Jewels in the Crown: Clarence Darrow

Scopes Trial Brief, New York, 1925.

The Center holds an extraordinary collection of personal letters to and from Clarence Darrow, and collects Darrow’s works and those related to his life and career. Included in the exhibit are an eloquent letter from Helen Keller, concerning her political commitments and their conflict with her institutional duties, and warm Darrow letters to his wife Ruby and his son, Paul. A Persian Pearl, containing five Darrow essays, is shown in an inscribed, limited edition. The centerpiece is a brief from the Scopes trial, from co-counsel and ACLU general counsel Arthur Garfield Hays.

For more on Darrow, his cases and career, please see the Riesenfeld Center's award-winning Clarence Darrow Digital Collection.

Helen Keller, letter to Clarence Darrow, August 19, 1931.

Clarence Darrow (1857-1938), A Persian Pearl. And Other Essays. Aurora, NY, 1899.

Clarence Darrow, John Neal, et al., Statement of Facts, Assignments of Errors, Brief and Argument in Behalf of John Thomas Scopes … New York, 1925. 

Clarence Darrow, letters to Ruby Darrow, November 11, [unknown year]; and to Paul Darrow, May 7, 1922.

   - Ryan Greenwood, Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections