The University of Iowa Libraries

Access: The papers are open for research.

Use: Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.

Acquisition: The Dorothy and Warren Wirtz papers (donor no. 181) were donated by Dorothy Wirtz in 1996 and 2004, and by Grinnell College in 2008.

Preferred Citation: Dorothy and Warren Wirtz papers, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

Repository:	Iowa Women's Archives
Address:	100 Main Library University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:	319-335-5068
Curator:	Kären Mason
Email:	lib-women@uiowa.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa

Dorothy and Warren "Jack" Wirtz, sister and brother from Keokuk, Iowa, were transfer students at the State University of Iowa ( SUI) (now the University of Iowa) in the late 1930s. While attending university both corresponded regularly with their parents back home.

Dorothy Wirtz graduated with a B.A. in French in 1939 and later earned her M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. She taught French in Minnesota and Wisconsin before moving to Arizona in 1950. Dorothy Wirtz held various positions working for the State of Arizona from 1950-1958. In 1958 she became a professor at Arizona State University, where she taught until her retirement in 1973.

Warren Wirtz earned a double major in music and French in 1938 and continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music. He became a composer, piano teacher and music critic for the MinneapolisTimes. Warren Wirtz composed over fifty musical works. He died in 1972.

The Dorothy and Warren Wirtz papers date from 1936 to 1991 and measure 2.5 linear inches. The papers consist primarily of Dorothy and Warren Wirtz's letters home to their parents describing their social life, courses and matters of interest to college students. Also included are letters from Dorothy's roommate, Jane Merrill Glass, three of Dorothy Wirtz's published poems and five journal articles on French literature, along with a published volume of poetry entitled, "Evolution." Brief biographical sketches of Dorothy and Warren Wirtz and three photographs complete the collection.

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.

Geographic Names:
United States -- Iowa -- Iowa City