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Dilworth family papers

Richardson Dilworth (1898-1974) was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1955 and served the city until 1962. With former Philadelphia mayor and U.S. Senator Joseph Clark by his side during his professional career and personal life, Dilworth’s reform policies led to urban renewal and economic developmen...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dilworth family (Creator)
Contributors: Bishop, Deborah D. (Donor (dnr))
Collection:Dilworth Family Papers
Collection Number:3623
Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects and Genres:
Dilworth, Richardson
Family life > Pennsylvania > 20th century.
Family life > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia.
Family life > Personal correspondence > 20th century.
Family life > Upper Class > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia > 20th century.
Spouses > Correspondence-–20th century.
Spouses > Correspondence.
Philadelphia (Pa.) > Social life and customs > 20th century.
Correspondence.
Online Access:Link to finding aid
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Physical Description: 3.4 Linear feet ; 9 boxes
Access: The collection is open for research.
Summary: Richardson Dilworth (1898-1974) was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1955 and served the city until 1962. With former Philadelphia mayor and U.S. Senator Joseph Clark by his side during his professional career and personal life, Dilworth’s reform policies led to urban renewal and economic development. His work inspired the creation of Independence Mall, Society Hill, and SEPTA, as well as community centers, the local public park system, and the restoration of the city’s parks and historical sites. Dilworth also advocated for organized labor unions, civil rights, public housing, water fluoridation, and constitutional revisions. He denounced municipal corruption, and segregation in private schools. This collection consists primarily of personal correspondence between Richardson Dilworth and his family, which includes direct members and distant relatives. Amongst the former are the following: his wife, Ann, with letters folded in their original envelopes dating from 1932-1935 and 1942-1943; his children, Anne, Patricia, Warden, and Brockie; and his brother, Dewees. Amongst the latter are his daughter-in-laws, Olive White and Elizabeth, the wives of Brockie and Warden, respectively; his grandchildren/the children of Warden and Elizabeth; his sister-in-law, Edith, the wife of Dewees; and his nephew, J. Richardson, the son of Dewees and Edith. Each of these individuals has at least one folder that contains their letters to Dilworth and copies of his letters to them, as well as scattered pictures of mostly newborns and children.

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