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Caroline King Duer Papers

 Collection
Identifier: BC20-20

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The collection contains autobiographical narratives, correspondence, manuscripts, magazine and newspaper clippings, and personal papers related to Duer's volunteer work in France during World War I and her literary career. Included is a transcript of her "Reminiscences" for the Columbia Oral History Project.

Dates

  • Creation: 1905 - 1952

Creator

Access

This collection has no restrictions.

Publication Rights

Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Barnard Archives and Special Collections. The Barnard Archives and Special Collections approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Reproduction Restrictions

Photocopies or scans may be made for research purposes.

Biography

Caroline King Duer, 1865 - 1956, was born into a society family in New York City in 1865. She was the sister of Alice Duer Miller, 1874 - 1942, a Barnard College alumna and Trustee. She was educated at Bishop Doane’s school of Saint Agnes in Albany, New York. Following her schooling, she was sent to study nursing at Bellevue Hospital. Caroline worked primarily as a writer, and her work was published in prominent magazines of the time, such as Vogue, Scribner’s, Harper’s, Smart Set, and Everybody’s. She also collaborated on writing projects with her sister, who later became a notable poet.

In 1915, Caroline traveled to France and worked as a nurse in the bandage room at the Ris-Oranges hospital near Fontainbleau, France. Following the end of World War I, Caroline returned to the United States, and continued working in a hospital as a flu nurse. Eventually, she returned to New York, and began working for Vogue where she stayed for twelve years, rising to editor of the silverware and house furnishing sections. She retired in 1937.

In 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Caroline attempted to find hospital work again, in New York City, but was refused on account of her age. However, she was able to find night work at the Travellers Aid canteen in Grand Central Station. After the war ended, Caroline returned to writing. She passed away in 1956, at the age of 89.

Extent

2.36 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

Language

English

Abstract

This collection consists of the personal papers of Caroline King Duer.

Collection Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series:


Series 1, Personal Papers, 1905 - 1952
Series 2, Correspondence, 1915 - 1918

Physical Location

This collection is located in the Barnard Archives and Special Collections, Barnard Library. To use this collection, please contact the Barnard Archives and Special Collections at 212.854.4079 or archives@barnard.edu.

Acquisition Information

The acquisition date and source is unknown.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

Related Collections

Related materials providing further information about the history of the Duer family may be found in the following collections in this repository: BC 20.9 Alice Duer Miller Papers, BC 20.18 Duer Family Papers, and BC 20.19 Elizabeth Meads Duer Papers.

Processing History

This collection was processed and the finding aid written by Dinah Handel, July 2015.

Descriptive Rules Used: Finding aid adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Encoding: Machine readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002.

Finding aid written in English.

Title
Guide to Caroline King Duer Papers
Status
In Progress
Author
Dinah Handel
Date
© 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Barnard Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
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New York NY 10027 United States