Mary Fanton Roberts papers, 1880-1956

Collection Information

Size: 3.8 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of art writer and editor Mary Fanton Roberts measure 3.8 linear feet and are dated 1880 to 1956. The bulk of this collection is Roberts' correspondence with numerous important artists, dancers, actors, writers, and musicians of the day. Also found are scattered biographical materials, family correspondence, writings, printed material, photographs and artwork.

Biographical/Historical Note

Mary Fanton Roberts was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1864. When she was a young girl her family moved to Deadwood, in the Montana territory, where her father had mining prospects. When she was old enough, she and her sister were sent back to New York to attend the Albany Female Academy. After finishing school, Roberts pursued journalism and became a staff writer for four years for the Herald Tribune, the Journal, and the Sun in New York. During her long career she was editor of Demorest Magazine , editor-in-chief of New Idea Woman's Magazine , managing editor of The Craftsman , and creator and editor of The Touchstone Magazine and Decorative Arts magazine. Her longest period at one publication was seventeen years as editor of Arts and Decoration . She often wrote articles on the topic of decorative arts and home decorating, and published two books, Inside 100 Homes , and 101 Ideas for Successful Interiors . Read More

Provenance

The collection was donated in 1957 by Phoebe DuBois and Violet Organ.

Language Note

English .

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of Mary Fanton Roberts in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2008, and total 5,407 images.

Funding Note

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