Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Howard Russell Butler Papers, 1874-1936, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.butlhowa
Creators:
Butler, Howard Russell, 1856-1934
Dates:
1874-1936
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3 Linear feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of Howard Russell Butler measure 3.0 linear feet on 7 microfilm reels and date from 1874 to 1936. The collection includes writings, journals, organizational papers, correspondence, biographical information, printed matter, art works, and diaries.
Correspondence includes about 1700 letters concerning Butler's artwork, his interest in astronomy, support for the League of Nations and the World Court, his investigation of the Lincoln statue controversy, his management of the Andrew Carnegie house and property, and extensive correspondence about the various activities of the National Academy of Design and the American Fine Arts Society.
Also included are letters from Howard Russell Butler to family and friends, written from Princeton University, Cuba, Mexico, California, Colorado, and Europe; five diaries, 1876-1877; one drawing; and two oil sketches after a painting by Titian. It also includes a book of Butler's works, Howard Russell Butler, including an appreciation by F. Newlin Price, and an unpublished autobiography written from a journal kept by Butler.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 13 series.
  • Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1922 (Reel 0347)
  • Series 2: Correspondence and Exhibition Files, 1886-1933 (Reel 0347)
  • Series 3: Association Records, 1895-1932 (Reel 0347-Reel 0348)
  • Series 4: Project Files, circa 1918-1934 (Reel 0348-Reel 0349)
  • Series 5: Abraham Lincoln statue controversy, circa 1917-1922 (Reel 0349)
  • Series 6: Professional Files, 1903-1905 (Reel 0349)
  • Series 7: Book Projects, 1922-1931 (Reel 0349)
  • Series 8: Essay, undated (Reel 0349)
  • Series 9: Professional files, 1915-1920 (Reel 0349)
  • Series 10: Writings, circa 1936 (Reel 0089, Reel 0093)
  • Series 11: Letters, 1874-1907 (Reel 1189-Reel 1190)
  • Series 12: Diaries, 1876-1877 (Reel 1190)
  • Series 13: Artwork, circa 1888 (Reel 1190)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Howard Russell Butler (1856-1934) was a businessman, lawyer, and landscape painter from New York, NY. Butler was actively involved in many art associations, including founding the American Fine Arts Society. He was a National Academician of the National Academy of Design, and a member of the Architectural League and the Society of American Artists.

Administration

Author
Evangeline Avila
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated and lent 1970-1975 by H. Russell Butler, Jr., Butler's son.
Separated Materials
The Archives of American Art holds microfilm of material lent for microfilming on reels 89 and 93. Loaned materials were returned to the donor after microfilming.
Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 89, 93, 347-349, and 1189-1190 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lawyers -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Arts organizations Function Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Landscape painting Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painting, American Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cox, Kenyon, 1856-1919 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brush, George de Forest, 1855-1941 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Coffin, William A. (William Anderson), 1855-1925 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Fine Arts Society Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Academy of Design (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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