Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Donald von Ruysdael Drenner papers
Date(s)
- 1936-1981 (Creation)
Extent
3.00 Boxes
Post-Fire Oversize Extent
Box 1 (16.5x20.5); 509S: 20/30/2
Box 2 (20.5 x 24.5): 509S:19/15/3
Name of creator
Biographical history
Donald von Ruysdael Drenner was a writer, musician, and radio operator who also spent many years working as a librarian and an engineer. Born in 1915, Drenner first began operating an amateur radio station in 1928, and he was licensed by the Department of Commerce as a radio operator in 1931. From 1934 to 1935, while attending the University of Kansas, he began working on his first novel and his first symphony. Then, from 1935 to 1938, Drenner completed his first opera, his second symphony, and a book of poetry. Drenner continued to work in radio from 1938 to 1941 as an engineer at radio station KGGF, while remaining a prolific poetry writer. During World War 2, Drenner served in multiple military radio operations including for the BBC in London and under General Charles de Gaulle at Radio Luxembourg in France. After the war, Drenner returned to radio station KGGF from 1946 to 1949, and he also published a book on radio engineering. From 1959 to 1977, Drenner was the head librarian at the Coffeyville Carnegie Public Library during which time he helped establish the Kansas “System Libraries.” He was also a biomedical engineer consultant from 1972 to 1981 at the Coffeyville Memorial Hospital where he established the Coronary Care Unit. Drenner retired from the Library in 1977 and the Hospital in 1981. He died on April 7, 1995.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection is composed of correspondence (1934-1981), unpublished literary works (1962-1966), private press publications (1957-1966), and private press samples (1952-1970). The collection as a whole contains information from 1936-1981.
The correspondence includes material to, from, or regarding Lewis D. Allen (The Allen Press), Amy Bonner (poetry), John Ciardi, Robert Conover (Kansas Magazine), Jack Conroy (The Anvil), Don v R. Denner, Paul Hayden Duensing, Ralph Green, Langston Hughes, Bill Jackson (The Four Ducks Press), the Kansas State University Library, Ester McCoy, and Courtland Mathews.
The unpublished literary works contain material related to Phillip Metzger (The Crabgrass Press), Henry Morris, Louise A. Moss (Excalibur Press), Marvin H. Neel (The Backwoods Press), Joseph Stanley Pennell, Bern Porter, Rex Warner, Lamar Wegand (The Private Press of the Indiana Kid), and John Ciardi, as well as some unidentified publications.
This collection's private press publications include material related to the Crabtree Press and the Zauberg Press.
Lastly, the private press samples are composed of material related to the Adagio Press, Anvil Press, Auerhahn, the Allen Press, the Backwoods Press, the Crabtree Press, John DePol, Paul Hayden Duensing, Henry Ebans, Eden Hill Press, Endgrain Press, Excalibur Press, the Four Ducks Press, the Grabhorn Press, Grosvenor Chater & Co., Ben and Melanie Grauer, the Grolier Club, the Gravesend Press, Joint Chappels, Lanson Monotype Co. , Joseph Low, the Pastime Printer, the Porpise Bookshop, the Privateer Press, Charles S. Ryland, Walter's 1987 Press, Steve L. Watts, and the Zauberberg Press.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged into 4 series by type of material: 1) Correspondence, 1934-1981, undated; 2) Literary Works-Unpublished, 1962-1966, undated; 3) Private Press Publications, 1957-1966, undated; 4) Private Press Samples, 1952-1970, undated.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
No access restrictions: All materials are available for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Alternative finding aid found here: https://web.archive.org/web/20210602162359/http://www.lib.k-state.edu/depts/sc_rev/findaids/pc1983-04.php
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
The initial donation of papers were assigned the accession number P83.04. Later is was assigned accession number P1983.04.
Immediate source of acquisition
Acqusition Source: Craig Miner
Acqusition Method: Donation
Acqusition Date: 19831201
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related Materials: P2001.07, Craig Miner-Donald v. R. Drenner collection.
Related descriptions
Specialized notes
- Citation: [Item title], [item date], Donald von Ruysdael Drenner papers, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Sources used
Archivist's note
Processing Info: Unknown author of biographical sketch. Achon processing completed by Edward Nagurny, graduate research assistant, January 2015.
Publication Date: 2015-08-03