The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Nathan F. Leopold Collection 1926-1991
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Leopold, Nathan F. Collection |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1926-1991 |
| Size: | .25 linear ft. (1 box) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Nathan F. Leopold Collection consists of materials gathered by John P. Long, a classmate of Leopold's at the University of Chicago. The collection includes correspondence, which traces Long's involvement with Leopold and his case. The relationship between the two was reestablished in 1952 as Long assisted in the efforts to parole Leopold from prison. After Leopold's death, Long was contacted by Ronald Martinetti, who in conjunction with Leopold's widow, was working on a biography of Leopold. Other materials in the collection include news clippings and books. One of the books is a group of poems written by Jack Franks and dedicated to his brother Bobby, the boy murdered by Leopold and Richard Loeb. |
No restrictions.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Leopold, Nathan F. Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr. (1904-1971) is notorious for his partnership with Richard Loeb in the murder of a 14-year-old neighborhood boy, Bobby Franks, on May 24, 1924. Both from prominent Kenwood families and students at the University of Chicago (Leopold 1920-1924 and Loeb 1919-1924), they planned an intellectual exercise, "the perfect murder." They were discovered eight days later. With Clarence Darrow working for the defense, they were sentenced to life imprisonment. Paroled in 1958, Nathan Leopold lived in Puerto Rico until his death in August of 1971. Richard Loeb was murdered in prison in 1936 by a fellow inmate.
The Nathan F. Leopold Collection consists of materials gathered by John P. Long, a classmate of Leopold's at the University of Chicago. The collection includes correspondence, which traces Long's involvement with Leopold and his case. The relationship between the two was reestablished in 1952 as Long assisted in the efforts to parole Leopold from prison. After Leopold's death, Long was contacted by Ronald Martinetti, who in conjunction with Leopold's widow, was working on a biography of Leopold. Other materials in the collection include news clippings and books. One of the books is a group of poems written by Jack Franks and dedicated to his brother Bobby, the boy murdered by Leopold and Richard Loeb.
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Correspondence, 1942-1958
|
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Correspondence, 1957
|
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Leopold, "Influence of Castanar on My Own Personality," ditto, 7 pp. |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Newspapers clippings, 1944-1991
|
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Life Plus 99 Years, inscribed by the author to Jack Long, 1958 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Franks, Jack, My Blessed Little Pal, 1926, book of poems dedicated to Robert C. Franks, with frontispiece photograph of Robert Franks, inscribed by the author to "Miss Cooke" |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Correspondence, Ronald Marinetti to John P. Long, 1975 |