Repository:

Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Title:

J. L. Styan papers

Inclusive Date(s):

1841-2005

Bulk Date(s):

1930-2000

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Edith Serkownek

Creation:

Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2012

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS

Origination:

Styan, J. L.

Extent:

10.66 cubic feet (14 boxes= 8 record storage boxes, 4 half size records storage boxes and 2 document cases)

Physical Location:

10th floor

Finding Aid Identifier:

OhKeUSC0139

Abstract:

This collection contains documents relating to the family history, education, career and writings of academic theater historian and author J. L. Styan. The bulk of the collection dates from 1930 to 2000. These documents include genealogical and family documents, personal and professional writings, teaching notes, and research.

Revision(s):

November 2022 - Updated by Cara Gilgenbach

Language(s):

The records are in English.

Biography of J. L. Styan

Teacher, director, author and theater historian, John Louis Styan was born July 6, 1923 in London, England. He attended the University of London where he received an Intermediate BA in Greek, Latin, History and English in 1941. Between 1941 and 1945 Styan served as a lieutenant in the Army's Royal Artillery. He was later graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA (1947) and an MA (1949) in English.

Styan began teaching at Falmouth Grammar School in Cornwall and later served as a staff tutor in the Department of Adult Education at the University of Hull in Yorkshire. Styan moved to the United States to teach beginning in 1963. While in the U.S. he held academic appointments in English at the University of Michigan (1965-1974), The University of Pittsburgh (1974-1977) and Northwestern University (1977-1988). In addition to permanent academic posts he also served as a Visiting Professor or Special Lecturer at a number of institutions throughout his career including the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, Northwestern University and Columbia University. He received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (1978) and a Guggenheim Fellowship (1983) and also served as the North American Chairman of the Academic Council of the Shakespeare Globe Centre.

Styan authored a number of books on performance and theatrical historyincluding The Elements of Drama (1960), The Dramatic Experience (1965), The Challenge of the Theatre (1972), Modern Drama in Theory and Practice (1981), and The English Stage (1996). Styan also wrote numerous scholarly articles and reviews.

Styan retired to England in 1988. He was married to Constance Roberts in 1945, and they had four children. Styan died July 1, 2002.

Scope and Content

This collection contains documents relating to the family history, education, career, and writings of British academic theater historian and author J. L. Styan. The bulk of the collection dates from 1930 to 2000. These documents include genealogical and family documents relating to Styan's own education as well as his military service during World War II. This collection contains information related to Styan's professional writings including related correspondence, book contracts and published articles, as well as Styan's teaching notebooks and theater research files.

Statement of Arrangement

The J. L. Styan papers are divided into series as follows:

• Series 1: Personal Files
• Series 2: Professional Files
• Subseries 2A: Professional Files: Teaching Positions
• Subseries 2B: Professional Files: Conferences, Lectures and Guest Faculty Positions
• Subseries 2C: Professional Files: Organizations
• Subseries 2D: Professional Files: Teaching Materials
• Series: 3: Writings
• Subseries 3A: Writings: Articles and Reviews
• Subseries 3B: Writings: Books
• Subseries 3C: Writings: Plays, Poems and Sketches
• Series 4: Secondary Sources and Research Files

Separated Material

Please note that books from the personal library of J. L. Styan have been catalogued in LIBRARYsearch and are housed in the LC-classified book collection in Special Collections and Archives.

Restrictions on Access

One folder of personal information has been restricted by Special Collections and Archives.

Restrictions on Use

Kent State University does not own copyright to the works in this collection. Please contact Special Collections and Archives for more information.

Preferred Citation

J. L. Styan papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

J. L. Styan donated his papers to Kent State University's Special Collections and Archives in June of 1996. A small amount of additional material was added at a later date. In 2022, Styan's daughter Tina Styan donated some additional publications, books, and a complete Cambridge Shakespeare set to the collection.

Subject Headings

The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:

• Styan, J. L. -- Archives.
• Drama -- Study and teaching.
• Drama -- History and criticism.
• Theater -- Great Britain -- History.
• Theater -- History.
• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Dramatic production.
• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Stage history.

Functions:

• College teaching.
• Authorship.

Occupations:

• College teachers.
• Authors.

Material Types:

• Personal papers.
• Correspondence.
• Instructional materials.
• Notebooks.
• Photographs.

Detailed Description of the Collection