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Robert S. Olpin papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0048

Scope and Contents

The Robert S. Olpin papers (1899-2005) consist mainly of Olpin's research, writings, teaching, and administrative materials. Included are correspondence, reports, meeting materials, newsletters, notes, data sheets, and many other papers regarding his tenure at the University of Utah. Also present in the collection are Olpin's writings and research on Utah art and artists. Included are materials on George S. Dibble, James Taylor Harwood, Waldo Midgley, and others. The Utah Artists Project files contain most of Olpin's research concerning Utah art and artists. All of his research materials for his dissertation regarding Alexander Wyant, as well as some personal papers, are also in the collection.

Dates

  • 1899-2005

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

Robert (Bob) Spencer Olpin (1940-2006) was a professor of art at the University of Utah for thirty-eight years and an author of numerous books on Utah art and sculpture. He was born in California and moved to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah. He graduated in 1963 and moved with his wife to Boston to attend graduate school. Olpin received his Masters degree from Boston University in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1971. They returned to Utah and Olpin began his long tenure with the University of Utah. He served not only as a professor but also chairman of the Art History Department, as well as dean of Fine Arts. He wrote many books on Utah art and artists and won numerous awards for his efforts to celebrate Utah art.

Extent

162 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Robert S. Olpin papers (1899-2005) consist mainly of Olpin's research, writings, teaching, and administrative materials. Robert (Bob) Spencer Olpin (1940-2006) was the dean of the University of Utah's College of Fine Arts and a professor in art history. He served as a consultant for and was a member of many national art organizations. He was also a co-director of the Utah Fine Arts Institute and president of Associated Art Historians, Inc. Also present in the collection are Olpin's writings and research on Utah art and artists. All of Olpin's research materials for his dissertation regarding Alexander Wyant, as well as some personal papers, are also in the collection.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-8 were donated by Robert S. Olpin in 1973 (6 linear feet).

Boxes 9-21 were transferred from the Marriott Library's Fine Arts Department in 2005 (6 linear feet).

Boxes 22-23 were donated by Robert S. Olpin in 2005 (1 lineat foot.).

Boxes 24-256 were donated by Mary Olpin in 2006 (118 linear feet).

Boxes 257-328 were were transferred from University Archives in 2009 (31 linear feet).

Separated Materials

Photographs and audio-visual materials were transferred to the Special Collections Multimedia Division (P0719 and A0881). A CD containing pictures from Waldo Midgley's sketchbook is located in the Manuscripts Division's CD case.

Processing Information

Processed by Della L. Dye and Lisa DeMille in 1974-2006.

Boxes 257-328 processed by Chelsea Olsen in 2014.
Title
Inventory of the Robert S. Olpin papers
Author
Finding aid created by Della L. Dye, Lisa DeMille and Chelsea Olsen.
Date
1974 (last modified: 2014 and 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863