Borglum, Solon Hannibal, b. 1868 d. 1922

Solon H. Borglum and Borglum family papers, 1864-2002

11.4 linear ft.

The Solon H. Borglum and Borglum family papers date from 1864 to 2002 and measure 11.4 linear feet. The collection documents Solon Borglum's personal life and his career as a sculptor specializing in Western themes through biographical material, family and general correspondence, writings and notes, research for his biography, financial and business letters, printed material, photographs and artwork.

Biographical material contains documents providing information on the Borglum Family history as well as Solon's military service and memorial. Also found is a leather portfolio of ephemera kept by Emma Borglum. Family correspondence includes numerous letters between Solon and Emma and various members of their extended family. The letters discuss family events, everyday life, Solon's military service, and family history. General Correspondence pertains to Solon's career as an artist and includes his incoming and outgoing correspondence with galleries, foundries, patrons, fellow artists such as Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and others. Later correspondence from galleries, museums, foundries, historical societies, and other individuals and organizations, is addressed to his daughter Monica Borglum and concerns Solon's artwork and legacy after his death. Writings and notes include material written by Solon Borglum and material written by others. Solon's writings include project proposals as well as essays, lectures, and other notes on the topics of his own works of art, art and form, and his participation in World War I. Also found are Solon's diary, notebooks, and address books kept during the last five years of his life. Writings by others include writings by Emma and others about Solon Borglum, as well as guest books for the Silvermine Group of Artists.

Biographical materical contains documents compiled by Monica Borglum Davies and her husband A. Mervyn Davies for a biography Solon Borglum. Included are their research files and notes as well as heavily edited drafts of book sections and draft manuscripts and notes. Financial and business records document Solon's professional career and legacy, including project contracts and financial proposals, account books, ledgers, receipts, and items regarding the Solon H. Borglum Sculpture and Education Fund. Printed material contains items about Solon Borglum's career and artwork compiled by his daughter, Monica Davies, and includes exhibition catalogs, exhibition announcements, brochures, programs, clippings, reports, and other publications. Also included is the textbook Sound Construction.

This collection also contains numerous photographs, including Solon's personal and family photographs, and photographs of his artwork. Family and personal photographs consist of photos of Solon taken throughout his career, including his time in military service, photos of his family and friends, various studios and residences including Rocky Ranch, and of him and and Emma at the Crow Creek Reservation. Artwork is comprise

Location of Originals: Reel N69-98: Original scrapbook returned to Mrs. Mervyn Davies after microfilming.
Reel 1054: Originals returned to the lender, George Borglum, after microfilming.

Circa 200 unfilmed photographs were received as a transfer from the NMAA Library in 1979, which had received them from Davies. The remainder of the the collection was donated by David Borglum, Harriet M. Borglum, Alfred T. Davies, Harold B. Davies, Monica B. Davies, Linda Borglum Fry and Gwynneth Kelly 1991-2004. Material on reel N69-98 lent for microfilming 1969 by Mrs. Mervyn (Monica) Davies, Borglum's daughter. Material on reel 1054 lent by George Borglum, son of August Borglum, brother of Solon and Gutzon.

How to Use this Collection

• The bulk of the collection has been digitized and is available on the Archives of American Art's website. Use of materials not digitized requires an appointment.
• The collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website. Materials not digitized include a few certificates, writings and notes not authored by Solon but by others, Monica Borglum Davies research files for and drafts of the biography Solon H. Borglum, A Man Who Stands Alone, 1974, some routine financial materials, clippings and magazines, and photographs of artwork. Loaned portions of the collection, most of which was later donated, merged, digitized, are available on microfilm reels N69-98 and 1054 at Archives of American Art offices and for interlibrary loan.
• This Collection is available online.
• Please read the Finding Aid for more detailed information on this collection.
• Selected images of documents in this collection are online.
• For more information on using resources at the Archives of American Art, please visit our Ask Us page