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Henry Arthur Jones papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.228

Biographical/Historical note

Henry Arthur Jones (1851-1929), British dramatist, was born at Grandborough, Buckinghamshire, England. He began working for a draper at the age of twelve, and later earned his living as a commercial traveler. After attending the theatre in London, he was inspired to begin writing one-act plays. His first play to be produced, It's Only Round the Corner, was staged at the Theatre Royal, Exeter, in 1878. His first London production, A Clerical Error, premiered the following year. The Silver King, which opened at the Princess Theatre, London, in 1882, established Jones's name as a dramatist. During his long career, he wrote numerous plays, among his most successful were The Middleman (1889), The Dancing Girl (1891), The Tempter (1893), The Triumph of the Philistines (1895), Michael and His Lost Angel (1896), The Liars (1897), and The Hypocrites (1906). Like the works of Arthur Wing Pinero, Jones's plays began the move away from melodrama and sentimental comedy to a more realistic treatment of social issues.

Scope and Contents

The collection includes approximately forty letters written by Henry Arthur Jones to others involved in the theatre, such as actor-manager George Alexander (1 letter), dramatist William Leonard Courtney (5), playwright Harrison Grey Fiske (1), actress Elizabeth Robins (1), playwright Augustus Thomas (3), dramatic critic Arthur Bingham Walkley (1), critic and playwright Malcolm Watson (1), and dramatist Freeman Wills (1). Also found in the collection is the typescript of "Cock o' the Walk," a five-act play by Jones, the manuscript of an article by Jones on motion pictures and a biographical study of Henry Irving.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1851-1929

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Henry Arthur Jones 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 collection was acquired by purchase from David J. Holmes Autographs, July 23, 1990, and various other purchases.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Henry Arthur Jones Papers, D.228, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Genre / Form

Geographic

Occupation

Topical

Title
Henry Arthur Jones 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

Library Details

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

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA