F.D. Thorne Papers

1942-1953
Manuscript Collection #713
Creator(s)
Thorne, F. D.
Physical description
0.11 Cubic Feet, 1 item, consisting of a military librarian's diary.
Preferred Citation
F.D. Thorne Papers (#713), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Papers (1942-1953) including correspondence, description of scenery parks, hotels, travel by train, bus, etc and miscellaneous.


Biographical/historical information

F. D. Thorne served as a librarian in Washington, DC; Belem, Brazil; and Norfolk, VA (where he worked with the Armed Forces Staff College Library). He was an active participant in the Special Libraries Association. He held offices and organized lectures, joint military librarian functions, and local SLA chapter meetings.


Scope and arrangement

The diary concerns daily library operations and notes changes in local procedures and overall operating systems; processing section functions; job descriptions; employee relations; and the ever-changing qualification ratings systems between a part military-part civilian staff; and attempts at cooperation among librarians on local, national, and international levels.

Entries of interest include references to cultural events; daily weather conditions and descriptions of seasonal changes; descriptions of scenery, parks, and hotels; travel by train, plane, bus, and ship; food and lodging prices; overall impressions of people; cultural life in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Los Angeles, and Norfolk; and local entertainment, including the latest books, movies, symphonies and plays.

There is a continuing theme throughout the diary of Thorne's attempts to adhere to the principles of the Christian Science religion. Many teachings are interspersed daily as he contends with difficult personal relationships; physical ailments; and continuing bouts with depression, alcohol abuse, and loneliness. Throughout Thorne's writings, homosexuality is addressed as he deals with social intolerance, self-enforced isolation due to fear of discovery, and anxiety over the possible loss of his job and friends. He also mentions homosexual novels and the writings of Marcel Proust.


Administrative information
Custodial History

September 13, 1995, 1 volume; Personal diary (1942-1953) of military librarian. Gift courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Elmore, Greenville, NC.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Elmore

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.


Key terms
Personal Names
Thorne, F. D.--Diaries
Topical
Alcoholism
Christian Scientists--United States
Gay librarians--Diaries
Gay military personnel--United States
Gays--Identity
Gays--Mental health
Librarians--Mental health
Special librarians--Diaries