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Heil, Eugene Francis, 1925-1968

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1925 - 1968

Biographical History

Eugene Francis Heil (1925-1968) was a photographer in New York.

Gene Heil was born March 25, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. He began the study of the violin at eight, and became concertmeister of the St. Louis Philharmonic by sixteen. After high school, he served with the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific (New Guinea and the Philippines) during the Second World War. He was battalion photographer and was later encouraged to cultivate it as a medium in the fine arts.

After two years of military service, he attended the world-famed Parsons School of Design in New York City for three years; he also spent a term at the Parsons Atelier in Paris, which included an extensive tour of the arts of France and Italy. In 1950, he became a protégé of Lady Mendl at Versailles, and later, of Andre Ostier in Paris. He photographed members of the French government and aristocracy for French magazines. Gene photographed mainly fashion and architecture in Europe, Africa, North and South America.

Over the years, he was a photographer for the National Audubon Society, from 1946 to 1949, and for Ostier Associates, from 1949 to 1952; and a Public Relations Officer for the U.S. Army, from 1952 to 1954. He founded Gene Heil Studios (for General Commercial Photography and Interior Design) in 1954, and it remained open until his death.

Gene joined the Church in June 1963 and devoted his artistic talents to the Lord's service, as well as to Cole Porter's "Out of This World." As of May 1967, he was Assistant to the Director of the Research Project on World Music within the School of International Affairs of Columbia University. He was also employed with Aladdin Business Service (seasonal sales of resort brochures, postcards, photography, and commemorative Church books), from 1963 to 1968. He married Lillian Elinor Harmon June 10, 1967. He died in an automobile accident a year later.

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:

Eugene Heil biographical and legal records, 1925-1971

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 2
Scope and Contents

This series contatins certificates, planners, legal documents, wills, and other family papers for the Heil and Watts families. Materials dated 1925-1971.

Dates: 1925-1971

Eugene Heil business financial records, 1959-1968

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 3
Scope and Contents

This series includes accounts payable, debts, and expense records for the photography business of Eugene Heil. Materials dated 1959-1968.

Dates: 1959-1968

Eugene Heil correspondence, 1957-1969

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 4
Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence to Eugene Heil concerning social events such as the Dione Lucas Society, professional recommendations, his ski accident, and other life events. Materials dated 1957-1969.

Dates: 1957-1969

Eugene Heil films, 1948

 Series — Box 47: Series 14
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 14
Scope and Contents

This series contains three films by Eugene Heil. Materials dated 1948.

Dates: 1948

Eugene Heil memorabilia, 1944-1968

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 8
Scope and Contents

This series contains postcards, brochures, pins, autographs, and albums from the life of Eugene Heil. Topics include New York City, Salvador Dali, Singing Mothers, and SeaBees. Materials dated 1944-1968.

Dates: 1944-1968

Eugene Heil negatives, 1946-1968

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 13
Scope and Contents

This series contains negatives of images, taken by Eugene Heil, and are in numerical order. Materials are dated 1954-1968.

Dates: 1946-1968

Eugene Heil photographs of military service, 1943-1954

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 10
Scope and Contents

This series contains images from the military service of Eugene Heil while he was serving in the SeaBees. Materials are dated 1943-1954.

Dates: 1943-1954

Eugene Heil photographs of personal life, 1925-1968

 Series
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 9
Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs of the life, work, and travels of Eugene Heil. Materials dated 1925-1968.

Dates: 1925-1968

Eugene Heil photographs of travel, 1947-1968

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 11
Scope and Contents

This series contains images from the domestic and foreign travels of Eugene Heil. Locations include France, Phillipines, Spain, New York, Florida, and Bermuda. Materials are dated 1947-1968

Dates: 1947-1968

Eugene Heil photographs of work, 1950-1968

 Series
Identifier: MSS 6140 Series 12
Scope and Contents

This series contains professional photographic works of Eugene Heil which includes topics such as buildings, fashion, artists, and advertising. materials are dated 1950-1968.

Dates: 1950-1968

Filtered By

  • Subject: Photography, Artistic -- History -- Sources X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 14
Collection 1
 
Subject
Negatives 7
Photographs 6
Slides (Photography) 5
Transparencies 4
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 3