Ruth Shambaugh Watkins papers
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Scope and Contents
The Ruth Shambaugh Watkins papers date from 1943 to 1997 and measure 2.5 linear inches. The papers are arranged in three series: Biographical, Drawings, and Photographs.
The Biographical series (1943-1997) consists of photocopies of several newspaper articles and images featuring or taken by Ruth Watkins. A reproduction of a scrapbook created by Heather Watkins, Ruth Watkins’ daughter, completes the series. The scrapbook documents the life of Jessie Field Shambaugh, Ruth Watkins’ mother, and contains many photographs.
The Drawing series (1943-1956) includes reprints of drawings, sketches, and paintings by Ruth Watkins. A large portion of the drawings are from Watkins’ comic strip Be Sure to Bring the Children. Also included is a 1943 issue of Mademoiselle, guest-edited by Ruth Shambaugh and featuring a series of her comics.
The Photographs series (1945, undated) includes reprints of photographs of family members and friends. Also included are several photographs of the Windy Summit School, where Ruth Shambaugh taught in 1945.
Dates
- Creation: 1943-1997
Creator
- Watkins, Ruth Shambaugh (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor.
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
Phyllis Ruth Shambaugh Watkins, artist and editor, was born in 1922 in Clarinda, Iowa, to Ira and Jessie Field Shambaugh. Her mother helped to establish the 4-H organization. While attending the University of Iowa, Ruth Shambaugh edited Frivol, a student-run humor publication. After graduating in 1943 with a BA in journalism, Shambaugh moved back to Clarinda and taught at the Windy Summit country school near Essex, Iowa.
Ruth Shambaugh spent much of her time drawing and painting. She worked as an interior designer in addition to creating the cartoon strip Be Sure to Bring the Children, which was published in the Ladies Home Journal. In 1943, Shambaugh was a guest editor for Mademoiselle.
In 194- (?) Ruth Shambaugh married Bob Watkins, an advertising illustrator. After World War II, the couple lived in Los Angeles, Connecticut, and San Mateo, California. In 1970, the Watkins moved back to Clarinda, Iowa, where they raised their seven (?) children.
Extent
2.50 linear inches
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Clarinda, Iowa artist and editor who wrote the comic strip Be Sure to Bering the Children.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 198) were donated by Ruth S. Watkins in 2009.
- Title
- Rught Shambaugh Watkins papers
- Author
- Sarah M. Dorpinghaus, 2009
- Date
- 2009
- 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