Guide to the Hartley Burr Alexander Projects Collection
Guide prepared by Kenneth W. Homsley for History Associates Incorporated.
Ella Strong Denison Library
Scripps College
1090 Columbia Avenue
Claremont, California 91711
Phone: (909) 607-3941
Fax: (909) 607 1548
Email: denison@libraries.claremont.edu
September 10, 2005
Administrative Summary
Title: Hartley Burr Alexander Projects
Creator:
Alexander, Hartley Burr
Dates: 1929-1933
Date (bulk): (bulk 1930-1933)
Quantity: 2.5 cubic feet
Repository:
Claremont Colleges. Library.
1090 Columbia Avenue
Claremont, California 91711
Abstract: The Hartley Burr Alexander Projects
Collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, architectural
drawings, architectural blueprints, and materials documenting his work as an inscription
designer. His construction projects include the Los Angeles Public Library, the Department
of Justice building in Washington, D.C., and Rockefeller center in New York City. The
collection covers the years 1929 to 1934 with the bulk of the material ranging from 1930 to
1933.
Collection Number:
D1943.2
Physical Location: Ella Strong Denison Library
Language:
English
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research with permission from Ella Strong Denison Library
staff.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with Scripps College. Literary rights are retained by the creators
of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact
Ella Strong Denison Library staff.
Related Materials at Ella Strong Denison Library
Title:
Hartley
Burr
Alexander
Papers
,
Date: 1897-2000
Separated Materials
Oversize material is located in oversize box numbers 1 and 2.
Preferred Citation
Hartley Burr Alexander Projects Collection. Ella Strong Denison Library, Scripps College,
Claremont, California.
Processing Information
Preliminary arrangement by library staff. Processed by History Associates Incorporated,
2005
Accruals
No addition to the collection is anticipated.
Other Finding Aids
Title:
Hartley
Burr
Alexander
Papers
,
Date: 1897-2000
Biography of Hartley Burr Alexander
Hartley Burr Alexander (1873-1939), educator, author, poet, philosopher, was born on April
9, 1873 in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Syracuse, Nebraska by his father, George Sherman
Alexander, a self-educated Methodist Minister from Massachusetts, and his artist-stepmother,
Susan Godding Alexander. His mother, Abbey Gifford Smith Alexander died when he was three.
After graduating from Syracuse High School, Alexander attended the University of Nebraska,
graduating in 1897 with an A.B. degree. Alexander began his teaching career in the English
Department before accepting the Harrison Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania
(1898-1900). He then transferred to Columbia University where he received his Doctor of
Philosophy in 1901. In 1908 he accepted a position teaching philosophy at the University of
Nebraska (1908-1927), after which he became Professor of Philosophy at Scripps College in
Claremont, California.
Hartley Burr Alexander’s interests in philosophy, anthropology, and the arts synthesized
with his interest in architecture. Many of Alexander’s thoughts have been cut into stone in
the form of inscriptions and symbolic programs in several monuments of American architecture
throughout the United States. The most notable are those he created for the Nebraska State
Capitol in 1925, Memorial Stadium at the University of Nebraska, Rockefeller Center in New
York City, Bertram Goodhue’s Los Angeles Public Library, and several buildings at the 1933
Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago.
Alexander’s interest in designing architectural inscriptions began in the 1920’s. In 1919
it had been decided that a new capitol should be built in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bertram
Grosvenor Goodhue was selected, and construction began in 1922. Goodhue’s design – Roman
chariots prancing on a roof – so offended Alexander’s sense of what was appropriate for
Nebraska that he wrote Goodhue with suggestions of more appropriate art. Goodhue was so
impressed that he hired Alexander on the spot to direct the artwork and write the
inscriptions for the building. It was during his work on the capitol that Alexander first
worked with the tile designer Hildreth Meiere, and the sculptor Lee Lawrie. Alexander later
worked with both Meiere and Lawrie on other Goodhue buildings, such as the Los Angeles
Public Library; the Fidelity Mutual Insurance Building in Philadelphia; Pennsylvania State
Finance Building, Chicago Century of Progress Exhibition; the City Hall and Courthouse in
St. Paul, the Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.; the Joslyn Memorial
Building in Omaha, Rockefeller Center; and others.
Several works were written by Alexander concerning his work on the Nebraska State Capitol
building, such as “Nebraska’s Monumental Capitol” in Western Architect, 1923; “Lee Lawrie’s
Sculptures” in Nebraska State Journal, 1923; “The Nebraska Capitol” in Goodhue Memorial
Volume published by the American Institute of Architects, 1925; and Nebraska State Capitol:
Synopsis of Decorations and Inscriptions, State Capitol Commission, 1926.
Alexander also worked on the inscriptions for the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Joslyn Memorial Building, Omaha, Nebraska; and the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Home Office Building, Ottawa, Canada.
Alexander died at his home in Claremont in 1939 at the age of 66. The memorial service was
held in Balch Hall Auditorium at Scripps College on July 29. Scripps College honored him
posthumously with the establishment of the Hartley Burr Alexander Professorship in the
Humanities.
