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Berryman family papers, 1829-1984, (bulk 1882-1961)

Berryman family papers, 1829-1984, (bulk 1882-1961)

Berryman family

Collection Information

Size: 11.3 linear ft. (on 11 microfilm reels)

Summary: Biographical material, diaries, correspondence, business records, notes, writings, art work, scrapbooks, photographs and printed material primarily documenting the careers of Washington Star cartoonist Clifford Berryman, and his daughter, Star art critic Florence Berryman; Jim Berryman's career is not as well represented.

Biographical/Historical Note

Political cartoonists and art critic; Washington, D.C. Clifford became a cartoonist for the Washington Post in 1891 and from 1897-1949 worked for the Washington Star, winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1944. His cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt, "Drawing the Line in Mississippi," 1902 began the Teddy Bear craze and created Berryman's cartoon trademark. He was the first cartoonist to become president of the Gridiron Club. His wife, Kate, was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Their daughter, Florence, served as an editor for the American Federation of Arts until 1944, when she joined the Star as assistant to art critic Leila Mechlin. In 1946 she became critic upon Mechlin's retirement, and remained there until 1961. Her brother, Jim, became a Star cartoonist in 1931 and during his career also won a Pulitzer Prize for his political cartoons.

Provenance

The scrapbook on reel D111 was lent for microfilming by Florence Berryman in 1962. Portions were subsequently donated along with the 12 ft. of family papers by Florence Berryman's estate in 1992. The whereabouts of the items in the scrapbook which were not donated is unknown.

Related Materials

Clifford Berryman papers also located at: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

A Finding Aid to the Berryman Family Papers, 1829-1984, bulk 1882-1961, in the Archives of American Art
AAA.berrfami
Author
Finding aid prepared by Jean Fitzgerald
Biographical Note
The patriarch of the Berryman family, Clifford Kennedy Berryman, was born in Versailles, Kentucky, in 1869. His first job was in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. He became a cartoonist for the
Washington Post
in 1891. From 1907, until his death in 1949, Clifford Berryman was political cartoonist for the
Washington Star
, earning a reputation as the "Dean of American Cartoonist," and winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1944. His cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt, "Drawing the Line in Mississippi," 1902, began the American Teddy Bear craze, and created Berryman's cartoon trademark. He was also the first cartoonist to become president of the Gridiron Club. His wife, Kate, was an avid member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Their daughter, Florence Berryman, 1900-1992, abandoned her study of music because of a loss of hearing and turned her attention to art. In the 1920s, she became a free-lance local art critic, writing articles for newspapers. She later assisted Leila Mechlin, as an art critic for the
Washington Star
. In 1946, Florence Berryman succeeded Mechlin and worked for the
Star
until her retirement in 1961. She also served as editor for the American Federation of Arts until 1944.
Clifford and Kate Berryman's son, James Thomas Berryman, 1902-1976, attended George Washington University and the Corcoran School of Art. He worked as a reporter for the New Mexico
State Tribune
, until his return, in 1923, to Washington, D.C. because of his mother's illness. He worked at the
Washington Star
, as an editorial artist and illustrator, until 1933, when he became a sports cartoonist. When his father suffered a storke in 1935, Jim intermittently drew political cartoons for the STAR. Jim Berryman also won a Pulitzer Prize for his political cartoons.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three series according to individual family members; each series is arranged into subseries and material within each subseries is arranged chronologically.
Series 1: Clifford and Kate Berryman papers, 1829-1963, undated (boxes 1-7, 11-12, OVs 14-15, 7.9 linear ft.)
Series 2: Florence Berryman Papers, 1902-1984, undated (boxes 8-10, 13, 2.3 linear ft.)
Series 3: Jim Berryman Papers, 1919-1964, undated (boxes 10, 13, 1.1 linear ft.)
Scope and Content Note
The Berryman family papers measure 11.3 linear feet and date from 1829 to 1984, with the bulk of the material dating from 1882 to 1961. The collection presents a good overview of the careers of
Washington Star
cartoonist Clifford Berryman, his daughter,
Star
art critic, Florence, and his son, Jim Berryman, though the latter's career is not as well represented. The papers also contain material relating to Kate Berryman, including a scrapbook and diaries.
The collection contains biographical material, correspondence, business records, notes and writings, scrapbooks, printed material, photographs, and artwork by Clifford and Jim Berryman and others.
Provenance
The scrapbook on reel D111 was lent for microfilming by Florence Berryman in 1962. Portions were subsequently donated along with the 12 ft. of family papers by Florence Berryman's estate in 1992. The whereabouts of the items in the scrapbook which were not donated is unknown.
Processing Information
The collection was processed in 1993 by Jean Fitzgerald.

Additional Forms Available

Microfilm reels D111, and 4767-4776 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.

Restrictions on Access

Patrons must use microfilm copy.

How to Cite This Collection

Berryman family papers, 1829-1984, (bulk 1882-1961). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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