Ruth Marie Baldwin (1917-1990) devoted over 30 years of her life to the collecting of 19th and 20th century children’s books. Her collecting began in 1953 with forty 19th century chapbooks, a birthday present from her parents. In 1977 she donated 35,000 19th century children’s books to the University of Florida Library and came to the University as curator of the collection which was named in her honor. In the following 13 years she added to the 19th century collection and began collecting in the 20th century as well. By the time of her death in January, 1990, she had amassed over 90,000 English language children’s books from America and Great Britain.
Brief description of Baldwin Papers:
- Personal Correspondence
- Extensive Correspondence with Book Dealers
- Photographs
- Diaries
- Texts of Speeches
- Notes for an Unpublished Autobiography
- Card file of Books Purchased
For a detailed description visit the finding aid to the Baldwin Papers in the University Archives.