Dorothy Clarke Wilson papers

Collection

Identifier: MC043

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

Manuscripts for several unpublished works by Dorothy Clarke Wilson (Bates College Class of 1925), including many essays and short stories she created while a student at Bates College. Also includes the manuscript version of two books: Lincoln's Mothers (published 1981) and My Hazen Lives (not published?). Several published poems, short stories, and serial stories are also included.

Dates

1917-1980, undated
Majority of material found within 1917 - 1935

Creator

Wilson, Dorothy Clarke (Person)

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

Historical Note

Dorothy Wright Clarke Wilson was born on May 9, 1904 in Gardiner, Maine to Lewis H. and Flora E. (Cross) Clarke. She attended Bates College, graduating with honors in 1925. The same year, she married Elwin Leander Wilson (Bates 1924). Following her husband's graduate studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and the School of Theology at Boston University, the Wilsons settled in Westbrook, Maine, where she began to pursue a writing career in earnest.

She published a number of short stories, plays and poems, many of which had Biblical themes or were biographies of women. Her best known book, Prince of Egypt (1949), won the Westminster prize for the best religious book of the year, and was one of the books upon which The Ten Commandments film was based. Bates College awarded Wilson an honorary degree in 1948 and the University of Maine did so in 1984. She died on March 26, 2003.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Manuscripts for several works by Dorothy Clarke Wilson (Bates College Class of 1925), including unpublished works while she was a student and two books: Lincoln's Mothers (published 1981) and My Hazen Lives (not published?).