Barbara Duncan papers

Collection

Identifier: A.D19

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

Miss Barbara Duncan (1882-1965) was a music librarian at the city public library in Boston, MA and the first librarian for the Sibley Music Library of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY. From 1922 until her retirement in 1950, she built up the Sibley Library's collection until it was considered one of the most comprehensive in the country. She made several trips abroad, including one in 1929 to Berlin when she was authorized to spend $50,000. She returned with a valuable collection of 11th century music manuscripts.

Scope and Contents note

The papers include correspondence to her mother, Mrs. Charles Duncan, while she was abroad on purchasing trips for the Sibley Music Library. Also included are essays concerning: her European buying trips; Philip Hale, the music critic; Anthony Philip Heinrich, the American composer; a critique of Irving Babbitt's article "New Laokoon: An Essay on the Confusion of the Arts"; and French melodrama.

Creator

Duncan, Barbara, 1882-1965 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1878-1955

Language of Materials

English

Extent

.25 cubic feet (1 container)

Restrictions on Access

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

Restrictions on 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 note

Gift of the Estate of Barbara Duncan, May 14, 1969.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Barbara Duncan Papers, A.D19, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester