Subject files generated by Goodrich in the course of writing a book (never published) and compiling an exhibition catalog for the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, N.Y., on painter Frederick R. Spencer. Files contain biographical data, primarily from printed sources; correspondence between Goodrich and galleries, historical societies, individuals, and surviving Spencer family members concerning the Spencer family genealogy, and the provenance of Spencer's paintings; the files on Spencer's paintings contain photographs, correspondence, and data on portrait subjects, and a few original Spencer letters.
Biographical / Historical:
Art historian; New York state. Dr. Goodrich was a professor at State University of New York at Oneonta. Frederick R. Spencer (occasional spelling: Spenser) was a painter and portraitist based in New York City. He became a member of the National Academy in 1838.
Provenance:
The donor, Mrs. W. J. [Vivian G.] Schmidt, Jr., is the daughter of Dr. Laurence Goodrich, and gave the collection in accordance with her mother's wishes. Goodrich died before completing the works on Spencer. The exhibition catalog was finished by the staff at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
