Joseph Cornell papers, 1804-1986, bulk 1939-1972

Series consists of the personal papers of Cornell's younger brother, Robert, nicknamed Snicky. Even though he suffered from cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life, Robert led an active and creative life, pursuing hobbies such as drawing, train collecting, and short wave radio, and sharing many of Cornell's interests such as music, films, and Christian Science. Stemming from his creative activities and interests, and his close relationships with family members, his papers include correspondence received by him ( See Series 2 for correspondence written by him), writings, art works, printed material, photographs, notes, QSL cards (which are traded amongst amateur radio operators), financial material such as his financial diary and receipts, address book, and his last will and testament.

It is possible that either Cornell kept Robert's papers amongst his own or that Benton placed Robert's papers in with Cornell's in the course of preparing them for donation. However Robert's papers came to be included amongst Cornell's, it most likely is not an accident. Both Cornell and Benton were concerned with how Robert would be remembered. This concern is reflected in Cornell's use of Robert's drawings in his series of memorial collages and in Benton's expressed tendency to include one of Robert's drawings (usually a copy) when loaning or donating Cornell art works ( See copy of letters to Aline Porter in Subseries 10.1). The fact that Robert's papers can be found amongst Cornell's can be interpreted as part of the family's effort to foster Robert's memory.

The Robert Cornell Papers are arranged alphabetically according to format.

The bulk of this series has been scanned; typically only covers, title pages, and/or relevant pages of printed material such as magazines and exhibition catalogs for artists other than Cornell, have been scanned.