Finding Aid for the W.W Robinson papers ca 1843-1972

Descriptive Summary
Title: W.W. Robinson papers
Date (inclusive): ca. 1843-1972
Collection number: 2072
Creator: Robinson, W.W. (William Wilcox), 1891-
Extent: 97 boxes (48.5 linear ft.)7 oversize folders13 oversize boxes
Abstract: William Wilcox Robinson (1891-1972) wrote many pamphlets, articles, and books on Southern California history,
including: Ranchos Become Cities (1939), Land in California (1948), Los Angeles, a Profile (1968), and Bombs and Bribery
(1969). He also wrote poetry, fiction, children's books, and essays, and served on boards of numerous organizations. The
collection contains manuscript and research materials, papers related to Robinson's civic, literary, and social activities.
The collection also includes family and personal correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, and objects including awards,
keepsakes, and decorations.
Language: Finding aid is written in English.
Language of the Material: Materials are in English.
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA
Library Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA
Library Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the
creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Estate of W.W. and Irene Robinson, 1972.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], W.W. Robinson papers (Collection 2072). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young
Research Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
UCLA Catalog Record ID: 2723132
Biography/History
William Wilcox Robinson was born on May 1, 1891 in Trinidad, Colorado; moved to Riverside, California, in 1899; attended
USC; AB, English, UC Berkeley, 1916; served in World War I; moved permanently to Los Angeles, California, in 1919; married
Irene Bowen in 1923; while working as a professional property title researcher for the Title Guarantee (later named
Insurance) and Trust Company in Los Angeles, and later as vice-president, he developed an extensive knowledge of local
history and land development; wrote many pamphlets, articles, and books on Southern California history, including: Ranchos
Become Cities (1939), Land in California (1948), Los Angeles, a Profile (1968), and Bombs and Bribery (1969); he also wrote
poetry, fiction, children's books, and essays; founding president, the Friends of the UCLA Library; member, the Cultural
Heritage Board of Los Angeles; he served on boards of numerous organizations, including the California Historical Society
and the Southwest Museum; died September 1, 1972 in Beverly Hills, California.
Scope and Content
Collection contains manuscript and research materials such as clippings, transcripts of land commission proceedings,
pamphlets, maps, Robinson's publications, copies of books, and newspaper and magazine articles. Includes papers related to
Robinson's civic, literary, and social activities. Also includes family and personal correspondence, photographs,
scrapbooks, and objects including awards, keepsakes, and decorations.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
1. Biographical
1. Family Correspondence
Finding Aid for the W.W. Robinson
papers, ca. 1843-1972
2072 2