Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Custodial History

Dr. Sprague died in the fall of 1991 as the result of a fire in her Farmville home. This archival collection, held in the library, contains materials from both her home and her office, and were transferred to the library by Alumni Relations in the winter of 1991.

Biographical / Historical

Rosemary Sprague (1922-1991) was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and received her master's degree and doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. She also studied at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-on-Avon, and at Oxford University and the University of London. She taught English at Longwood from 1962 until her retirement in 1990. She was promoted to full professorship in 1965, and two years later she became Longwood's first Board of Visitors Distinguished Professor. She was the author of nine historical novels for young adults, biographies of Robert Browning and George Eliot, and a study of five American poets entitled "Imaginary Gardens." Additionally she was the author of the Sesquicentennial History of Longwood College. Dr. Sprague was an accomplished actress who loved the theatre her entire life. Prior to teaching at Longwood, she was the Director of Dramatics at Notre Dame College. In 1971, Dr. Sprague established the Victorians Institute in collaboration with two colleagues from the University of North Carolina. The Institute has developed into an international literary society. During her lifetime, she was involved in teaching, writing, acting, professional organizations, and community-based groups; but today, her legacy lives on in her writings that are held in libraries throughout the world.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists materials related to the life and career of Dr. Rosemary Sprague. Among the collection are correspondence, manuscripts, writings, personal and biographical materials, a collection of photographs, and a collection of miscellaneous materials.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Browning, Robert, 1812-1889
• Longwood University -- History
• Sprague, Rosemary, 1922-