Charles Henry Caffin papers, circa 1883-1973, bulk 1883-1918

Collection Information

Size: 1.2 Linear feet

Summary: The scattered papers of art critic and writer Charles Henry Caffin measure 1.2 linear feet and date from circa 1883-1973, bulk circa 1883-1918. Found within the papers are an interview transcript, two letters, printed materials, one scrapbook, and family photographs dating from circa 1883 to circa 1911, many by noted photographers Arnold Genthe, Frances Benjamin Johnston, Gertrude Käsebier, Edward Steichen, and Alfred Stieglitz. The scrapbook contains Caffin's columns for the New York American , 1913-1915.

Biographical/Historical Note

Charles Henry Caffin was born in 1854 in England. After graduating from Oxford University, Caffin served as stage manager for outdoor productions with Ben Greet and His Shakespearean Players. During this time, he met actress Caroline Scurfield, whom he later married and had two daughters, Freda and Donna. Caffin moved to United States in 1892 where he began to write about art, drama, and dance. He was an early supporter of the Photo-Secessionists and American modern art. Read More

Provenance

Donna Caffin Layton, daughter of Charles Caffin, donated most of the papers in 1974. Stephen D. Rockstroh, Caffin's son-in-law, donated additional material in 1985.

Language Note

English .

Digitization Note

The papers of Charles Henry Caffin in the Archives of American Art were digitized in 2009. The bulk of the papers have been scanned, and total 167 images.

Funding Note

Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art