William H. Osborne Collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MG Nwk Osborne-(Fileroom)

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Manuscripts, I: contains a typescript copy of a novel, "The Taint in the Blood or the Taint." A literary agent's summary attached to the manuscript describes the book as "a story of business and political methods, and of a labor union." The events and characters are drawn directly from the history of Newark.

Manuscripts, II: another typescript copy of "The Taint in the Blood or the Taint"

Manuscripts, III: typescript copy of "Out of the Tub O' Blood

Correspondence: from McClure's Magazine (1903); copy of letter from Osborne to Lincoln J. Steffens describing the story plan for "The Taint in the Blood" (1903)"; letter from Wistaria Productions requesting movie rights for "The Blue Buckle" (1920)

Clippings (originals and copies, 1910-1920, most 1910): articles about William H. Osborne in Newark Evening Star, Newark Sunday Call, and others; advertisements for "The Running Fight" (with Newark Evening News receipt), "The Blue Buckle," "The Red Mouse"; book reviews; and a column on "What Newarkers are Reading."

NOTE: See also the New Jersey Historical Society, MG 1137, William H. Osborne Papers

Dates

c. 1903-1920

Creator

Osborne, William Hamilton, 1873-1942 (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopying of materials is limited and no materials may be photocopied without permission from library staff. Researchers wishing to publish, reproduce, or reprint materials from this collection must obtain permission.

Biographical / Historical

William Hamilton Osborne (1873-1942) was born in Newark and graduated from Newark High School in 1890. His parents were Joseph P. and Kate Hamilton Osborne. William Osborne attended Columbia University Law School (1890-1891) and New York Law School (1892-1893); he was admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars in 1894. He practiced law in New York and New Jersey; his Newark law firm, Osborne and Astley, was located at 800 Broad Street. In 1898, Osborne married Lydia Gelston Spring of Newark. They had had two children, William Hamilton Osborne, Jr. and Frederick Spring Osborne. The family resided at 213 Highland Ave., Newark.

In addition to his legal work Osborne contributed short stories to many magazines (including Harpers Monthly Magazine, Harpers Weekly, McClure's, and the Saturday Evening Post), published several novels, and wrote an original motion picture serial, "Neal of the Navy" (produced by Pathe), and other film scenarios. He occasionally contributed to legal journals and wrote articles on legal subjects for mass-market weeklies. He was a member of the Washington Association of New Jersey, served on the Executive Committee of the Author's League of America, and attended the North Reform Church, Newark. He died in 1942 and is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, Orange, NJ.

Extent

.42 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Osborne, William Hamilton, 1873-1942 (Person)

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Author: No finding aid, text from catalog and nap.rutgers.edu (Newark Archives Project).
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script