Finding Aid to the Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot Papers
Text
JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, sketches, and paintings of
Lynchburg artist, Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot. Also included are notices of the artist’s
painting exhibitions, as well as notices of his performances in the Lynchburg Little
Theatre and the Floyd Ward Revue.
[Detailed finding guide available with the collection.]
MS1268
JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, sketches, and paintings of
Lynchburg artist, Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot. Also included are notices of the artist’s
painting exhibitions, as well as notices of his performances in the Lynchburg Little
Theatre and the Floyd Ward Revue.
BOX 1
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7
1-8
1-9
1-10
1-11
1-12
1-13
1-14
1-15
1-16
Article – Dictionary of Virginia Biography
News articles
Drawings – High school
Virginia Episcopal School (1920-1922)
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Interstate Fair Association (Lynchburg) – Awards 1921-1924
Passports (1924, 1957), Driving license (1957)
Studio – 704 Church Street (1927)
Mural – Lynchburg City Hall
Little Theatre (programs, news articles, photographs)
Set designs (photographs and photocopies)
Miscellaneous performances (programs and news articles)
Floyd Ward Revue (programs and news articles)
Inventory of paintings
Exhibitions
Class lists (Lynchburg Fine Arts Center)
BOX 2
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
Correspondence 1920-1929
Correspondence 1930-1939
Correspondence 1946-1949
Correspondence 1950-1959
Correspondence 1960-1969
Correspondence 1970-1976
Correspondence 1977-1979
Correspondence (Undated)
BOX 3
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
Correspondence (1942 – Jan-Apr)
Correspondence (1942 – May-Dec)
Correspondence (1943)
Correspondence (1944)
Correspondence (1945)
Correspondence (1942-1945 – Transcriptions & computer file)
(Continued)
MS1268
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS, Cont’d.
BOX 3
3-7
3-8
Military records
Sketchbooks from hospital in New Zealand
BOX 4
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10
Katherine Ketcham – Painting and correspondence
Miscellaneous hospital “theatricals”
Hospital snapshots, Auckland, New Zealand (Identified)
Photographs of chalk drawings – U.S. patients in hospital in
Auckland, New Zealand
Diphtheria slides
Medical drawings
Miscellaneous photographs (1940s – New Zealand)
Wooden medal box (World War II)
Drawings – American soldiers 1944-1945
Your Victory (History of the Pacific War)
BOX 5
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-10
5-11
5-12
5-13
5-14
5-15
5-16
Correspondence 1980-1989
“Get Well” cards and letters (1983 Hospitalization)
“In Memoriam” (1985)
Funeral prayer, editorial, will (1985)
Letters of condolence (1985)
Memorials (1985-1986) – Calling cards, memorial flower cards
Floral note cards (1987-1988) – Correspondence
Miscellaneous correspondence
Garden plans (1942)
Garden plans (1977-1979) – with photographs
Garden plans – Miscellaneous
Garden photographs (1980)
Garden photographs (1982)
Garden photographs (1983)
Garden photographs (Undated)
Garden sketches
BOX 6
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-6
6-7
6-8
Floral arrangements and canvases
Miscellaneous sketches
Dix, William S. – Painting and correspondence
Murasso, Ralph (1922-1977) – Photographs and sketches
Lancaster, Nancy – Addresses & telephone numbers in USA
Valentine to Abbot by Queena Stovall
Miscellaneous photographs, cards, magazine articles
Portraits and other works of art (American Philosophical Society
1961)
(Continued)
MS1268
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS, Cont’d.
