Special Collections Finding Aids

Richard Rodgers Collection - Manuscripts

Accession: SC1998.87

Location: M2A 8,4

Size: .1 feet

Biography: Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) was a major composer of musicals during the mid-twentieth century. He was born on Long Island and, apart from early piano lessons, was largely self-taught. He began publishing songs in 1919 and contributed several to "Poor Little Ritz Girl" a 1920 musical. He is best known for his collaborations with Oscar Hammerstein and for the musicals "Oklahoma!" "The King and I," and "The Sound of Music," the first of which was not only record-breaking financially but also a great critical success and is still considered a classic of musical theater.

Provenance: In 1920 Rodgers was employed by Camp Paradox to write songs for the summer camp musical productions. Lawrence J. Wagner, a Rochester realtor and part owner of the camp, retained these manuscripts. After Wagner's death, his widow passed them on to Paul Guzzetta, a local music teacher. Guzzetta in turn donated them to Sibley Music Library in 1993.

Scope and Content: The collection consists of manuscript songs probably in the hand of Richard Rodgers and reproductions of other songs.

Restrictions: Copyright restrictions apply.

Series: 1

Series Name: Manuscripts

Series Description: The series consists of manuscripts and manuscript reproductions.