Dorothy Persons papers
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Scope and Contents
The Dorothy Persons papers date from 1937-2011 and measure 5 linear inches. The papers focus heavily on Persons’ work as a custom jeweler. They are arranged in three series: Biographical, Professional, and Photographs.
The Biographical series (1937-2011) consists of Persons’ diplomas from the University of Illinois, a certificate of membership in Phi Kappa Phi, and her 2011 obituary.
The Professional series (1960-1996) includes “Jewelry by Dorothy Persons,” a self-published book by Persons’ daughter filled with photographs of Persons’ jewelry, resumes, newspaper clippings, jewelry designs, and materials related to exhibitions in which Persons’ work appeared. This series also includes one award, a ribbon of honorable mention from the 1969 Mississippi River Craft Show.
The Photographs series (undated) consists of large black and white photographs of Persons’ work, and a few smaller photographs of Persons in her home studio.
Dates
- Creation: 1937-2011
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.
However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Dorothy Ruess Persons was born in Aurora, Illinois in 1914 to George and Mary Belle (Gorrie) Ruess. She graduated from East Aurora High School in 1931. Persons attended Aurora College and the University of Illinois Urbana, earning a Bachelor’s of Library Science degree in 1937 and a Masters of Arts degree in 1941. Persons worked as a librarian at the University of Illinois and Ohio State University before being appointed Librarian of the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Persons married Stow Persons in 1943. They moved to Iowa City, Iowa in 1950 when he was hired as a professor of history at the University of Iowa.
Dorothy Persons studied metalworking and jewelry at the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa). In her home studio in Iowa City, she made custom jewelry for twenty-five years beginning in 1961. Her work was featured in local, state, and national exhibitions. Dorothy Persons died in Iowa City in 2011.
Extent
5.00 linear inches
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Iowa City resident who made custom jewelry from the 1960s-1990s.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 1360) were donated by Kate Persons in 2011.
- Title
- Dorothy Persons papers
- Author
- Anna Tunnicliff
- Date
- 2015
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu