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9 / Eleanor M. Davenport Norris had much in common with Eleanor Mack Davenport (1874–1941): they both began their studies at the University of California as “special” students, meaning that they had not yet declared a course of study; both eagerly sought the rewards of an active college social life; and both manifested an interest in things literary. While Davenport was a year behind Norris, the friendship they formed at Berke­ ley, beginning in 1891, the year that she and her family moved there from Redlands, California, continued after their college years, which her article on Norris in the University of California Magazine in No­ vem­ ber 1897 discloses (Davenport 1897), as do surviving letters from Norris to her and her mother, Elizabeth Hewitt Davenport (1849–1912), a social force in her adopted state. As a student, Eleanor Davenport served as vice president of her class when she was a sophomore, recording secretary for the Bushnell Union Debating Society , founding member of the Ciccada Club, formed to advance an appreciation of music among students, and associate editor of the 1895 Blue and Gold. Source: Eleanor M. Davenport to Franklin D. Walker, letter, Oc­ to­ ber 5, 1930, Franklin Dickerson Walker Papers, BANC MSS C-­H 79, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berke­ ley. My dear Professor Walker: I am very much interested to know that you are writing a biography of Frank Norris and shall be glad to furnish you with any material in my possession. I presume that you know that Charles G. Norris, a younger brother of Frank’s, lives near here. His address is 1247 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California. Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Norris was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, and her maiden name was Gertrude Doggett. She seldom spoke of her stage career, which, I believe, terminated when she was married and went to Chicago to live. Mr. Norris was in the jewelry business. I think that they moved to California for the health of the children, but am not sure. Part 2. College Years / 51 I first met Frank Norris when he was at Berke­ley in the class of 1894 and a Phi Gamma Delta, and he introduced his mother to my mother and me. Apparently she had been divorced for some time and I have always heard that Mr. Norris wanted her to go to Europe with him, which she refused to do because her children were young and that he then eloped with her niece.24 I do not remember hearing Mrs. Norris refer to her divorce but once when she said, “I was more sinned against than sinning.” She was a marvellous elocutionist and the finest Browning scholar I have ever met. She was tall and very stunning and she adored Frank. She lived in a very handsome house here when Frank was in college and appeared to have a very large income. She founded and supported the Lester Norris Kindergarten for many years.25 So far as I know both Charles and Frank Norris refused to have any thing to do with their father. Frank was extremely witty and quick at repartee. One incident I remember was in the early nineties, the day of the “Willie-­Boy coat” and silk hat, when Mrs. Norris had outfitted both her sons in the finest of these garments and they were walking on Van Ness Avenue here before the fire, when it was still a street of handsome residences. Frank looked at Charlie and then at his own clothes and remarked solemnly: “The management has spared no expense.” I have two or three notes, which Frank wrote to me or to my mother, but I doubt whether they would interest you. However, if you would like to have them, let me know and I will send you copies.26 Are you writing this article for publication? If you care to ask any questions about Frank Norris or his work, I should be glad to answer them to the best of my ability. Very truly yours, Eleanor M. Davenport Source: Eleanor Mack Davenport to Franklin Dickerson Walker, letter, Oc­ to­ ber 19, 1930, Franklin Dickerson Walker Papers, BANC MSS C-­H 79, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. My dear Professor Walker: In reply to your letter of Oc­ to­ ber 14th I am enclosing copies of the letters from Frank Norris, which I have preserved. From the morbid character of some of his books it is difficult to imagine [3.139.238...

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