Chronology
| 1873 |
Born on April 9 in Lincoln, Nebraska |
| 1897 |
Graduated from the University of Nebraska with an A.B. degree. |
| 1898-1900 |
Taught English at the University of Nebraska |
| 1901 |
Received his Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University |
| 1908-1927 |
Taught philosophy at the University of Nebraska |
| 1922 |
Began designing architectural descriptions for Nebraska State Capitol building
|
| 1924-1931 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Los Angeles Public Library, Los
Angeles, California
|
| 1926-1932 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company
Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
| 1927-1933 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Home Office Building in Ottawa, Canada
|
| 1929-1932 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Joslyn Memorial Building in Omaha,
Nebraska
|
| 1930-1933 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Century of Progress Exhibition in
Chicago Illinois
|
| 1931-1933 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Rockefeller Center in New York, New
York
|
| 1932-1934 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
| 1932-1935 |
Designed architectural inscriptions for the Department of Justice in Washington
D.C.
|
| 1939 |
Died at his home in Claremont, CA. at the age of 66 |
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Hartley Burr Alexander Projects Collection contains correspondence, newspaper
clippings, photographs, architectural drawings, architectural blueprints, and materials
documenting Hartley Burr Alexander’s work as an inscription designer. His inscription
projects included the Los Angeles Public Library, the Department of Justice building in
Washington, D.C., and Rockefeller Center in New York City. The collection covers the years
1929 to 1934 with the bulk of the material ranging from 1930 to 1933.
The largest series in this collection are Series 1, Los Angeles Public Library, and Series
2, Century of Progress Exhibition.
The collection is organized into eight series:
- Series 1. Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, California,
1924-1931
- Series 2. Century of Progress Exhibition, Chicago. Illinois, 1930-1933
- Series 3. Department of Justice Building, Washington, D.C., 1932-1934
- Series 4. Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
1932-1935
- Series 5. Joslyn Memorial Building, Omaha, Nebraska Series, 1929-1932
- Series 6. Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company Building, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, 1926-1932
- Series 7. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Home Office Building, Ottawa, Canada,
1931-1935
- Series 8. Rockefeller Center, New York, New York, 1927-1933
Index Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:
Alexander, Hartley Burr, 1873-1939
Scripps College (Claremont, Calif.)--Archival
resources.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Genres and Forms of Materials
Blueprints
Correspondence.
Photographs.
Sketches
Collection Contents
Series 1
Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, California,
1924-1931
Physical Description:
.5 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, photographs, publications, reports, and a
synopsis, all of which detail the sculptural decorations and inscriptions created for
the Los Angeles Public Library.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 1, Folder 2
Booklet, “Dedicatory Exercises of the Central Library Building,"
July 15, 1926
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence, 1924-1926
Box 1, Folder 5
Children’s Entrance and Court, [1924-1931]
Box 1, Folder 7
North Façade, [1924-1931]
Box 1, Folder 8
Tower Sculpture, [1924-1931]
Box 1, Folder 9
West Entrance, [1924-1931]
Box 1, Folder 11
“Like Stepping Into a Story Book’” Library Bureau,
1927
Box 1, Folder 12
“The Sculpture of Lee Lawrie,” Architectural Forum, May
1931
Box 1, Folder 13
Publicity, 1926-1933, undated
Box 1, Folder 14
Sculpture and Inscription Information,
[1924-1931]
Box 1, Folder 15
Thematic Synopsis of the Sculpture and Inscriptions,
[192-]
Series 2
Century of Progress Exhibition, Chicago Illinois,
1930-1933
Physical Description:
.5 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, building layouts, exhibition area and grounds
layout information, pamphlets, and photographs of buildings and models for the 1933
Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago. The correspondence in this series primarily
discusses the symbolic and decorative features for buildings and landscaping areas
designed for the Century of Progress Exhibition.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 2, Folder 1
Architectural Blueprints and Drawings, 1933
Box 2, Folder 3
Correspondence, Oct. 2, 1930-Oct. 26, 1932
Box 2, Folder 4
Invitation to Opening Ceremony, 1933
Box 2, Folder 5
Electricity Building Layout, 1930
Box 2, Folder 6
Exhibition Area Layout, The Hall of Science,
1933
Box 2, Folder 10
Schedule of Special Features for the Exposition Grounds,
1933
Box 2, Folder 11
Synopses, Structures and Features, undated
Series 3
Department of Justice, Washington D.C., 1932-1935
Physical Description:
.25 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains both correspondence and photographs detailing the symbolic
decorative and inscription features created for the Department of Justice building in
Washington D.C. The correspondence in this series is primarily between Hartley Burr
Alexander, sculptor C.P. Jennewein, and the architects Zantzinger, Borie, &
Medary. Several drawings, and photographs sent to Dr. Alexander by C.P. Jennewein,
