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The Leng mss., 1909-1957, consist of the correspondence and papers of English photographer and printer Kyle P. Leng (d. 1958) and his family. By far the bulk of the correspondence is with Robert Gathorne-Hardy, 1902-1973, covering the years from the beginning of their relationship until Leng's death, or 1921-1958. There are several folders of Leng's correspondence with various members of his family and several more folders of correspondence with colleagues and friends. Correspondence with family includes that with Robert Leng, Ruth Leng, William Leng, and most abundantly, his brother Basil Leng, as well as childhood letters from both Kyrle as well as Basil. Correspondents in this latter group include Cecil Beaton, Lord David Cecil, Norman Douglas, Lady Ottoline Morrell, Siegfried Sassoon, and Stephen Tennant. Much of these correspondence involve communciation between British socialites, royalty, and other wealthy or upperclass members of early 20th century British Society. Also present are photographs, some poems and other writings by Leng, and a few clippings or other printed items.

This collection of interviews primarily covers working-class perspectives of Whiting, Indiana from the 1920s to early 1960s. Topics discussed include unions, Standard Oil and other Whiting industries, politics and political alliances, family structures, discipline, values, ethnicity, religious commitment and change, deindustrialization, and environmental and gender issues.