Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Dr. Gwendoline Y. Fortune Papers
Date(s)
- 1983-2014 (Creation)
Extent
7 boxes (7 linear feet)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Dr. Gwendoline Alpha Young Fortune , novelist, teacher, and singer, was born on September 27, 1926, in Houston, TX to Georgia Mitti McCain, pharmacist ,and William Hermon Young, physician and son of Harbison president Rev. Calvin Monroe Young. Gwendoline moved from Texas and lived in the Carolinas, Illinois, and Florida; additionally, she traveled extensively over five continents. She was a life long educator, classically trained soprano, writer, and winner of many awards. Gwendoline held a Doctor of Education, Masters of Philosophy and Science, and Bachelors of Science.
She studied voice, clarinet, and piano at Juilliard at age 14. She went on to be a beloved teacher at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. Since retiring, she published three novels: Growing Up Nigger Rich, Family Lines, and Noni and the Great Grands, with an additional memoir Outsider in the Promised Land to be published posthumously. Dr. Fortune died in Gainesville, Fl on July 27, 2014.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection consists of volumes of correspondence (bulk 2005-2014), video and audiotapes of Dr. Fortune's classical music performances, writings, business ventures, and research material for her published books.
System of arrangement
This was an ongoing collection with deposits made to the correspondence daily until Fortune's death on July 17, 2014.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Physical access
These materials are stored offsite and require additional time for retrieval.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Donation
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Finding Aid Authors: Rebecca Hankins.