Rodgers, Dorothy, 1909-1992

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Dorothy Rodgers (née Feiner; 1906 – 1993) was an American author, inventor, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She was married to the Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, of the famous duo Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Born in New York City to a Jewish family, Rodgers attended the Horace Mann School and Wellesley College in the late 1920s, where she studied art and interior design. She married Richard Rodgers in 1930.

She started her own business, Repairs Inc. in 1935 before she invented the Jonny Mop in 1945. Rodgers was also the creator of the Basically Yours dress pattern and the Ideal Toy Company's Turn and Learn storybooks.

She is the author of several books focusing on interior design and entertaining at home such as 1967's The Home in My Head. In 1970, Rodgers also co-wrote a self-help book with her daughter Mary Rodgers Guettel about mother-daughter relationships and housekeeping called

A Word to the Wives. This spawned a related radio show and a regular magazine column for McCall's Magazine, "Of Two Minds."

Rodgers was also known as an activist, writing letters against antisemitism. She likewise was a noted philanthropist who supported several Jewish cultural organizations.

Rodgers died in her Manhattan home at the age of 83 in August 1992. She was survived by her two daughters, Mary and Linda.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Aaron W. Berg Papers, 1848-1977. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Rodgers, Mary. Reminiscences of Mary Rodgers : oral history, 1982. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Papers of Dorothy Rodgers, 1922-1987 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Altman, Leonard, 1920-1996. Leonard Altman papers, 1930-1995. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn New York Times Company records. A.M. Rosenthal papers, 1955-1994, 1967-1986 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Additional papers, 1921-1992 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Rome, Harold, 1908-1993. The Harold Rome papers, 1873-1988 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Leonard Altman Papers, 1930-1995 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Additional papers, 1921-1992 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. Richard Rodgers papers, 1914-1989. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Davall, Irene. Papers of Irene Davall, 1971-1987. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Vera Zorina papers Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Jo Mielziner papers, 1903-1976 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Richard Rodgers papers, 1914-1989 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Rodgers, Dorothy F., 1909-. Transcript of oral history, 1987. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn [Interviews with Dorothy Rodgers] [videorecording] / [various stations]. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Robert E. Sherwood papers, 1917-1968 (inclusive), 1934-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn The Harold Rome Papers, 1873-1988 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
referencedIn John Mason Brown papers, 1922-1967. Houghton Library
referencedIn Rome, Harold, 1908-1993. The Harold Rome papers, 1873-1988 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
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associatedWith De Vries, Peter, 1910- person
associatedWith Dorothy (Feiner) Rodgers, 1909- person
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associatedWith Mayes, Herbert R. (Herbert Raymond), 1900-1987. person
associatedWith McIntosh, Millicent person
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associatedWith Melnick, Peter Rodgers person
associatedWith Melnick, Peter Rodgers. person
associatedWith Menschel, Ronay person
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associatedWith Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
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associatedWith Mielziner, Jo, 1901-1976 person
associatedWith Moynihan, Daniel P. (Daniel Patrick), 1927- person
associatedWith Moynihan, Daniel P. (Daniel Patrick), 1927- person
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associatedWith Rockefeller, Nelson A. (Nelson Aldrich), 1908-1979 person
associatedWith Rockefeller, Nelson A. (Nelson Aldrich), 1908-1979. person
associatedWith Rodgers, Mary person
associatedWith Rodgers, Mary. person
associatedWith Rodgers, Mary, 1931- person
associatedWith Rodgers, Richard, 1902- person
associatedWith Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. person
associatedWith Rome, Harold, 1908-1993 person
associatedWith Rosenbaum, Joan Hannah, 1942- person
associatedWith Rosenbaum, Joan Hannah, 1942- person
associatedWith Rosenthal, A. M. (Abraham Michael), 1922-2006 person
associatedWith Rubin, William person
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associatedWith Saarinen, Aline Bernstein, 1914- person
correspondedWith Sherwood, Robert E. (Robert Emmet), 1896-1955 person
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associatedWith Smith, Oliver, 1918- person
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associatedWith Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1930- person
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associatedWith Sulzberger, Arthur Hays, 1891-1968. person
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associatedWith Sulzberger, Iphigene Ochs. person
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associatedWith Windsor, Wallis Warfield, Duchess of, 1896-1986. person
associatedWith Wollman Memorial Skating Rink (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
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associatedWith Wortman, Doris Nash person
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correspondedWith Zorina, Vera. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Manhattan NY US
Subject
Women authors, American
Antisemitism
Arts
Businesswomen
Contracts
Friendship
Governor
Interior decorating
Inventions
Jewish women
Jews
Mayor
Patents
Occupation
Authors
Inventors
Activity

Person

Birth 1909-05-04

Death 1992-08-17

Female

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 85692699