New Orson Welles acquisition reveals never-before-seen work

The University of Michigan Library’s Orson Welles collection is now the world’s most comprehensive resource for Welles scholars and fans, thanks to a gift of new materials from his daughter Beatrice Welles.

Archivists have received approximately 21 linear feet of material that unveils a portion of Orson Welles’ life and career to which few have ever had access. “This collection marks the University of Michigan as the top institution to go to for comprehensive research on Orson Welles’ life and career,” said Philip Hallman, curator of U-M’s Mavericks & Makers collection. “It contains a lot of missing pieces from the ’50s and ’60s that represent his many identities — Welles as an artist, Welles as a young man, Welles as a father, Welles as a husband.”

Orson Welles, who died at age 70 in 1985, is best remembered for his innovative work in radio, theater, television and film. His 1938 broadcast of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” and 1941 film “Citizen Kane,” which he co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in, are among some of the most memorable creative works of the 20th century.

U-M welcomed the first addition to the Welles archive back in 2005; since then, it has grown substantially to become the most extensive international collection of items and materials on Welles. The collection can be found within U-M’s Screen Arts Mavericks & Makers archive, which also includes materials from Robert Altman, Ira Deutchman, Alan Rudolph, Nancy Savoca and John Sayles.