Margery Bailey scrapbook and diary

The donation includes biographical notes compiled by Bailey Cummings in 2010, with material from “Sandstone and Tile,” by W. B. Carnochan, published in Stanford Historical Quarterly, v. 26, no. 1 (Winter/Spring 2002); and “The True Adventures of John Steinbeck,” a biography by Jackson Benson. Benson’s book details Bailey’s association with Steinbeck, who attended Stanford between 1919 and 1925. By Benson’s account, Bailey was a famously difficult teacher whose withering criticisms helped sharpen Steinbeck’s prose style. Excerpts from a letter Steinbeck sent to Bailey on the occasion of her retirement in 1956 are reprinted from “The True Adventures of John Steinbeck.”

A scrapbook created by Margery Bailey during her undergraduate years (1910-1914) at Stanford University, and Mrs. Bailey's 1963 diary.

Margery Bailey's handwritten diary. Entries begin on January 1st and end on May 29, about a month before her funeral on June 24th. Margery Bailey notes the weather and writes mostly about days at work, mentioning various papers and projects she is working on at Stanford University. On weekends she writes about home life. Also included is Margery Bailey's funeral announcement.

A letter from John Wasson at Parsons College to Margery Bailey at Stanford University regarding a thesis he wrote when applying to a fellowship. Wasson asks about Margery Bailey's edits and requests further editing.

The file contains biographical notes compiled by Anita Bailey concerning the life of Margery Bailey. The documents include passages from "Sandstone and Tile" by W.B Carnochan and "The True Adventures of John Steinbeck" by Jackson Benson. Margery Bailey's education, her work, and association with John Steinbeck. Margery Bailey was one of John Steinbeck's professors. There are two copies.

Margery Bailey created the scrapbook as a student attending Stanford University. The album includes photos of students and faculty, letters Bailey received, event programs and posters, such as plays, operas, sports events, and newspaper clippings. The scrapbook also includes hand-drawn pictures by unknown artists, as well as many items of realia from Stanford.