Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions, 1920-1967

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
Email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions
Date range:	1920-1967
Creator:	Eddy, Ruth Muriel, 1921-
Extent:	263 items (1 records center box)
Abstract:	This collection consists primarily of printed and manuscript music composed by Clifford M. Eddy, Jr. and his daughter Ruth M. Eddy. Also includes correspondence and poetry.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 2005.69

Scope & content

The Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions consist chiefly of printed and manuscript music mostly by Clifford and his daughter, Ruth. Other materials include a few letters and some poetry. The collection is divided into three series: music, correspondence and proposed lyrics. The music series consists of the music of Clifford Eddy, including primarily fully developed songs, but also a few sketches of tunes. This series also includes the music of Ruth Eddy and others, as well as music without the name of a composer or lyricist attached. A few of the songs have been published, but the majority of them were not and are handwritten. The topics range from the blues to hymns to love songs. The correspondence series is very short and for the most part concerns the use of poems as song lyrics. The last series consists of poems which the Eddys were considering for use as lyrics.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Eddy, Ruth Muriel, 1921-
• Eddy, C. M. (Clifford Martin)

Subject Topics

• Composers--Rhode Island--20th century

Document Types

• Scores
• Letters (correspondence)
• Poems

Subject Topics

• Performing Arts

Occupations

• Musicians
• Composers

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following three series:

• Series 1. Music
• Series 2. Correspondence
• Series 3. Proposed lyrics

Biographical note

Ruth Muriel Eddy was born in 1921. She graduated from Central High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 1939, and from Eastern Nazarene College in 1943. In 1966, she received an extension diploma from Brown University. She was a proofreader for Oxford Press, a newsroom typist for the Providence Journal, and a public relations writer for WJAR-TV. Other jobs included stints in the departments of Employment Security and of Social Welfare for the state of Rhode Island, director of senior citizens groups in both Providence and East Providence, Rhode Island, typing instructor and creative writing instructor. In 1950, she founded the Rhode Island Writers' Guild. She was primarily a poet and several of her books of poetry, Impression of the Terminal, Poems for Christian Youth, and Stardust, Silver, and Gold are in the Harris Collection of American Poetry and Plays at Brown University. Some of her recollections of H.P. Lovecraft's visits with her parents are also in print along with a handful of horror stories.

Clifford Martin Eddy, Jr. (1896-1967), was born in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Classical High School in Providence. He is known primarily for his short stories in the horror, science fiction and supernatural genres but he also wrote songs, both words and music, sometimes collaborating with others, particularly his daughter, Ruth. He was a theatrical agent, a proof reader for Oxford Press, the principal clerk of the State of Rhode Island and a creative writing instructor. He was also a friend and confidant of H.P. Lovecraft, the horror and occult writer, and the magician Harry Houdini. He served from 1954 to 1956 as president of the Rhode Island Writers' Guild, and as secretary treasurer of the Rhode Island Theatrical Booking Agents' Association.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions, Ms. 2005.69, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 Email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	This collection was purchased from Ruth Eddy in 1983.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Lindsay Woodel.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Tatyana Badalyan 2008 September 10

Additional Information

Related material:	Rhode Island Writers' Guild records
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions

Inventory

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