BOX 6
6-9
Explanation of the works of painting, sculpture, architecture,
engraving, and lithography (1925)
BOX 7
Portraits – Slides, photographs of works in progress, completed works
BOX 8
Miscellaneous sketches and paintings; Sign painted by Abbot for studio
at 704 Church Street (1927); Large photographs of camp and hospital
personnel (World War II)
MS1268
JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985)
Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot was born in Lynchburg 16 January 1908, the son
of William Richardson Abbot and Lucy Lewis, and grandson of Elizabeth Langhorne
Lewis (Mrs. John H. Lewis). He studied with Sallie Lee Blount Mahood and her
daughter Carrie Mahood. Through the efforts of his grandmother and his aunt, Elizabeth
Lewis Otey, he was encouraged to pursue an art career and was able to tour major
museums and galleries in Europe. After attending Virginia Episcopal School in
Lynchburg, he went to Paris at age fifteen to study art under André Victor Edouard
Devambez. At age 17, he entered the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in
Philadelphia.
At age 19, Abbot opened a studio in Lynchburg on the third floor of Jenny’s Tea
Shop on Church Street. In 1934, he was commissioned to paint a mural, “Going Down to
Lynchburg,” in the new municipal building in Lynchburg. The mural depicted a tobacco
planter and a team of oxen drawing a covered wagon loaded with tobacco. A slave
driving the team is also depicted in the mural.
Abbot enlisted on 14 February 1942 for service during World War II. Following
basic training at Camp Lee, Virginia, he served with the 89th Field Artillery. He was
wounded at Guadalcanal and was sent to New Zealand for hospitalization. He spent part
of the war as a medical illustrator for the 39th General Hospital.
When he returned to Lynchburg, “Brookie” resumed his artistic career and
became the most popular portrait painter in the area. He was also involved with theatrical
productions in Lynchburg, both as set designer and actor, and was known for his wit and
humor. Of special mention are his floral paintings and his garden designs for his home in
Lynchburg.
Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot died on 29 July 1985 in Lynchburg and was buried
in the cemetery at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Forest, Virginia.
[Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot Papers, MS1268, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA]
MS1268
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, sketches, and paintings of
Lynchburg artist, Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot. Also included are notices of the artist’s
painting exhibitions, as well as notices of his performances in the Lynchburg Little
Theatre and the Floyd Ward Revue.
[Detailed finding guide available with the collection.]
MS1268
JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, sketches, and paintings of
Lynchburg artist, Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot. Also included are notices of the artist’s
painting exhibitions, as well as notices of his performances in the Lynchburg Little
Theatre and the Floyd Ward Revue.
BOX 1
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7
1-8
1-9
1-10
1-11
1-12
1-13
1-14
1-15
1-16
Article – Dictionary of Virginia Biography
News articles
Drawings – High school
Virginia Episcopal School (1920-1922)
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Interstate Fair Association (Lynchburg) – Awards 1921-1924
Passports (1924, 1957), Driving license (1957)
Studio – 704 Church Street (1927)
Mural – Lynchburg City Hall
Little Theatre (programs, news articles, photographs)
Set designs (photographs and photocopies)
Miscellaneous performances (programs and news articles)
Floyd Ward Revue (programs and news articles)
Inventory of paintings
Exhibitions
Class lists (Lynchburg Fine Arts Center)
BOX 2
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
Correspondence 1920-1929
Correspondence 1930-1939
Correspondence 1946-1949
Correspondence 1950-1959
Correspondence 1960-1969
Correspondence 1970-1976
Correspondence 1977-1979
Correspondence (Undated)
BOX 3
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
Correspondence (1942 – Jan-Apr)
Correspondence (1942 – May-Dec)
Correspondence (1943)
Correspondence (1944)
Correspondence (1945)
Correspondence (1942-1945 – Transcriptions & computer file)
(Continued)
MS1268
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS, Cont’d.
