Copyrights for "Gambling Songs" and other compositions, 1933-1934
Christmas cards, 1938-1980
1938
1940
1941
1950-1952
1953
1955
1956
1957
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
undated
Christmas cards designed by John Jacob Niles, 1934-1973
Christmas card lists, undated
Greeting cards, 1953-1979
Birthday, 1963-1979
1963, 1967
1969
1972
1973
1974
1975
1977
1979
Obituaries and related materials, 1980
Obituaries, 1980
Lexington Herald Leader, 1980 March 2
Louisville Courier Journal , 1980 March 2
1980 March 3
1980 March 4
1980 March 9, 14, 16
1980 Spring
Sympathy notes, 1980
1980 March 2
1980 March 3
1980 March 4
1980 March 5
1980 March 6
1980 March 7
1980 March 8-9
1980 March 10
1980 March 11
1980 March 12
1980 March 13
1980 March 14-15
1980 March 17-19
1980 March 20, 22, 24-25
1980 March 26-29
1980 April 1, 5
1980 April 7, 30
1980 May 1, 12-13, 16
undated
Related materials, 1980
Letters of condolence, 1980 March 27-November 20
Correspondence acknowledging contributions to John Jacob Niles scholarship fund, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, list of contributors, 1980 March 7-November 14
Notes accompanying gifs and flowers, 1980 March
Guest book and order for funeral service, 1980 March 3
Memorial programs, 1980 March 9-April 28
Acknowledgment card printed by King Library Press, undated
Lists of those who sent notes, food, flowers, undated
Dried flowers, undated
Career, 1914-1984
Scope and Contents note
The Career series contains twenty-nine boxes of concert programs, newspaper clippings, and promotional material documenting Niles' life as a performer.
Concert programs, 1914-1983
1914, 1920-1921
1931-1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
Program inserts, undated
Song lists for John Jacob Niles' concerts, undated
Prompt sheets, circa 1930s-present
Concert programs with John Jacob Niles' handwritten notes, undated
undated
Programs from events attended, 1941-1979
1941-1942, 1947, 1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969-70
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977-1979
undated
Tour and itineraries, 1937-1979
Fall concert tour, 1937 October-December
1944-1979
Clippings, schedules, programs from Alaskan tour, 1962
Notes on Canadian tour, undated
Notes, rough itineraries, undated
Names and addresses obtained while on tour, undated
Newspaper clippings, 1928-1984
1928, 1931-1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
undated
Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, 1927-1943
Promotional material, 1961-1982
Promotional play, 1961 April
Concert tours managed by Boo Hill Farm, 1972
Benefit concert for University of Kentucky Art Museum, 1978 March 28
Concert tours managed by various agencies, undated
Boone Tolliver Record Company, undated
Disc records, undated
RCA Victor, undated
Tradition Records, undated
Appalshop Films, undated
Carl Fischer, Inc., undated
Mark Foster Music Company, undated
G. Shirmer, Inc., undated
Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, undated
Special events and awards, 1955-1984
Kentucky Colonels Derby eve dinner, program and tickets, 1955
Transylvania College performance: clippings and programs, 1966 November 30
Niles-Merton Song Cycle; correspondence, clippings, and performances, 1968-1975
World premiere program, Golgotha, 1971 March 30
Commencement program, University of Louisville, honorary doctor of Humanities, 1971 May 16
Commencement program from University of Kentucky, honorary doctor of letters, 1973 May 12
Honorary Certificate of Citizenship for Boonesborough Bicentennial Celebration, undated
Lexington Opera House grand opening, correspondence, contracts, programs, 1976 May 18
Invitation to dedication of JJN collection, University of Kentucky, 1983 April 28
Exhibition schedule at University of Kentucky Art Museum, undated
Certificates of appreciation, undated
Kentucky Center for the Arts opening night, program, 1983 November 19
10th Annual Celebration of traditional music, schedule, poster, 1984 November 1-4
Notices and announcements of work and biographical material, 1943-1984
Instructional material, 1942-1951
Indiana University catalogues, 1942 June-August
University of Denver catalogue, 1943 July
Julliard School catalogue, bibliography, 1945 Summer
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music catalogue, 1950
Boston University catalogue, 1951
Alice Lloyd College bulletin, undated
University of Missouri progress report, undated
University of Kansas City course description, bibliography, undated
History of Folk Ballad and Carol, bibliography, undated
Manuscripts, 1926-1980
Scope and Contents note
John Jacob Niles' creative works including music compositions, books, prose, poetry, radio programs, articles, and plays comprise the Manuscript series.
The Music manuscript subseries is comprised of twenty-nine boxes of original manuscripts and published music. These works are categorized according to the instrument for which they are written and arranged alphabetically in each category. Differing slightly in arrangement from the rest of the series is the Niles-Merton Song Cycle. Though originally written for solo voice and piano, there are also choral arrangements of some of these songs. Consequently, the entire work is arranged alphabetically by song title so that all versions of a song may be found together. Untitled works and incomplete sketches are described at the close of the series.
The Books manuscript subseries consists of 45 boxes of manuscripts divided into five subseries and arranged chronologically. The series includes Song My Mother Never Taught Me, a collection of World War I Army songs, The Ballad Book. Niles' most widely acclaimed literary effort; and his unfinished Autobiography. Correspondence and other related materials are filed within each subseries.
The Plays manuscript subseries consists of seven boxes. The material is arranged chronologically. Those manuscripts which are undated are listed alphabetically. The radio programs manuscript series consists of two boxes. This material is arranged chronologically by broadcast date. Most notable in this series are the radio programs entitled "Salute to the Hills." These programs, prepared by John Jacob Niles, were a part of the University of Kentucky's experiment in directed broadcasting.
The Articles manuscript subseries consists of two boxes of magazine and newspaper articles by John Jacob Niles. This material is arranged chronologically. The miscellaneous manuscript series consists of three boxes. Contained in this series are typed and handwritten notes, reflections, and observations by John Jacob Niles in the form of prose and poetry.