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University of Texas at Austin

Leon M. Lion:

An Inventory of His Collection at the Harry Ransom Center

Creator: Lion, Leon M., 1879-1947
Title: Leon M. Lion Collection
Dates: 1895-1951 (bulk 1904-1940)
Extent: 8 document boxes (3.36 linear feet), 1 oversize folder (osf)
Abstract: The Leon M. Lion Collection contains correspondence, contracts, photographs, scripts, and a few miscellaneous items.
Call Number: Performing Arts Collection PA-00053
Language: English
Access: Open for research. Researchers must create an online Research Account and agree to the Materials Use Policy before using archival materials.
Use Policies: Ransom Center collections may contain material with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in the collections without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the Ransom Center and The University of Texas at Austin assume no responsibility.
Restrictions on Use: Authorization for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the owner of the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information please see the Ransom Center's Open Access and Use Policies.


Administrative Information


Acquisition: Purchases, 1981 and 1992
Processed by: Valerie Burns, 2002; Daniela Lozano, 2017
Repository:

Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Biographical Sketch


Leon M. Lion (1879-1947) was an actor, manager, director, and dramatist on the London stage. He was born in London on March 12, 1879. His first break came in 1899 when he adapted a story by Tom Gallon. The play’s success led to further collaborations with Gallon and others, and launched a successful stage career that crossed over into film. He died in Brighton on March 28, 1947.

Scope and Contents


The Leon M. Lion Collection, 1895-1951, contains correspondence, contracts, photographs, scripts, and a few miscellaneous items. It is arranged in three series: I. Correspondence, 1900-1951 (3 boxes); II. Contracts, 1903-1944 (4 boxes); III. Other Papers, 1895-1937 (1 box).
The correspondence includes mainly letters written to Lion, along with some carbons of replies, and concerns his activities as an actor, producer, dramatist working in collaboration with authors as well as other business and personal affairs. Among the correspondents are J. Jefferson and Eleanor Farjeon, Tom Gallon, Eden Phillpotts, Sybil Thorndike, and Tom Walls. The Contracts consist of agreements with actors and writers and for film rights, play rights, and radio programs, 1903-1944. These are arranged alphabetically by title of the work, except for a small number of other contracts, primarily leasing agreements, which are chronologically arranged. Completing this collection are a few photographs of actors and actresses associated with Lion and several scripts, including two prompt copies.
For further information about Lion, consult his autobiography, The Surprise of My Life (London: Hutchinson, 1948).

Separated Material


The following book was transferred to the Ransom Center Library:
Leon, Lion M. The Surprise of My Life. London, New York: Hutchinson, [1948].

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