Request Checked Items
University of Texas at Austin

Arnold Sundgaard:

An Inventory of His Papers at the Harry Ransom Center

Creator: Sundgaard, Arnold, 1909-2006
Title: Arnold Sundgaard Papers
Dates: 1938-2004, undated
Extent: 7 document boxes (2.94 linear feet)
Abstract: The Arnold Sundgaard Papers consist of typescripts of works, incoming and outgoing correspondence, subject files, agreements, and contracts that document Sundgaard’s varied writing career.
Call Number: Performing Arts Collection PA-00188
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: Gift, 2004
Processed by: Helen Adair, 2005; Helen Baer, 2015; Daniela Lozano, 2017
Repository:

Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Biographical Sketch


Arnold Sundgaard (1909-2006) was a lyricist, librettist, and playwright who worked with many leading composers including Kurt Weill, with whom he wrote the folk opera Down in the Valley (1948), Alec Wilder, with whom he wrote The Lowland Sea (1952), and Douglas S. Moore, with whom he wrote the operas Giants in the Earth (1951) and Gallantry (1962). Plays written by Sundgaard include the documentary play Spirochete: A History (1938), which chronicled the spread of syphilis, and Of Love Remembered (1967). He is also the author of several children’s books including The Lamb and the Butterfly (1988) and The Bear Who Loved Puccini (1992). His children’s album, An Axe, an Apple, and a Buckskin Jacket (1957), was written with Wilder and recorded by Bing Crosby. In addition to writing, Sundgaard taught drama at the University of Texas, Columbia University, University of Illinois, and Bennington College.

Sources:


In addition to material found in the Arnold Sundgaard Papers, the following source was used:
Fox, Margalit. "Arnold Sundgaard, Lyricist and Playwright, Is Dead at 96."  New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/obituaries/31sundgaard.html (accessed 24 August 2017).

Scope and Contents


The Arnold Sundgaard Papers, 1938-2004, undated, consist of typescripts of works, correspondence, subject files, agreements, and contracts that document Sundgaard’s varied writing career. The collection is arranged in two series: I. Works, 1947-1996, undated; and II. Personal and Career Related, 1938-2004.
Series I. Works consists of typescripts of works by Sundgaard including the children’s album An Axe, an Apple, and a Buckskin Jacket, the plays Forests of the Night, The Great Campaign, and Of Love Remembered, and the operas Giants in the Earth and Mosaic among others. The works are arranged in alphabetical order.
Series II. Personal and Career Related is divided into two subseries: A. Correspondence and Subject Files, 1941-2004; and B. Contracts and Agreements, 1938-2001. The folder titles in this series are taken from Sundgaard’s original files and are arranged in alphabetical order.
Subseries A. Correspondence and Subject Files consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence as well as various subject files related to organizations, publishers, and people. Correspondents include Willem Breuker, Eric Carle, Val Holley, and Ronald Prather.
Subseries B. Contracts and Agreements is made up of material related to Sundgaard’s writing career. Some of the files are labeled with the title of the work with which the material pertains, while some are labeled with the name of the publisher or company. Correspondence is included in some of the files, especially the children’s books files which also include reviews.

Related Material


Additional Arnold Sundgaard materials are located at George Mason University.

Container List