We are pleased to announce that The Papers of Daniel Chester French, a remarkable scholarly collaboration between Dan Preston and Michael Richman, has found a temporary home with Heritage Film Project. As part of this initiative, we have made a PDF version of the papers publicly available, offering researchers unprecedented access to a curated selection of French’s correspondence and papers from 1865 to 1931, along with a catalogue of his sculptural works.
This temporary hosting aims to bring Preston and Richman’s invaluable research to the attention of potential editors interested in developing a comprehensive online or print edition of the complete works. While the current release does not include the many illustrations and photographs originally attached to the papers, it serves a vital purpose: to provide scholars with an accurate and formal representation of Daniel Chester French’s complete correspondence and the chronology of his works, until a definitive editorial solution is established.
I view this collaboration with Dan Preston and Michael Richman as an extension of the same efforts that led to the production of Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor, a documentary soon to be released on PBS affiliate stations nationwide. Just as the film aims to illuminate the life and legacy of one of America’s most celebrated sculptors, the release of these papers ensures that French’s voice and artistic journey are accessible to scholars, historians, and admirers who seek to engage with his legacy in depth.
We invite researchers, institutions, and publishers to explore the manuscript and consider how this invaluable resource might be expanded into a definitive edition. For now, it is our privilege to host this important work and contribute to the ongoing study of Daniel Chester French’s life, art, and influence.
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