About the Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers
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Biographical Information | Description of the Collection | How to Use the Collection
Biographical Information [+]
During his lifetime, Francis Davis Millet (1846-1912), always known as Frank, was a prominent artist who was well known for murals that contained exactingly accurate historical details. His broad-ranging career included work with worlds' fairs in Vienna, Chicago, Paris, and Tokyo as a juror, administrator, mural painter/decorator, or advisor. In addition, Frank Millet was a newspaper writer who published short stories and enjoyed adventures as a war correspondent during the Russo-Turkish War and in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. READ MORE
Description of the Collection
Overview - Scope and Contents [+]
The Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers measure 3.25 linear feet and are dated 1858-1984, with a few scattered early eighteenth-century items, such as legal documents and printed matter. The bulk of the material dates from 1858 to 1955. Found are biographical materials, diaries/journals, family letters, notes and writings, art work, printed matter, miscellaneous records, and photographs documenting Millet's wide-ranging artistic and writing career and personal life, including his death aboard the Titanic. Also of interest are approximately twenty ink caricatures attributed to John Singer Sargent. READ MORE
Arrangement and Series Description
The collection is arranged into eight series:
- Series 1: Biographical material, circa 1864-1934 (Box 1; 6 folders; Reel 5903)
- Series 2: Diaries/Journals of Francis Davis Millet, 1858-1911 (Box 1; 0.5 linear ft.; Reels 5903-5904)
- Series 3: Letters, 1867-1915, undated (Boxes 1-2; 0.5 linear ft.; Reel 5904)
- Series 4: Notes and Writings, 1891-1970, undated (Box 3; 1.0 linear ft.; Reels 5904-5906)
- Series 5: Art Work, 1872-1908, undated (Box 4; 0.5 linear ft.; Reels 5906-5907)
- Series 6: Printed Matter, 1764-1984, undated (Box 4; 0.25 linear ft.; Reel 5907 and unfilmed)
- Series 7: Miscellaneous Records, 1724-1897, undated(Box 4; 7 folders; Reel 5907)
- Series 8: Photographs, circa 1883-circa 1910, undated (Box 4; 7 folders; Reel 5907)
Subjects
This collection is indexed in the online catalog of the Archives of American Art under the following terms:
- Subjects:
- Abbey, Edwin Austin, 1852-1911
- James, Henry, 1843-1916
- Sargent, John Singer, 1856-1925
- Titanic (Steamship)
- Subjects-Topical:
- Painting -- American
- Mural painting and decoration
- Painters
- Art -- Study and teaching
- Artists' studios
- Russo-Turkish War, 1877-1878
- Subjects-Geographical:
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Types of Materials:
- Photographs
- Sketchbooks
- Diaries
- Travel journals
- Works of art
- Names:
- Booth, Hilda Millet
- Millet, John A. P. (John Alfred Parsons), 1888-1976
- Sharpey-Schafer, Joyce A.
Provenance
The Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers were received between 1974 and 1996 from several family members. Most were gifts from Dr. John A. P. Millet, son of F. D. Millet, in 1974 and 1976. Additional letters to F. D. Millet were given by grandson, Frank D. Millet, in 1977 and in 2006. In 1987, granddaughter Joyce A. Sharpey-Schafer donated documents she had used while writing a biography of Millet. In 1996, David M. Emerson, grandnephew of F. D. Millet, donated loose sketches and miscellaneous printed matter.
In 1974, Charles S. Millet, grandnephew of F. D. Millet, donated a copy of his brief biography he wrote on F. D. Millet. Also in 1974, Mrs. William King, granddaughter of F. D. Millet gave photographs of F. D. Millet and his art work, along with various printed matter.
How the Collection was Processed
The collection was processed by Catherine S. Gaines in 2003, merging all earlier accessions. The newly arranged materials were microfilmed on reels 5903-5907, except for the 2006 donation of seven letters and a few newspapers. The microfilm was digitized in 2007 with funding provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
How to Use the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
The microfilm of this collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website.
Available Formats
This collection has been digitized. View the Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers online
The microfilm of this collection was digitized in 2007 and is available via the Archives of American Art's website. The collection is also available on 35 mm microfilm reels 5903-5907 at Archives of American Art offices, and through interlibrary loan.
Related Collections
Found within the holdings of the Archives of American Art are several collections related to Francis Davis Millet, including five letters from Millet to Miss Ward and "Ticknor" and a collection of Francis Millet Rogers research material regarding Francis Davis Millet. The Philip Martiny papers contains two group photographs that include F. D. Millet. A letter describing a visit to Millet's studio is among the William Cushing Loring Papers. The American Academy in Rome records include documents created by F. D. Millet in his capacity as Secretary from 1904-1907 and as Chief Administrator in Rome, 1911-1912.
Separated Materials
Charles S. Millet loaned photographs, biographical information, and miscellaneous items for microfilming in 1974 on reel 849. In 1976, he loaned an album of photographs of F. D. Millet's murals in the Baltimore Customs House, with related printed matter for microfilming on reel 1080. After microfilming, the materials were returned to Charles S. Millet.
How to Cite this Collection
Francis Davis Millet and Millet family papers, 1858-1984 (bulk 1858-1955). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.