Marion Lynch Papers

Call Number

MSS.009

1962-2007 (bulk 1962-1986)

 1 Hollinger box (.4 linear feet)

Biographical Note

In addition to authoring five books, Ostendorf was a talented artist whose interest in Lincoln began at the early age of 12.  After graduating from high school, Ostendorf attended a local art institute.  His work took a short hiatus during World War II, when he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  Returning home at the end of that conflict, he worked as a commercial artist for the Journal Herald in Dayton and closely collaborated with cartoonist Milton Caniff in New York City.  In the mid-1950s, he became a self-employed commercial artist creating greeting cards, religious drawings, and pencil art.  However, his fascination with Lincoln remained and became the focus of his principal artworks.  His collection of Lincoln photographs was one of the largest in existence, leading him to later publish Lincoln in Photographs in 1963, a work containing every known Lincoln photograph.  Ostendorf was awarded honorary doctorates from Lincoln College in Lincoln, Ill., and Lincoln Memorial University, where he served on the Board of Trustees.  He passed away in 2000.

Biographical Sources: Chicago Tribune Obituary

This collection is arranged in two series. 

Series 1 is made up of the artwork of artist and author Lloyd Ostendorf.  The prints found in this series were created for use in Christmastime correspondence.  This series is arranged in chronological order.

Series 2 is made up of various publications detailing information on the activities and events that have taken place on the campus of LMU.  Series 2 is arranged in chronological order.

[Identification of Item], Marion Lynch Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Lincoln Memorial University, TN, USA.