Skip to main content

Ruth and Jean Henson papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS782f

Scope and Content

This collection contains yearbooks and notebooks from Powder Springs High School and Cartersville High School. Of particular interest is Jean Henson's 1913 yearbook, which contains some of his earlier poetry and prose. There is also a flier for a Ridgedale Baptist Church radio program called "The Hour of Power" and Ruth's freshman year cooking notes.

Dates

  • 1913-1920, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Ruth Elizabeth Henson (1900-1983) and Solomon Jesse "Jean" Henson (1895-1974) were the children of James Bargis Henson (1856-1941) and Sarah Frances Keys (1857-1912). Ruth attended high school in Powder Springs, Georgia, and later married Oscar A. Haygood (1897-1930). Solomon "Jean" Henson graduated from Cartersville High School in 1913 and served in the United States Navy during World War I. In 1926 Jean married Violet Constance Tyden (1887-1972), an English noblewoman with connections to the European art world. The couple moved to Hammamet, Tunisia, and built a palatial villa and garden complex which they called "Dar Henson," where they hosted artists and performers such as Cocteau, Man Ray, and Serge Liefar. During the Nazi occupation of North Africa, Jean was imprisoned in Silesia in 1943 under suspicion of being a British spy. Following his release in 1945, Jean spent the rest of his life in Hammamet with his wife.

Extent

1 folder(s)

Language

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Ruth Elizabeth Henson (1900-1983) and Solomon Jesse "Jean" Henson (1895-1974) were the children of James Bargis Henson (1856-1941) and Sarah Frances Keys (1857-1912). Ruth attended high school in Powder Springs, Georgia, and later married Oscar A. Haygood (1897-1930). Solomon "Jean" Henson graduated from Cartersville High School in 1913 and served in the United States Navy during World War I. In 1926 Jean married Violet Constance Tyden (1887-1972), an English noblewoman with connections to the European art world. The couple moved to Hammamet, Tunisia, and built a palatial villa and garden complex which they called "Dar Henson," where they hosted artists and performers such as Cocteau, Man Ray, and Serge Liefar. During the Nazi occupation of North Africa, Jean was imprisoned in Silesia in 1943 under suspicion of being a British spy. Following his release in 1945, Jean spent the rest of his life in Hammamet with his wife.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1992

Description Control

This collection was processed in 2017.

Title
Ruth and Jean Henson papers
Author
Joshua Whitfield
Date
June 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040