Guide to the Muriel Marjorie Boos Hanna papers, 1922-1989

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Muriel Marjorie Boos Hanna papers
Date range:	1922-1989, (bulk 1978-1989)
Creator:	Hanna, Muriel Marjorie Boos, 1923-
Extent:	2.75 linear feet (3 legal size clamshell boxes)
Abstract:	The Muriel Marjorie Boos Hanna papers consist primarily of poetry by Muriel Hanna (dating from 1976 to 1989), drafts, notes and a draft of a compilation of poems, as well as a printed collection. An active member of the Rhode Island State Poetry Society, Hanna wrote of nature, family, and personal experiences in her poems. Included in the papers are poems by Hanna's grandmother, Emma Doan (Evans) Nicholas, whose poems describe her life a farm in New Jersey, provide information about the Grange, and gender roles in rural life in the early twentieth century.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 90.11

Scope & content

These papers consist primarily of poetry by Muriel Marjorie (Boos) Hanna dating from 1976 to 1989, including a printed collection, drafts, notes and a draft of a compilation of poems by Hanna and others. The papers also include poems (manuscripts and a typescript compilation) and a few jingles by Muriel Hanna's grandmother Emma Doan (Evans) Nicholas, as well as clippings and publications collected by Emma Nicholas, and autobiographical and biographical notes by Hanna included here. Muriel Hanna's poetry covers a number of topics, including nature, family and personal experiences. Emma Nicholas' poems, all undated, describe her life on the farm and provide information about the Grange, and gender roles in rural life in the early twentieth century.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Hanna, Muriel Marjorie Boos, 1923-
• Durrant, Paula
• Nicholas, Emma Doan Evans, 1877-1946

Subject Organizations

• National Grange

Subject Topics

• Agriculture--New Jersey--Societies, etc

Geographical Names

• New Jersey
• Rhode Island

Subject Topics

• Language and Literature

Document Types

• Poems

Occupations

• Women farmers--New Jersey
• Women poets, American

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series:

• Series 1. Materials by Muriel Marjorie Hanna
• Series 2. Materials by Emma Evans Nicholas
• Series 3. Materials collected by Emma Evans Nicholas

Biographical note

Muriel Marjorie Boos was born in 1923 in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, the daughter of Richard and Jennie (Nicholas) Boos . In 1934 the family moved to Manasquan, New Jersey. She graduated from the Junior College of Physical Therapy in New Haven (now part of the University of Connecticut) in 1942. In 1944 she married Harold N. Hanna; they had four children. The Hannas moved to Rhode Island in 1947. MMH (as she signed her poems) began writing poetry while riding the train between Connecticut and New Jersey, and stopped for many years while busy with children and other activities. She started writing again in 1975 and was active in the Rhode Island State Poetry Society. Muriel Hanna was the granddaughter of Emma Doan (Evans) Nicholas.

Emma Doan Evans was born in Evansville, Pennsylvania in 1877. She married William W. Nicholas in 1893 or 1894, when they were both sixteen years old. They had five children, including Jennie May (Nicholas) Boos. The Nicholases lived in several towns in northern New Jersey until they moved to a farm in Jerseyville. Emma Nicholas was active in the local Grange--several of her poems are about the farmer's organization. In the mid-1930s they lost their farm. They later lived in Brooklyn, New York, and Newark, New Jersey. Emma Nicholas died in Farmingdale, New Jersey in 1946. In addition to poetry, Emma Nicholas wrote jingles for fun and in hopes of winning prize money.

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:	Muriel Marjorie Boos Hanna papers, Ms. 90.11, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 Fax: 401-863-2093 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Muriel Marjorie (Boos) Hanna donated her papters to Brown University in February 1990.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by John Hay Library staff.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Mark Chepkwony 2008 November 11

Additional Information

Other information:

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Muriel Marjorie Boos Hanna papers

Inventory

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