Irvin Family papers, circa 1890s-2016

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Summary

Creator:
Irvin family
Abstract:
Collection consists largely of correspondence between historian Nell Irvin Painter and her parents (1969-2003), documenting various stages of their lives, travels, and Painter's scholarly career. Also includes writings by or about Nell Painter, including reviews of her work; materials, including photographs and tintypes (circa 1890s-1910s) of African Americans in Victoria, Texas, kept by Frank and Dona Irvin, relating to their early life near Houston, and documenting aspects of African American history in that area; copies and reviews of Dona Irvin's writings; documents related to Frank and Dona's education and careers; family photographs; videos; Frank irvin's diary (2000-2003); legal papers; and other items. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
Extent:
10.25 Linear Feet (23 boxes; 2 oversize folders)
approximately 5150 Items
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.00619

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists largely of correspondence between historian Nell Irvin Painter and her parents (1969-2003), documenting various stages of their lives, travels, and Painter's scholarly career. Also includes writings by or about Nell Painter, including reviews of her work; copies and reviews of Dona Irvin's writings; documents related to Frank and Dona's education and careers; Frank irvin's diary (2000-2003); legal papers; and other items.

Photographs also form an important part of the collection. Along with papers and records, Frank and Dona Irvin kept early photos and tintypes (circa 1890s-1910s) of African Americans in Victoria, Texas; together, these materials speak to their early life near Houston, and document aspects of African American history in that area. There are also family photographs from later decades (1930s-1980s).

For preservation purposes, original audiovisual media are closed to use; copies may be available on request.

Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.

Biographical / historical:

Dona Irvin (1917-2009) was the author of The Unsung Heart of Black America, I Hope I Look That Good When I'm That Old, and other works. Frank Irvin was a chemist and worked for many years for the Chemistry Department of the University of California at Berkeley. The Irvins are the parents of historian Nell Irvin Painter, whose papers are also in the Rubenstein Library.

Acquisition information:
The Irvin Family Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2003, 2015, 2016, and 2019.
Processing information:

Processed by Stacey Clarke

Completed October 15, 2003

Encoded by Stacey Clarke, Elizabeth Arnold

Additions processed by Katrina Martin, 2015 and 2016, and Laurin Penland, 2019.

This collection has been given basic processing: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2003-0185, 2015-0035, 2015-0192, 2016-0112, 2019-0101.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Irvin Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.