Clara Louisa Penney (September 23, 1888—October 18, 1970) was a curator of manuscripts and rare books for the

Hispanic Society of America The Hispanic Society of America operates a museum and reference library for the study of the arts and cultures of Spain and Portugal and their former colonies in Latin America, the Spanish East Indies, and Portuguese India. Despite the name, it ...

in New York City.

Early life

Penney was the third child of four, born in Clifton, Maine. She attended Cambridge Latin School at the request of an aunt before enrolling and graduating from

Simmons College Institutions of learning called Simmons College or Simmons University include: * Simmons University, a women's liberal arts college in Boston, Massachusetts * Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically black college in Louisville, Kentucky * Har ...

in 1912. Penney would return to Clifton in the summertime at her childhood home, gardening, landscaping, and tending for birds. She died in 1970 after a fall left her unable to return to work, and her heart failed after a

Career

After her graduation, Penney worked as a special cataloguer for the libraries of New York, Congress, and institutions such as Harvard, University of Maine, and MIT. Penney was brought into the Hispanic Society of America by its founder,

Archer Milton Huntington Archer Milton Huntington (March 10, 1870 – December 11, 1955) was a philanthropist and scholar, primarily known for his contributions to the field of Hispanic Studies. He founded The Hispanic Society of America in New York City, and made n ...

, in early 1919. She spent years chronicling the Spanish books and manuscripts for the Hispanic Society of New York. She was sent on trips to Spain by Huntington, to increase her knowledge of the works. She published ''Lists of Books Printed 1601-1700'' in 1938. She continued study, working deeply on the ''

Celestina Celestina may refer to: In arts and entertainment: *''La Celestina'', a 15th-century Spanish novel * ''Celestina'' (novel), an 18th-century English work by poet Charlotte Turner Smith *''La Celestina'', Spanish title of ''The Wanton of Spain'', a 1 ...

'''s early editions. When Huntington died in 1955, Penney was instructed to open a vault. Opened in 1956, the vault contained many thousands of uncatalogued manuscripts. She labored with the help of Maria Brey and Antonio Rodriguez-Monino to create a catalogue three-volumes long of the 15th through 17th century Spanish poetry. Penney lectured in Puerto Rico at the Casa del Libro and University of San Juan in 1960, while continuing to mentor students, revise ''Lists'', and write books and articles. Penney worked at the Hispanic Society for over 50 years until her death in 1970.

Works

* Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627) *''Lists of Books Printed 1601-1700'' (1938) *''List of Books Printed before 1601'' (circa 1929) *''List of Books Printed 1498-1700'' (1965 revision of ''Lists'') *''Celestine: The book called Celestina'' (1954) *''Album of Selected Bookbindings'' (1967)

Awards and membership

* Mitre Medal (1937) * Medal of Arts and Literature (1953) * Member of The Hispanic Society of America (corresponding, 1924; full, 1939)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Penney, Clara Louisa 1888 births 1970 deaths American art curators American women curators 20th-century American women writers 20th-century American writers