Dorothy Love Elliott papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Dorothy Love Elliott papers
- Date
- 1926-1941, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Elliott, Dorothy Love, 1917-1979
- Extent
- 0.45 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Acting -- Study and teaching
- Fraternities and sororities -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Photographs
- Theater -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Theater -- Study and teaching
- Women college students -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Elliott, Dorothy Love, 1917-1979
- University of Kentucky. Department of English
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by format.
- Preferred Citation
- 2022ua058 : [identification of item], Dorothy Love Elliott papers, 1926-1941, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Dorothy Love Elliott McClelland (1917-1979) was born on June 17, 1917, in Lexington, Kentucky. Elliott attended Ward Belmont College (Nashville, Tennessee) and the University of Kentucky (1939-1941), graduating with a degree in English Drama. Her father was Lexington dentist and University of Kentucky graduate and football player, E. Conley Elliott (1898-1962). Her mother was Mary Louise Love (1883-1969) from Nashville, Tennessee. Elliott married Edwin Rhodes "Mac" McClelland in Lexington, Ky., on December 17, 1942, and changed her name to Dorothy Elliott McClelland. Edwin and Dorothy had three children, Edwin Rhodes McClelland, Jr., Richard Elliott McClelland, and Robert Love McClelland. McClelland worked as a homemaker and a volunteer. She was president of the St. Alban's Women's Club (in West Virginia) and was West Virginia Club Woman of the Year in 1963-1964. Dorothy McClelland died on December 17, 1979, in Charleston, Wv. Edwin Rhodes McClelland was born in Brooklyn, West Virginia, on December 31, 1915, and died in South Charleston, West Virginia, in April 1985. McClelland obtained his BA from West Virginia University in 1939 and his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1946. He was an attorney in West Virginia. Both McClellands are buried in the Lexington Cemetery.
- Sources: 1. Biographical information sheets in collection file. 2. "Dorothy Love Elliott," ancestry.com, searched on 9/29/2022. 3. 2018ua032: "Elliott, E. Conley," University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center. University Archives General Reference Alumni/Student Biographical Files.
- Scope and Content
- The Dorothy Love Elliott papers (dated 1926-1941, undated; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 document box) primarily comprise photographs, programs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and books documenting Dorothy Love Elliott's undergraduate and graduate student activities as an actor and director in the Guignol Players at the University of Kentucky Guignol Theatre, 1938-1941. Also includes Elliott's freshman year "K-Book," 1939; two photographs of Delta Delta Delta sorority members and house mother, 1939 and undated; three photographs of "Mac" McClelland as Rick Connor in an undated production of Philadelphia Story; and book of "Songs of Pi Kappa Alpha," 1927. The books about theatre and drama used by Elliott in her studies at UK are: The Book of Play Production by Milton Smith, 1926; and A Player's Handbook by Samuel Selden, 1935. Both are inscribed with Elliott's name and the former includes handwritten notes on the back of the front cover.
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. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
"University of Kentucky K-Book", 1935-1936
Photograph of graduation ceremony on Stoll Field/McLean Stadium, 1940?
Program and photograph of the "The Male Animal," Guignol Players production at the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, 1941 May 29
- Box 1, folder 3
Scope and Contents
Directed by Frank Fowler. Dorothy Love Elliott played the role of Myrtle Keller.
Photographs (2 items) of Guignol Players production, unidentified play (Elliott was actor), undated
Photographs (3 items) of Guignol Players production, unidentified play (Elliottt was director), undated
Telegrams (2 items), 1941 October 27
- Box 1, folder 6
Scope and Contents
Telegram 1: From Elliott ("Dot") to E.R. McClelland at Guignol Theatre, "OK Jimmy Stewart Lets See You Win the Academy Award." Telegram 2: From "Tracy" to "Mike" at Guignol Theatre, "If I Survive Interview Will be Entirely Courtesy Gentleman From Southbend. You're Doing a Swell Job Mike."
Letter from LL Dantzler to Elliott regarding a graduate assistantship at the Guignol Theatre, 1940 May 10
Letter from "Sally" to "Dottie dear" on opening night of "You Can't Take It With You", 1939 October 30
- Box 1, folder 8
Scope and Contents
Sally writes, "...You and I understand about these theatre memories and know how treasurered they are...."
Newspaper clippings about Elliott (2 items), undated
- Box 1, folder 9
Scope and Contents
Includes clipping about party given at the Guignol Theatre in honor of Elliott as bride-elect, including names of guests; and an announcement and head shot of Elliott appearing in the Guignol play, "Growing Pains."
Photographs of sorority Delta Delta Delta members and housemother, posed in front of their sorority house (2 items), 1939, undated
Photographs of Erwin "Mac" McClelland as "Mike Connor" in Philadelphia Story (3 items), undated
- Box 1, folder 12
Scope and Contents
Includes handwritten notes by McClelland about his performance in the play and a full list of cast members.
Photograph of the University of Kentucky Main Building/Administration Building, undated
Guignol Theatre programs (7 items), 1938-1941
- Box 1, folder 14
Scope and Contents
Includes Idiot's Delight (week of March 14, 1938); Stage Door (week of April 25, 1938); You Can't Take it With You (week of October 30, 1939); Volpone (week of December 4, 1939); Reunion in Vienna (week of April 22, 1940); and Kind Lady (week of February 10, 1941).
Songs of Pi Kappa Alpha (New York: Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc.), 1927
The Book of Play Production by Milton Smith (New York: D. Appleton-Century Company, Inc.), 1926
- Box 1
Scope and Contents
Inscribed with Elliott's name and address at Ward-Belmont College. Also includes handwritten notes on the inside of the front cover.
A Player's Handbook: The Theory and Practice of Acting by Samuel Selden (New York: F.S. Crofts & Co.), 1934
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Table of Contents
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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.
Requests
No items have been requested.
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.
