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Papers of J. Rives Childs, Accession #9256-k, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
This collection was given to the Library by the Honorable J. Rives Childs of Richmond, Virginia on April 26, 1979.
This addition to the papers of J. Rives Childs consists of personal papers and material relating to Childs' Casanova research. Much of Childs' general correspondence concerns the publication of his books and articles, including his most recent books of memoirs, Vignettes, or Autobiographical Fragments, and "Brave Music of a Distant Drum." Other letters reflect his continued interest in the Near East, the Soviet Union, cryptology, and Randolph-Macon College, where he is scholar-in-residence and a member of the Board of Trustees. Noted correspondents include Cyrus Vance, Andrew P. Miller, and Senator John W. Warner. The collection also contains "A View of Life," an address delivered by Childs at the 1978 Randolph-Macon Convocation, as well as notes for other talks, newsclippings concerining Childs or his various publications, and miscellaneous personal papers and memorabilia.
The Casanova materials consist of correspondence, reviews, and miscellaneous printed material. The correspondence deals mainly with the 1978 publication, of Germany, of Childs' Casanova biography (first published in 1961). There is also correspondence with other scholars concerning the Casanova conference held annually in Venice since 1975 and Casanova Gleanings, the international book review which Childs founded in 1958.