Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Eichler, David Kemble, 1913-2003 and Hepburn, Katharine, 1907-2003
- Abstract:
- The Eichler mss., 1928-2002, consists primarily of letters between educator, journalist, and businessman David Kemble Eichler, 1913-2003, and actress Katharine Hepburn, 1907-2003.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (1 standard)
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Eichler mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
David Kemble Eichler, 1913-2003, was an educator, journalist, and businessman.
Katharine Hepburn, 1907-2003, was a prominent actress.
At the age of 26, with only a bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall College, Eichler was named head of the English Department at Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia. In 1939, he enrolled at Harvard University for his doctorate in philosophy, but later transferred to the business school, earning an M.B.A. in 1943. After a stint in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the State Department and as a free-lance journalist, he returned to Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, spending much of the rest of his life in the realty and construction business.
Eichler's friendship with Katharine Hepburn began in 1939 after seeing her in a Broadway performance of The Philadelphia Story. Eichler introduced himself to Hepburn and wrote a lengthy letter expressing his awe of her performance in this play and of her earlier role in The Lake. Hepburn responded with thanks. Further correspondence followed, resulting in a friendship that lasted until her death in 2003.
- Scope and Content:
The Eichler mss., 1928-2002, consists primarily of letters between educator, journalist, and businessman David Kemble Eichler, 1913-2003, and actress Katharine Hepburn, 1907-2003. Many of Hepburn's letters are brief thank-you's, usually for flowers sent by Eichler, but some discuss her latest projects. The collection contains about 95 letters from Hepburn to Eichler and about 80 copies of letters from him to her.
Included are letters to Eichler from Enid Bagnold, Aug. 14, 1979 and Oct. 21, 1980; a note from director Anthony Harvey, June 1, 1995; letters from Hepburn's niece Katharine Houghton, Aug. 20, Sept. 24 and Oct. 18, 1977 and Sept. 22, 1985; and several thank-you notes from Hepburn's long-time companion Phyllis Wilbourn. Also present in the collection is a card from director George Cukor to Hepburn, probably sent in Dec. 1979. Filed with the letters are diary-like notes detailing Eichler's encounters and phone calls with Hepburn.
Among the many photographs are snapshots of Eichler's home in Philadelphia; Hepburn's home in Fenwick, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, where Eichler was a guest from time to time; and publicity shots of Hepburn, including one inscribed to Eichler. Printed items include magazines, clippings from magazines and newspapers concerning Hepburn, and a photocopy of her last will and testament. The collection also contains invitations to various functions concerning Hepburn, as well as programs and playbills for several of Hepburn's plays. Completing the collection is a Bryn Mawr College yearbook from 1928, containing photographs of Hepburn and listing her as a member of the swim team.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 2004
- Arrangement:
The correspondence is arranged in chronological order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Stacks
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Eichler mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu