Lorna W. Simpson Collection, 1930s-1988
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 7 Boxes (irregular size) 3 binders; 4 Hollinger boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Lorna W. Simpson Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Lorna W. Simpson Collection primarily documents her literary work from the late 1930s to the mid-1980s. It includes poems, fiction, and scripts for radio and television productions such as The Pelican's Pouch. The collection contains typewritten and handwritten manuscripts, proofs, drafts, correspondence, receipts, books, and booklets.
The collection is composed of 3 series (3 binders and 4 Hollinger boxes): 1. Poetry: The series includes several typewritten poems by Lorna W. Simpson that explore philosophical, political, and religious themes related to human nature in the twentieth century. Many of the drafts appear to be in the process of being edited. The series also includes two published collections of her poetry: Dear Public and A Lifetime of Poems – 2. Essay, fiction, and play: The series contains fiction writings by Lorna W. Simpson such as "The Pelican's Pouch", a TV shows aimed for children in the late 1930s – 3. Personal papers: The series contains correspondence, receipts from the Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress, and an article related to Florida's history.
- Biographical / historical:
Lorna W. Simpson (1908–1995) arrived in Fort Lauderdale with her family in 1923, after receiving her graduate degree from Stetson University. She began her career as a reporter and feature writer for the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun Record. She also became a writer for a children's nature show that aired on TV station WGBS, titled The Pelican's Pouch. This shows taught children about the unique value of the natural world around them.
Having a passion for aviation, she became a pilot in the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). In 1939, she received her Student Pilot Certificate, and in 1940 she earned her Private Pilot Certificate. In 1941, she became the first woman in Broward County to obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate. During WWII, Simpson was part of an elite group of women who ferried aircraft, tested planes, instructed male pilots, and towed targets for anti-aircraft practice. She also taught ground school for Ted Thompson at the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
In 1942, with five ground ratings in navigation, meteorology, Civil Air Regulations, engines, and aircraft, she became an instructor of cadets in ground school at the University of Miami.
After she married in 1944, she maintained two planes that she used for cross-country flights. She was also a member of the Ninety-Nines, the national women's flight organization founded in 1930.
Toward the end of her life, she published her poems in Dear Public and A Lifetime of Poems, 1929–1986, works that explore philosophical, political, and religious themes related to human nature in the twentieth century.
- Acquisition information:
- Lorna W. Simpson donated the materials to the Broward County Historical Commission on February 16, 1987 (Accession 1987.21). Richard M. Cromie donated additional materials on April 16, 2011 (Accession BCHA-2011.11).
- Processing information:
This collection received file level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Lorna W. Simpson Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library100 S. Andrews AvenueFort LauderdaleFL33301USA
