Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

William D. Eppes Collection, ca. 1908-1998, Accession #10582-g, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to the Library by William David Eppes of New York, New York, on December 8, 1997.

Biographical/Historical Information

William David Eppes, civic worker and writer, was born in Goodwater, Alabama, in 1918. He was educated at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, William and Mary College, George Peabody College--Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami, the University of Manchester (England), Columbia University, New York University, and the University of Durham (England). Eppes was a founder of the Film Classics League, St. Petersburg, Florida; Backstage Gallery, St. Petersburg Junior College; and the Littlebury Eppes Memorial Library, Westover, Virginia. He served on the boards of St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra and the Association of Village Homeowners (New York); Associates of Earl Greg Swem Library, William and Mary College; the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board; and, the Greenwich Village Trust for Historic Preservation, Inc. He is also a member of the Theatre Historic Society; Authors' Guild, Inc.; The Drama League; and, the Society of the Descendants of Francis Eppes I of Virginia. Books authored by Eppes are: The Empire Theatre 1893-1953 , Gertrude Michael - A Star of the Golden Age of Hollywood , and, Montgomery Theatre 1822- 1985 .

Scope and Content Information

This collection of ca. 2310 items, 1908-1998, pertains chiefly to persons in the arts and was compiled by William D. Eppes. Eppes maintained autograph letters files which include correspondence, memorabilia, photographs, and printed material by or about persons in the fine arts, theatre, literary and political worlds. In the folder of William D. Eppes correspondence, there are lists of persons represented in this collection and Eppes' notes on portions of the collection. He also kept a file of printed obituaries and tributes to persons in the arts and other venues. Printed memorabilia includes playbills, programs, announcements, and poster replicas for theaters chiefly in New York City.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.