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Frances Angevine Gray Keef papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.428

Biographical / Historical note

Frances Allen Angevine was born in 1888. Angevine attended the University of Rochester and following her graduation in 1909, completed an English Masters Degree at the University in 1923. Angevine continued to study English through Cornell University's summer program in 1924, 1926 and 1933. She then taught English and Latin in the Rochester public school system. Angevine met and married Mason DeWitt Gray in 1910, a University of Rochester alumnus. Gray worked as a Latin teacher and scholar in at East High School in Rochester. The couple had one child, Noel W. Gray in 1927. Mason Gray died in 1929. In 1935, Angevine married Henry H. Keef, also a University of Rochester alumnus.

Keef continued to teach from the 1930s until her retirement from West High in 1953. While teaching, Keef wrote and published under her first married name, Gray, three volumes of poetry including Fragile Armor, 1942, Winged Passage, 1951, and Signature of Time 1968. In addition to her volumes of poetry, Gray also published individual poems in the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, the Herald Tribune. She also wrote travel essays. Beginning in 1962, Keef became the editor of "Poetry Corner" a weekly column featuring selected poetry that was published in the Democrat and Chronicle. Gray was a member of the Poetry Society of America and served as president of the Rochester Poetry Society.

Frances Angevine Gray Keef died ca. 1965

Scope and Contents

The Frances Angevine Gray Keef Papers consist of two series: Personal Papers and Writings. Personal Papers includes correspondence between Keef and her family as well as several pieces of professional correspondence related to her career as a teacher and writer. This series also includes family photographs, of Keef as well as her immediate family between the late nineteenth century through the mid- twentieth century. The second series, Writings includes several examples of Keef's poetry, as well as essays and articles. This series also contains newspaper reviews and articles about Keef and her work.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1879-1968

Language of Materials

English

Extent

2.13 linear feet (3 boxes)

Access

The Frances Angevine Gray Keef Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Frances Angevine Gray Keef Papers were made a gift by Mrs. Noel Lawson on August 17, 1973.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Frances Angevine Gray Keef Papers, D.428, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Arrangement

Series List

Series I. Personal Papers

Series II. Writings

Title
Frances Angevine Gray Keef papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • June 2018: Revised after rehousing.

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA