Amherst College Archives and Special Collections. All rights reserved.
© 2003 Amherst College Archives and Special Collections. All rights reserved.
George Wesley Bellows was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 12, 1882. He attended Ohio State University, leaving in 1903 for New York where he enrolled at William Chase's New York School of Art under the instruction of Robert Henri. He was made an Associate Member of the National Academy in 1908, and in 1918, was made an Academician. In 1910 he married a fellow student at the school, Emma Story. They had two daughters, Anne (the late Mrs. Maynard Kearney) and Jean (Mrs. Earl Booth). Bellows was awarded many prizes throughout his career, among which were the second Hallgarten Prize in 1908, the Sessnan Medal in 1913, the bronze medal of the Carnegie Institute in 1914, and the first prize of the National Arts Club in 1921. He is represented in most of the major United States museums and galleries. George Bellows died in New York City on January 8, 1925.
Correspondence, manuscripts, legal documents, certificates, contracts, awards, medals, exhibition brochures, newspaper clippings, magazines, photographs, printed materials, and 3 scrapbooks relating to George Bellows and his family. Much of the collection consists of correspondence, this includes letters between George Bellows and Emma Story Bellows and others. The bulk of the manuscripts and printed materials relate to Bellow's work, and include speeches, articles, and biographies. There is also a large section of photographs both personal and of his paintings.
This collection is organized into seven series:
In general, there is no restriction on access to the George Wesley Bellows Papers for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.
Requests for permission to publish should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections and to Laurie Booth, Trustee, The Bellows Trust. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:
[Identification of item], in George Wesley Bellows Papers [Box #, folder #], Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library
Charles H. Morgan Papers on George W. Bellows
Non-Alumni Biographical Files - Bellows, George
Mead Art Museum Collections (contact Mead Art Museum)
Section 1: CORRESPONDENCE, is divided into five sub-sections:
1. George Bellows
Outgoing Correspondence from George Bellows
Incoming Correspondence to George Bellows
2. Emma Story Bellows
3. Jean Bellows Booth
4. Anne Bellows Kearney and Jean Bellows Booth
5. Miscellaneous
Letters are arranged alphabetically by writer and chronologically under each individual name. In the case of official correspondence from libraries, museums, and the like, the place name is first, followed by the institution, e.g. The Public Library of Boston is under Boston, Public Library. Envelopes were retained if they provided additional information or sketches, and are placed in front of the letter to which they belong. Sketches are on some letters and envelopes, but are not noted in the guide.
Section 2: MANUSCRIPTS is arranged in three sub-sections:
George Bellows
Emma Story Bellows
General
Section 3: MISCELLANEOUS includes legal documents, certificates, contracts, and awards; information pertaining to the legal case against P.F. Collier and Son Co.; stories and articles concerning George Bellows; exhibition brochures; newspaper clippings; dance cards of George Bellows and Emma Story Bellows; and magazines.
Section 4: PHOTOGRAPHS includes photographs of George Bellows, Emma Bellows, Anne and Jean Bellows; three photograph albums; unidentified daguerreotypes; and a scrapbook with photographs of George Bellows on various sports teams.
Note: The photographs are fragile. Many photographs have been copied. Please use the photocopies first for identification. The actual photographs may be restricted for preservation purposes.
Section 5: PRINTED MATERIAL includes copies of The Makio, the yearbook of Ohio State University; The Masses; The Century; and Arthur B. Davis: Essays on the Man and his Art.
Section 6: MEDALS includes various medals awarded to George Bellows between the years 1914 and 1954.
Section 7: SCRAPBOOKS includes two scrapbooks. One is titled "Browne Athletic Club" and the second contains newspaper articles, reviews and cartoons.