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Helen S. DeFrance Research Papers

 Collection
Identifier: A3144

Scope and Contents

The collection includes research notes, correspondence, and a handwritten copy of the master’s thesis, Sara Teasdale, completed by Helen S. DeFrance in 1939; also included are teaching notes, miscellaneous research notes, and drafts for two other English papers. The papers and notes span from 1910 to 1939 with the bulk of materials dating from 1935 to 1939. The collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title/type of document.

The research notes include many index cards with source notations and printed biographical booklets about Sara Teasdale. There are working drafts of DeFrance’s thesis bibliography, outline, footnotes, appendices, and the body of the paper. The handwritten draft includes an Appendix II, selections from Teasdale’s out-of-print first book Sonnets to Duse and Other Poems (1907), that is not included in the typescript copy in the Missouri Historical Society Library. According to Teasdale’s sister, she did not wish the book to be printed again as she was not pleased with her work; therefore, Mamie Teasdale Wheless asked DeFrance not to include it. There are also two copies, one handwritten and one typed, of an earlier paper by DeFrance dated May 9, 1935, On the Life and Work of Sara Teasdale.

Beginning in 1935, two years after Sara Teasdale’s death, DeFrance sought information about Teasdale from official sources such as the Reno, Nevada, county clerk and the Missouri Historical Society. She tried to contact Ernst Filsinger, Teasdale’s former husband, but a colleague replied explaining that he was in China as head of the branch office for Filsinger, Rhines & Campbell, Inc. (12 April 1935). DeFrance contacted Teasdale’s family and began corresponding with her older sister Mamie Teasdale Wheless from 1935 to 1939. Wheless provided details about Sara’s childhood, health, education, travels, her poems and setting them to music, family genealogy, and Sara’s marriage. In her March 27, 1938, letter, Wheless told DeFrance about the death of Ernst Filsinger and quoted from the last letter he wrote to her: “I not only loved Sara to the end, but she lives in my life, soul, and spirit today.” She sent DeFrance a postcard that Teasdale had written to her in 1910 from the Teasdale summer home in Charlevoix, Michigan (20 April 1938) and also booklets about her sister and the Teasdale family. Wheless discussed Teasdale’s friendship with poet Vachel Lindsay and explained that he drew sketches in his books that he sent to Teasdale (19 April 1939).

There are four letters written by Teasdale’s friend, Williamina Parrish, from April through July 1935. Parrish sent extensive answers to DeFrance’s questions about Teasdale’s early work and her personal life. On July 5, 1935, Ms. Parrish sent 12 pages of notes on DeFrance’s first papers on Teasdale, some of which DeFrance cut to use as notes (see Appendix I draft for fragments, B2/f.13). Ms. Parrish wrote at length about Sara’s divorce and relationship with Ernst; copied an unpublished poem that Teasdale gave to her, Stanchezza; shared knowledge regarding the subjects and motivations of several of Teasdale’s poems; quoted letters written by Teasdale; and from herself and other friends provided clarifications, quotes, and observations about Teasdale’s mental health before her death.

Dates

  • 1910-1939
  • Majority of material found within 1935-1939

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Helen Sayers DeFrance was born in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, to Murrell R. and Tillie Eber DeFrance on September 17, 1907. The DeFrances built their home at 7518 Edgerton Road (later known as 7518 Graymore Road) and Helen lived in the family home most of her life. She graduated from Bellevue High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1929, and a Master of Arts degree in English, also from the University of Pittsburgh, in June 1939. She selected the life and work of St. Louis poet Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) as the topic for her master’s thesis, Sara Teasdale. Helen spent her career as an English teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. She died on February 17, 2004, at age 96.

Extent

0.75 Cubic Feet ( (2 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title/type of document.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Joseph Michael George and Kirsten Larson George in 2020 (accession number 2020-073).

Related Materials

Sara Teasdale by Helen Sayre DeFrance (MHS Library, St.L./B/T22d)

Please see the Sara Teasdale Papers (A1605) catalog record for lists of materials relating to the poet at the Missouri Historical Society and at other institutions.

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2020.

Creator

Title
Helen S. DeFrance Research Papers
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510