Dr. Gwendoline Y. Fortune Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

TxAM-CRS C000552

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

(1926-2014)

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

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Finding aids

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Notes element

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Sources used

Archivist's note

Finding Aid Authors: Rebecca Hankins.

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