Clifford M. and Ruth M. Eddy musical compositions (Ms. 2005.69)

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.