Welcome to the Education page. Teachers, students, or researchers of any position or field will find useful materials including an ever expanding Bibliography, a large collection of Teaching Materials, Wilder Queries asked by visitors like you, information on Research Grants, and additional resources for your research or classroom needs.
The Educational area is an ongoing project. If you would like to contribute your materials to the construction of this page, please contact the Thornton Wilder Society.
Bibliography
Thornton Wilder: A Select Bibliography
Teaching Wilder
Teaching Materials
For both educators and students, this area includes items such as discussion questions, presentation assignments, paper assignments, and syllabi. View and download the Wilder teaching materials.
Videos
Technology can connect us to playwrights, professional actors, scholars, and Wilder enthusiasts through video, providing a more immersive experience. Watch the Thornton Wilder videos.
Wilder in the Contemporary Classroom
In an article for the Thornton Wilder Society Newsletter, college professor Lincoln Konkle shares his perspective on teaching Thornton Wilder’s work to a new generation of students. Read Dr. Konkle’s article on teaching Wilder.
For more information on the Thornton Wilder Society Newsletter, visit our Membership page.
Research Resource: Thornton Wilder Papers
The Thornton N. Wilder Papers in Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library document Wilder’s personal and literary life and include correspondence, manuscripts, personal papers, printed material, photographs, memorabilia, and recordings. The collection extends to approximately 100 linear feet. A finding aid by Beinecke archivist Diane Ducharme containing a full description of the papers and the list of their contents is the most helpful place to begin research. Visit Yale University’s online guide to the Thornton Wilder Papers.
Wilder Queries
Have a question? We can help. If the question seems of interest to our general audience, we will post both the question and answer here. One way or the other, you will get a response. To submit a query, please contact the Thornton Wilder Society.
- Exploring Quotations #1: “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
- Was the short play The Unerring Instinct ever published outside of a collection?
- Do you have the street address of Wilder’s home in Madison, Wisconsin?
- Which video or DVD version of Our Town do you recommend?
- In The Skin of Our Teeth, Wilder includes two quotations…
- Does The Bridge of San Luis Rey allude to a particular historical event?
- Wilder’s stagecraft in Our Town…
- Which Wilder biography would you recommend?
Research Grants
Yale Fellowships for Wilder Scholars – Applying for the Beinecke Research Grants
Applicants, who may not be degree candidates, are asked to submit a resume and a brief research proposal (not to exceed 3 pages) to:
The Director, Beinecke Library,
PO Box 208240, New Haven, CT 06520.
The proposal should emphasize the relationship of the Beinecke collections to the project and state the preferred dates of residence. The applicant should also arrange to have 2 confidential letters of recommendation sent to the Director.
Wilder’s Study in Hamden, CT