An Inventory of His Papers at the Harry Ransom Center
Creator:
Thompson, Richard D.
Title:
Richard D. Thompson Papers
Dates:
1953-1972
Extent:
5 document boxes (2.1 linear feet), 3 oversize folders (osf)
Abstract:
The Richard D. Thompson Papers
consist of personal and committee papers, including copies of letters sent, reports,
proposals, and a draft directory concerning professional theater design consultation
originating from his work as director of the United States Institute of Theatre
Technology (USITT). Thompson’s student papers from UT Austin and Yale are also
included in the collection, as is his salesman’s catalog from Ward Leonard Electric
Company.
Call Number:
Performing Arts Collection
PA-00093
Language:
English
Access:
Open for research. Researchers must create an online Research Account and agree to
the Materials Use Policy before using archival materials.
Use Policies:
Ransom Center collections may contain material with sensitive or confidential
information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and
regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information
pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in the collections without
the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of
action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning
an
individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive
to a
reasonable person) for which the Ransom Center and The University of Texas at
Austin
assume no responsibility.
Restrictions on Use:
Authorization for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the
owner of the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of
the
copyright holder which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information
please see the Ransom Center's Open Access and Use Policies.
Administrative Information
Acquisition:
Gift, 1982?; gift transfer, 2007
Processed by:
Erin Lawrimore, 2001; Helen Adair, 2007; Daniela Lozano, 2017
Richard D. Thompson (1933-2007) was a professional lighting consultant and a sales
engineer for Ward Leonard Electric Company. His father was a distinguished professor
of aeronautical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Thompson earned
a
B.F.A. from The University of Texas at Austin in 1955 and an M.F.A. in Technical
Theatre from the Yale School of Drama in 1961. He was among the earliest members
of
the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) in the 1950s, and was
an
active member for much of his life. He was elected Secretary-Treasurer in 1963,
and
worked with USITT to recommend revisions to national theatre safety regulations.
Thompson died on February 12, 2007.
Scope and Contents
The Richard D. Thompson papers, 1953-1972, consist of personal and committee papers,
including copies of letters sent, reports, proposals, and a draft directory
concerning professional theater design consultation. These papers mostly originate
from his work as director of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology
(USITT). Thompson’s student papers from UT Austin and Yale are also included in
the
collection, as is his salesman’s catalog from Ward Leonard Electric Company. The
papers are organized into three series: I. Correspondence, 1968-1971; II.
Organization and Committee Reports, 1960-1972; and III. Miscellaneous, 1953-1970,
undated.
Related Material
Thompson’s 1961 Yale thesis is located in the Ransom Center Library. Additional
material relating to the early years of USITT can be found in the papers of John
Rothgeb.
