KENT, Rockwell (1882-1971). Archive of Rockwell Kent manuscript material, plus other manuscripts relating to Kent's widow, Sally (Johnston) Kent Gorton.

Sally served as Rockwell Kent's secretary both before and after their marriage in 1940. After Kent's death, she established and became the Director of Rockwell Kent Legacies. Papers include: Autograph draft letter, 4 1/2 pages, circa 1911. Kent seeks assistance: "Society frequently fails to meet men's individual requirements and one must have recourse to the kindness of individuals ... I am a young American painter age 29, one of the very few who [has] felt the promise of great American art." * Autograph draft of a letter to Mr. Kaufman as Secretary of State, 2 pages, circa 1916. Kent seeks assistance as he was charged with a crime in Newfoundland and needs the protection of his rights as a U.S. citizen, which were thrown into doubt by Kent's radical politics. "I present this matter again to the Department of State because it is intolerable to me to live under suspicion and I want now to finally to know what the relationship between my country and myself shall be." * Autograph draft of a letter, circa 1918. Kent proposes that the current owner of the land on which he was born (outside Tarrytown, NY) allow him to live in and restore the old house there in exchange for painting pictures. He cites the purchases of his work by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and by Mr. H.C. Frick as testimony. * Autograph manuscript fragment, beginning "Infinity lies heavy in God's hands. Imagine it!" On Egypt, Vermont letterhead, [1919-1925]. * About ten pages of undated notes, often autobiographical, written at different times, apparently from both early and late in life. * About 20 letters from and to Sally Gorton, and some manuscript transcriptions of Kent's notes.

Housed together in a custom clamshell box.