Doris Corbett Papers
Collection Scope
The bulk of the collection consists of Ms. Corbett’s research of Ellen Scripps Booth and Nellie Beveridge Gray. Of particular note are the transcripts of the oral histories performed by Ms. Corbett of Ms. Gray between 1984 and 1989. Ms. Gray provides insight into both Cranbrook and the Booth family in the last years of George and Ellen Booth’s lives.
Dates
- Circa 1873-1989
Creator
- Corbett, Doris (Person)
Access
Access to the collection is unrestricted.
Use
Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.
History
Doris Corbett was born on October 22, 1938 in Conception Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. She traveled to the United States at an early age, where she pursued her passion for education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in literature and education at St. Mary’s College, Indiana, her Master’s degrees in Asian Studies and History from the University of Hawaii and Eastern Michigan University, and an ABD in History from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She taught throughout the United States, as well as Canada to students of all ages.
While pursuing her doctorate in history, Ms. Corbett’s research brought her to Cranbrook to study the Arts & Crafts movement, Ellen Scripps Booth, and Nellie Beveridge Gray. Her focus turned to Ms. Gray, who was employed as a nurse and companion to Ellen and George Booth from 1935 to 1949, and later went on to achieve success in the art world. Ms. Corbett performed several oral histories with Ms. Gray from 1984 to 1989.
Throughout the 1960s and 1980s, Ms. Corbett was a well-known singer and composer of ballads. She performed across the Unites States and Canada. After a long battle with illness, she passed away on May 22, 1998.
Extent
1.2 Linear Feet (3 MS)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Doris Corbett was a history professor and well-known singer and ballad composer, teaching and performing throughout the United States and Canada. While pursuing her doctorate in history, Ms. Corbett’s research brought her to Cranbrook to study the Arts & Crafts movement, Ellen Scripps Booth, and Nellie Beveridge Gray. The bulk of the collection consists of Ms. Corbett’s research of Ellen Scripps Booth and Nellie Beveridge Gray. Of particular note are the transcripts of the oral histories performed by Ms. Corbett of Ms. Gray. Ms. Gray provides insight into both Cranbrook and the Booth family in the last years of George and Ellen Booth’s lives.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by record type.
Additional Access
An index to the collection is available.
Acquisition
Collection was donated to the archives by Ms. Corbett’s cousin, Marie Corbett, in August 2010.
Separated Materials
Audio cassette tapes have been transferred to the Oral History AV Collection. A CD of folk music in remembrance of Ms. Corbett has been removed to the Audio Recording Collection.
Processing History
Processed by Robbie Terman, 2010.
- Arts and crafts movement
- Bertoia, Harry
- Bloomfield Hills (Mich.)
- Booth, George G. (George Gough), 1864-1949
- Booth, Carolyn Farr
- Booth, Ellen Warren Scripps, 1863-1948
- Booth, Henry Scripps, 1897-1988
- Booth, James Scripps, 1888-1954
- Christ Church Cranbrook (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
- Composition (Music)
- Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Cranbrook Kingswood School (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
- Eames, Charles
- Ford, Henry, 1863-1947
- Knoll, Florence, 1917-2019
- Lindbergh, Anne Morrow, 1906-2001
- Marquis, Samuel S., 1866-1948
- Mexico
- Milles, Carl, 1875-1955
- Mitchell, Wallace, 1911-1977
- Nursing
- Oral history
- Pewabic Pottery (Firm)
- Saarinen, Eero, 1910-1961
- Saarinen, Eliel, 1873-1950
- Saarinen, Lillian Swann, 1912-
- Saarinen, Loja
- Scripps, Harriet Josephine Messinger, 1838-1933
- Scripps, James E. (James Edmund), 1835-1906
- World War, 1939-1945
- Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959
Creator
- Corbett, Doris (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Doris Corbett Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Robbie Terman
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.
Repository Details
Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository