Dr. Edward L. Longley (1925 – 2006) was an educator and American watercolor painter from Baltimore, Maryland. He studied at Columbia University Teacher’s College, American University, Penn State College, and the University of Maryland, where he was an Associate Professor of Art Education from 1952 to 1984. His work has been displayed in both prominent and local spaces since 1964. During his tenure, both Jim Henson and Jane Henson studied puppetry in his courses. The Edward L. Longley papers consists of works and materials related to Longley as a professor at the University of Maryland as well as original art by Henson, photographs, newsclippings, publications, and programs.
There are no restricted files in this collection. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator: Tel: 301.405.9220, Email: scpa@umd.edu
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the physical gift of the materials. The Edward L. Longley estate or his heirs, or any publishers, retain any copyright possessed in the papers. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
1.50 Linear Feet
English
The Edward L. Longley papers covers the period from 1954 to 2008; the bulk of the materials date from 1979 to 1997. This collection includes a brief biography and lesson plan on puppetry, but the majority consists of newspaper clipping and various periodicals featuring narratives on Jim Henson’s career. Also included are a few photographs of Jim Henson and his artwork, student papers that were written during the time Longley was a professor at the University of Maryland, and works and related items to Longley. A feature of the collection is two original visual art works that Jim Henson gave to his teaching: a handmade holiday card and a study referred to as “leaping figures.”
Edward L. Longley was an educator and artist based in Olney, Maryland, who was originally a native of Baltimore. He studied at the University of Maryland, Columbia University Teachers College, American University, and Pennsylvania State University. In 1984, after 32 years, he retired from the University of Maryland as an Associate Professor in Art Education. During his tenure, both Jim Henson and Jane Henson studied puppetry in his courses. Since 1964, his paintings were almost exclusively in watercolor, but he exhibited oil, acrylic, pen, and ink works. He exhibited much of his work in galleries in the Maryland and Washington D.C area. In 1989, his work was accepted at the American Watercolor Society of New York and, in 1991, he received a patron purchase award from the Watercolor USA show at the Springfield Art Museum in Missouri. Dr. Longley won a number of awards from the Baltimore Watercolor Society and the Olney Art Association, among others. His individual works also won awards and were reproduced. He died in 2006 at his home following a brief illness.
This collection is organized into seven series.
Sharon Longley (his wife) donated the materials in August 2012 and made an additional donation in May 2014.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library