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Dr. Levette J. Davidson in his office.
Dr. Davidson enjoyed interviewing a variety of people for information
about local folklore and customs.
Books belonging to the Levette J. Davidson Collection of Folklore
and Americana are identified by this bookplate.
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Collection
Overview
Creator: Davidson, Levette Jay,
1894-1957
Title: Levette J. Davidson Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1913-1957
Size: 8.1 linear ft.
Processed By: Finding aid and Web
version prepared by
Robin Beran, May 2000; revised May 2003
Dr. Levette J. Davidson, Ph.D., was a professor of English literature
at the University of Denver from 1922 until his death in 1957. He
was also a nationally acclaimed expert in folklore, especially that
of Colorado and the West. A portion of the collection consists of
his preparations for the courses he taught at DU, mostly concerning
the literature of Western America. A number of his students' papers
are also included.
Dr. Davidson was a director of the Colorado State Historical Society,
the Modern Languages Association, the American Folklore Society,
and the American Dialect Society. He was a charter member of the
Denver Posse of the Westerners, an organization devoted to western
folklore. Correspondence, notes and other materials related to these
organizations are included in the collection. Finally, the collection
includes notes, research, manuscripts, typescripts, and reprints
of his many writings, most of which are related to folklore and
literature. A few items pertain to miscellaneous subjects such as
intelligence, mysticism, and teaching methods. Much of the original
organization of the collection was retained with some minor revisions.
The material is organized by personal and organizational affiliation.
Davidson's course materials, academic writings, and students' papers
are listed in alphabetical order. The Davidson Papers are available
in Archives/Special Collections at the University of Denver, Penrose
Library.
Scope and Content
In 1960, the Levette J. Davidson Collection of Folklore and Western
Americana was established at the University of Denver, Penrose Library.
This collection, donated by his wife, Mary Davidson, consists of
Davidson's personal library of over 1,000 volumes that he accumulated
over years of study. Books in this collection are now housed throughout
the library, though some are available in Special Collections. The
items can be searched through Peak, the Penrose Library Catalog,
and are identifiable by a special gift book plate on the inside
front cover.
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