remain attached to the original letters with which the photograph was sent.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 3, Folder 1
Correspondence, 1932-1935
Box 3, Folder 3
Attorney General’s and Soliciter General’s Suites,
[1932-1935]
Box 3, Folder 4
Entrance Court, [1932-1935]
Box 3, Folder 6
Library Lobby, [1932-1935]
Series 4
Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
1932-1934
Physical Description:
.25 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, photographs, and a synopsis of the sculpture and
inscriptions created for the Ellen Samuel Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
correspondence file in this series contains letters to and from architect Paul Cret, and
the architectural firm Zantzinger, Borie, & Medary, which discusses the symbolic
decorative and inscription features for the memorial.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 3, Folder 7
Annual Report, Fairmount Park Association 62nd Annual Report, Publication
No.73, 1934
Box 3, Folder 8
Correspondence, 1932-1934
Box 3, Folder 9
Invitation, Fairmount Park Art Association Annual Meeting,
1934
Box 3, Folder 11
Synopses, Synopsis of the Sculpture and Inscriptions,
1932
Series 5
Joslyn Memorial Building, Omaha, Nebraska, 1929-1932
Physical Description:
.25 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains a booklet, correspondence, inscription information, photographs,
and newspaper clippings concerning the sculptures and inscriptions created for the
Joslyn Memorial Building in Omaha, Nebraska. The correspondence contains letters to and
from Hartley Burr Alexander, architects John and Alan McDonald, and sculptor John David
Brcin, who created the sculpture decorations for the building. Many of the letters
contain detailed information concerning the design of the sculptures. The newspaper
clippings, located in the publicity folder, also contain detailed information concerning
both the sculptures, and the inscriptions.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 4, Folder 1
Booklet, “The Kaleidescope,” Kantuck and Company, Inc.,
1932
Box 4, Folder 2-4
Correspondence, 1929-1932
Box 4, Folder 5
Inscriptions, [1929-1932]
Box 4, Folder 7
Publicity (Newspaper Clippings), [1930]
Series 6
Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
1926-1932
Physical Description:
.4 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, a pamphlet, photographs, and a synopsis of the
decorations and inscriptions created for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company
building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The correspondence in this series primarily
discusses the symbolism of the exterior of the building and the re-arrangement of
inscriptions over the great arches.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 4, Folder 9
Correspondence, 1926-1932
Box 4, Folder 10
Pamphlet, “A Substantial New Building for a Substantial Old Company,”
Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1927
Box 4, Folder 12
Archway Grill Ornaments, [1926-1932]
Box 4, Folder 13
Engraved Figures, [1926-1932]
Box 4, Folder 14
Geometric Ornament, [1926-1932]
Box 4, Folder 15
Façade Ornament, [1926-1932]
Box 4, Folder 16
Symbolic Ornament, [1926-1932]
Box 4, Folder 17
Decorations and Inscriptions, [1926-1932]
Series 7
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Home Office Building, Ottawa, Canada,
1927-1933
Physical Description:
.25 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, floor plans, photographs and synopses’ of the
symbolic decorations and inscriptions created for the Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company Home Office Building in Ottawa, Canada.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 5, Folder 1-4
Correspondence, 1929-1934
Box 5, Folder 6
“The Last Architecture,” by Hartley Burr Alexander,
1930
Box 5, Folder 7
Other Architectural Structures, 1930
Box 5, Folder 9
Synopses, “Description of Allegorical Mosaic Decoration Designed by the
Artist Barry Faulkner for the Vaulted Ceiling of the Entrance Vestibule,”
1927
Box 5, Folder 10
Synopses, “Synopsis of Decoration for the New Home Office Building,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Building,” [1929-1933]
Series 8
Rockefeller Center, New York, New York, 1931-1933
Physical Description:
.25 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, photographs, magazine articles, newspaper
clippings, and the thematic synopsis for Rockefeller Center. The correspondence in this
series primarily discusses the architectural decorations and symbolism used in the
design of Rockefeller City, or Radio City. Contained within the correspondence are
several drafts of the thematic synopsis. A copy, possibly the final draft, is housed
separately. A series of articles published in Architectural Forum by the architects for
Rockefeller City, along with an article published in Harpers Monthly Magazine, discuss
the architectural design of Rockefeller City.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 5, Folder 12
Correspondence, 1930-1931
Box 5, Folder 14
Allen, Frederick Lewis, “Radio City: Cultural Center,” Harpers Monthly
Magazine, [193-]
Box 5, Folder 15
Clute, Eugene, “The Story of Rockefeller Center,” The Architectural Forum,
[1932]
Box 5, Folder 16
Harrison, Wallace K., “Drafting Room Practice,” The Architectural Forum,
Vol. :VI, No. 1, Jan. 1932
Box 5, Folder 17
Hood, Raymond, “The Design of Rockefeller City,” The Architectural Forum,
Vol. LVI, No. 1, Jan. 1932
Box 5, Folder 18
Reinhard, L. Andrew, “Organization for Cooperation,” The Architectural
Forum, Vol. LVI, No. 1, Jan. 1932
Box 5, Folder 20
Synopses, “Thematic Synopsis for Rockefeller City,”
[1931-1933]
