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Ben E. Looney Papers

Collection 99

Looney, Ben E. (1904–1982). Papers, 1934–1979, n.d.

10 inches

Looney, Ben Earl, artist, writer. Born, Yellow Pine, Louisiana, June 2, 1904; son of Julian A. Looney and Mollie McKinney. Education: Louisiana State University School of Journalism; Centenary College; Corcoran Art School, Washington, D.C.; Eastport, Maine, Summer School of Art; Arts Students’ League, New York; studied watercolor under George Ennis. First head of art department of LSU; taught art, Sarasota, Florida, New York City, Weston Massachusetts, Bremerton, Washington, Greensboro, North Carolina. His subject matter was provided by 35 of the e 50 states, Canada and Mexico; 45 of his paintings and articles were published in Ford Times; one is in the Smithsonian Institution magazine. In later life made home in Lafayette, Louisiana. Never married. Published works include Beau Sejour, watercolors of Louisiana plantation houses; Water Colors of Dixie; Cajun Country, pen and ink sketches of the Acadian country; Drawings of the Vieux Carre, captions written in both English and French; Cajun Vignettes, short stories and poems; Looney Plants Grow Wild, drawings, paintings, whimsical horticultural definitions. Died, Lafayette, May 25, 1981; willed his body to Louisiana State University School of Medicine.

[Narrative taken from "The Dictionary of Louisiana Biography"]

This collection consists of prints, correspondence, short stories, clippings, promotional material, photographs and other miscellaneous materials.

This collection was donated by Perry Guidry.

Series:

A. Writings/Artwork 1-01 through 2-06
B. Biographical 2-07 through 2-10
C. Miscellaneous 2-11

Inventory:

Box 1
  A. Writings/Artwork
    1-01 Prints: Drawings by Looney, Ben Earl, n.d.
    1-02 Prints: Drawings by Looney, Ben Earl, n.d.
    1-03 Correspondence: 1950-1977
    1-04 Short Stories: A - K
    1-05 Short Stories: L - Z
    1-06 Clippings, miscellaneous dates
    1-07 Clippings, miscellaneous dates
    1-08 Magazines
    1-09 Publications: “The Ford Guide to Southern Journeys”, 1963
    1-10 Publications: “Ford Times”, 1955-1956
    1-11 Publications: “Ford Times”, 1957-1958
       
Box 2
    2-01 Publications: “Ford Times”, 1959-1961
    2-02 Publications: “Ford Times”, 1963-1968
    2-03 Publications: “The Story of Steen’s Syrup and Its Famous Recipes, n.d.
    2-04 Articles: “Works of Ben Earl Looney are in Spotlight During December: Beau Sejour Is Appealing”, 2 December 1972
    2-05 Promotional Material, miscellaneous dates
    2-06 Photographs, n.d.
       
  B. Biographical
    2-07 Personal, 1977-1980, n.d.
    2-08 Photographs, n.d.
    2-09 Financial Records Ledger, 1972
    2-10 Certificate: American Cancer Society Louisiana Division, Inc., n.d.
    2-11 Miscellaneous, n.d.