Thornton Wilder letters

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 6082

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of correspondence between Elfrida “Elfy” Stoeger-Joseph, her former husband Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph, and Thornton Wilder, 1945-2011, with the bulk of the correspondence dating from 1945 to 1974. The collection also contains memorials for Elfy upon her death, and a few photographs. Topics discussed in the letters include opera, writing, film, and every day matters. The letters provide a small glimpse of the lives of Elfrida, Rudolph, and Wilder.

Dates

Creation: 1946 - 1962

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical note

Thornton Wilder was an American writer and a graduate of Yale and Princeton. He won three Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of America’s great literary talents. Elfrida Stoeger-Joseph and Rudolph Joseph were friends of Wilder's, who divorced in 1974. Wilder maintained an epistolary friendship with Elfy after the divorce.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of correspondence between Elfrida “Elfy” Stoeger-Joseph, her former husband Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph, and Thornton Wilder, 1945-2011. The correspondence of this collection ranges from about 1945 to 1974, which also corresponds to the years of Elfy and Rudy's marriage. Topics discussed in the letters include opera, writing, film, and every day matters. The letters provide a small glimpse of the lives of Elfrida, Rudolph, and Wilder. Thornton Wilder was an American writer and a graduate of Yale and Princeton. He won three Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of America’s great literary talents. Elfrida Stoeger-Joseph and Rudolph Joseph were friends of Wilder's, who divorced in 1974. Wilder maintained an epistolary friendship with Elfy after the divorce.