BOX 3
3-7
3-8
Military records
Sketchbooks from hospital in New Zealand
BOX 4
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10
Katherine Ketcham – Painting and correspondence
Miscellaneous hospital “theatricals”
Hospital snapshots, Auckland, New Zealand (Identified)
Photographs of chalk drawings – U.S. patients in hospital in
Auckland, New Zealand
Diphtheria slides
Medical drawings
Miscellaneous photographs (1940s – New Zealand)
Wooden medal box (World War II)
Drawings – American soldiers 1944-1945
Your Victory (History of the Pacific War)
BOX 5
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-10
5-11
5-12
5-13
5-14
5-15
5-16
Correspondence 1980-1989
“Get Well” cards and letters (1983 Hospitalization)
“In Memoriam” (1985)
Funeral prayer, editorial, will (1985)
Letters of condolence (1985)
Memorials (1985-1986) – Calling cards, memorial flower cards
Floral note cards (1987-1988) – Correspondence
Miscellaneous correspondence
Garden plans (1942)
Garden plans (1977-1979) – with photographs
Garden plans – Miscellaneous
Garden photographs (1980)
Garden photographs (1982)
Garden photographs (1983)
Garden photographs (Undated)
Garden sketches
BOX 6
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-6
6-7
6-8
Floral arrangements and canvases
Miscellaneous sketches
Dix, William S. – Painting and correspondence
Murasso, Ralph (1922-1977) – Photographs and sketches
Lancaster, Nancy – Addresses & telephone numbers in USA
Valentine to Abbot by Queena Stovall
Miscellaneous photographs, cards, magazine articles
Portraits and other works of art (American Philosophical Society
1961)
(Continued)
MS1268
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985) PAPERS, Cont’d.
BOX 6
6-9
Explanation of the works of painting, sculpture, architecture,
engraving, and lithography (1925)
BOX 7
Portraits – Slides, photographs of works in progress, completed works
BOX 8
Miscellaneous sketches and paintings; Sign painted by Abbot for studio
at 704 Church Street (1927); Large photographs of camp and hospital
personnel (World War II)
MS1268
JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
SCAISBROOKE LANGHORNE ABBOT (1908-1985)
Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot was born in Lynchburg 16 January 1908, the son
of William Richardson Abbot and Lucy Lewis, and grandson of Elizabeth Langhorne
Lewis (Mrs. John H. Lewis). He studied with Sallie Lee Blount Mahood and her
daughter Carrie Mahood. Through the efforts of his grandmother and his aunt, Elizabeth
Lewis Otey, he was encouraged to pursue an art career and was able to tour major
museums and galleries in Europe. After attending Virginia Episcopal School in
Lynchburg, he went to Paris at age fifteen to study art under André Victor Edouard
Devambez. At age 17, he entered the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in
Philadelphia.
At age 19, Abbot opened a studio in Lynchburg on the third floor of Jenny’s Tea
Shop on Church Street. In 1934, he was commissioned to paint a mural, “Going Down to
Lynchburg,” in the new municipal building in Lynchburg. The mural depicted a tobacco
planter and a team of oxen drawing a covered wagon loaded with tobacco. A slave
driving the team is also depicted in the mural.
Abbot enlisted on 14 February 1942 for service during World War II. Following
basic training at Camp Lee, Virginia, he served with the 89th Field Artillery. He was
wounded at Guadalcanal and was sent to New Zealand for hospitalization. He spent part
of the war as a medical illustrator for the 39th General Hospital.
When he returned to Lynchburg, “Brookie” resumed his artistic career and
became the most popular portrait painter in the area. He was also involved with theatrical
productions in Lynchburg, both as set designer and actor, and was known for his wit and
humor. Of special mention are his floral paintings and his garden designs for his home in
Lynchburg.
Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot died on 29 July 1985 in Lynchburg and was buried
in the cemetery at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Forest, Virginia.
[Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot Papers, MS1268, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA]
MS1268
Dublin Core
Title
Finding Aid to the Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot Papers
Subject
Finding aids
Abbot, Scaisbrooke Langhorne
Description
Finding aid to the Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot papers held at Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg, Virginia. Abbot was an artist and the papers include notices of exhibitions and performances in Lynchburg in the 1900s.
Creator
George M. Jones Memorial Library
Publisher
George M. Jones Memorial Library
Date
2023
Rights
George M. Jones Memorial Library
Format
pdf
Language
English
Identifier
MS1268FA
Collection
Citation
George M. Jones Memorial Library, “Finding Aid to the Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot Papers,” Digital Collections, accessed April 28, 2024, https://digitaljones.omeka.net/items/show/310.