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Robert K. Kyle collection

 Collection
Identifier: L312

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence, papers, ephemera, personal and published writings, scrapbooks, clippings, and photographs from Robert K. Kyle in Bourbon, Culver, Indianapolis, and other places in Indiana ranging from 1912 to 1979, regarding his family, interests, and career in journalism, newspaper editing, and civil service with the Indiana Department of Conservation. The subject files often include essays or articles written by Kyle on the topic.

There are also blueprints for the home of Robert K. Kyle and an Indianapolis Press Club award from 1974 (OBC090).

Dates

  • 1912-1979

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Biographical Note

Robert K. Kyle was born to David M. and Edith Adel (Keller) Kyle on August 11, 1898 in Bourbon, Marshall County, Indiana. Beginning in 1921, Kyle began hist journalism career at the Indianapolis News in 1921 and worked for multiple papers in New York. In 1925, he worked as a publicist for First National Pictures, which was absorbed by Warner Brothers in 1928. His position there led to his involvement with the Scopes Monkey Trial and temporary employment with Hearst newspapers to cover the trial. After the 1928 merger with Warner Brothers, Kyle worked for Fox Motion Picture Company as a script writer before returning to Indiana and held various newspaper positions in Mishawaka, Culver, South Bend, and Indianapolis, including copy editor, news editor, advertising, and copy reader. Kyle eventually became an editor for the Indianapolis Star and would frequently write about Indiana politics.

He married Mildred E. Busart, a school teacher, on April 23, 1938 in Marion County, Indiana. The couple moved to Culver, Indiana by 1938. Kyle also handled several political publicity campaigns, including Glen Hillis for governor, James E. Emmert for attorney general and judge. Kyle also served as the head of the Indiana Department of Conservation. Mildred E. Kyle died on May 18, 1976 in Plymouth, Indiana. Robert K. Kyle died on April 20, 1979 in Plymouth and was buried in Culver Masonic Cemetery in Culver.

Sources:

Ancestry.com. "Mildred E. Kyle." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011. Accessed March 29, 2021. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.

Ancestry.com. "Robert K. Kyle." 1900-1940 United States Federal Censuses. Accessed March 29, 2021. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.

Ancestry.com. "Robert K. Kyle." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011. Accessed March 29, 2021. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.

Ancestry.com. "Robert K. Kyle." Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2012. Accessed March 29, 2021. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.

Findagrave.com. "Robert K. Kyle." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed Decmber 31, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251004775/robert_k_kyle.

Extent

2.06 Cubic Feet (3 manuscript boxes, 2 custom boxes, 1 large oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Related Archival Material

Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN:

OH163: Robert K. Kyle oral history

P006: Robert K. Kyle photograph collection

Processing Information

Photographs processed 2011/08 by Treva L. Nally. Collection processing completed 2016/03/15 by Patrick Ridout. EAD finding aid created 2016/03/15 by Patrick Ridout. EAD finding aid revised 2021/03/29 by Brittany Kropf; 2021/10/28 by Lauren Patton. Collection reprocessing completed 2024/12/31 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid revised 2024/12/31 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
Robert K. Kyle collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671