Guide to the William Paterson papers, 1919-2003

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

Published in 2005

Collection Overview

Title:	William Paterson papers
Date range:	1919-2003, (bulk 1940-1992)
Creator:	Paterson, William, 1919-2003
Extent:	1.5 linear feet
Abstract:	The William Paterson Papers, dating from 1919-2003, include photographs, plays in manuscript, an autobiography in manuscript, a pen and ink drawing, clippings, military decorations, acting awards, pamphlets, and other documents. Paterson, a Brown University graduate (Class of 1941) and a World War II veteran, was an actor by profession. He joined the Cleveland Playhouse in 1947 and worked there for the next 20 years. In 1967 he joined the American Conservatory Theatre where he remained for over 30 years. He also occasionally performed in television and film productions.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 2005.1

Scope & content

A collection of miscellaneous materials chiefly documenting the acting career of William Paterson from his start at the Cleveland Playhouse in 1947, where he remained for 20 seasons, to his 30-plus year stay at the American Conservatory Theatre, which he joined in its inaugural season in 1967. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs, mostly documenting Paterson in various acting roles. It also includes three unpublished manuscripts of plays, two of which were written by Paterson; a bound, typescript autobiography; reel-to-reel audio tapes of theatrical productions and one voice demo. In addition, the collection comprises such articles as a pen and ink portrait, various acting awards, military decorations, and other documents.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Paterson, William, 1919-2003
• Paterson, Cora
• Burns, deHayen

Subject Names

• Paterson, William, 1919-2003
• Paterson, Cora
• Best, Patricia
• Ball, William, 1931-

Subject Organizations

• Brown University--Alumni and alumnae
• Cleveland Play House (Ohio)
• American Conservatory Theatre
• Brown University. Sock and Buskin Drama Club

Subject Topics

• Actors--United States
• Motion picture actors and actresses--United States

• Solid seasons

• The Demi-Gods

• Partisan ostrich

• The murder of Thursday last, or, The decline and flop of a nepotist

Document Types

• Photographs
• Photograph albums
• Manuscripts
• Manuscripts for publication
• Audiotapes
• Plays
• Autobiographies
• Portraits

Subject Topics

• Performing Arts

Occupations

• Actors
• Motion picture actors and actresses
• Soldiers
• Dramatists

Arrangement

This collection is organized into the following series:

• Series 1. Photographs and drawing
• Series 2. Ephemera
• Series 3. Manuscripts
• Series 4. Audio-visual
• Series 5. Awards and military decorations
• Series 6. Miscellaneous

Biographical note

William Paterson, born on July 7, 1919, in Buffalo, New York, graduated from Brown University in 1941, with honors in English Literature. While at Brown University, he joined the Sock and Buskin Drama Club and spent his summer breaks acting in productions at the Pine Grove Playhouse in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. After graduation, he joined the United States Army for four years, including nine months of active combat in Europe. He earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service and a Purple Heart after being wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He was also awarded five Campaign Stars. During this period, Paterson was briefly married to Patricia Best.

After his return home from military service, Paterson joined the Cleveland Playhouse. During his fourth year there he married Cora Beams, a hair stylist who sometimes worked on Playhouse productions. In addition to performing in various Playhouse productions, he took time out to act in four national tours of his own one-man biographical shows, portraying Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. and Benjamin Franklin, among others.

In 1967, Paterson joined the American Conservatory Theatre during its inaugural season, at the request of its founder and then artistic director, William Ball. He performed in works ranging from William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw to Harold Pinter and Sam Shepard. For 14 years, he played the part of Ebenezer Scrooge in the theatre's holiday production of A Christmas Carol which was broadcast on television in 1981.

Paterson received numerous awards during his acting career. He also served on both the San Francisco Arts Commission and the American Conservatory Theatre Commission. He died of lung cancer on September 3, 2003, at his home in San Francisco.

Filmography:

• Pacific Heights (1990) as Mr. Hill
• Hard Traveling (1985)as Sheriff
• Hear No Evil (1982) (TV) as Minister
• A Christmas Carol (1981) (TV) as Ebenezer Scrooge
• The Taming of the Shrew (1976) (TV) as Baptista
• At Long Last Love (1975) as Murray (Poker Party)
• Dirty Harry (1971) as Appellate Court Judge Bannerman

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:	William Paterson papers, Ms. 2005.1, 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:	The Paterson Papers were received in 2004.
Processing information:	The title page photograph is William Paterson as George Moore in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers at the American Conservatory Theater in December, 1974.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Robert J. Rosa.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Robert J. Rosa 2005 Jun 2

Additional Information

Other information:

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: William Paterson papers

Inventory

---