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Neda M. Westlake American Literary Manuscripts records, 1970-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet (2 boxes, 2 oversized folders)
Abstract:
Neda M. Westlake was named the librarian of the Rare Books Division of Van Pelt Library of the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. In addition to her library work, she worked extensively with the second revision of American Literary Manuscripts. This collection of documents consists of correspondence regarding American Literary Manuscripts, author lists indicating the authors present in the Penn collections, and inventory lists from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Van Wyck Brooks papers, 1872-1983 (inclusive) 1900-1963 (bulk)

Extent:
142 boxes
Abstract:
Collection contains 54 boxes of professional and family correspondence; 68 boxes of writings by Brooks, including typescripts, galleys, and notes for books, articles, prefaces, and addresses, as well as juvenalia, diaries, and notebooks; and 20 boxes of memorabilia, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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James T. Farrell papers, 1916-1983 (inclusive)

Extent:
800 linear feet
Abstract:
Born to a working class family in Chicago, James T. Farrell (1904-1979) rose quickly to be a leading figure for 20th century naturalism in American literature. An exceptionally prolific writer, Farrell published works spanning over five decades; however, his critics expressed that his output led to poor craftsmanship and editorial discretion throughout his later works. In addition to his professional works, Farrell produced a seemingly inexhaustible amount of correspondence, diaries, articles, and musings which covered a wide range of topics from politics to baseball. The currently available portion of this collection consists of over one hundred linear feet of personal and professional correspondence. Having kept many copies of his own drafts and letters as well, the correspondence provides a nearly complete view into Farrell's conversations with publishers, politicians, family, fans and critics. Perhaps most importantly, this collection represents Farrell's legacy — an...(see more)

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Theodore Dreiser papers, circa 1890-1965 (bulk dates 1897-1955) (inclusive) 1897-1955 (bulk)

Extent:
244 linear feet (503 boxes)
Abstract:
Contains 22 series, including correspondence (118 boxes); legal matters (7 boxes); writings (260 boxes), comprising books, essays, short stories, poems, plays, screenplays, radio scripts, addresses, lectures, interviews, introductions, and prefaces; journals edited by Dreiser (6 boxes); notes (9 boxes); diaries (5 boxes); biographical material (1 box); memorabilia (41 boxes), comprising scrapbooks, photographs (many of which are available online), art work, promotional material, postcards, and miscellanea; financial records (5 boxes); clippings (23 boxes); works by others (12 boxes); and oversize materials (2 boxes). Also includes materials regarding various family members: brother Paul Dresser (8 boxes of correspondence, sheet music and lyric sheets, clippings and memorabilia, and two plays written by Dresser); second wife Helen Dreiser (4 boxes of diaries and other writings); and niece Vera Dreiser (2 boxes of correspondence).

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Burton Rascoe papers, 1890-1957 (inclusive) 1920-1957 (bulk)

Extent:
20 linear feet (27 boxes)
Abstract:
Burton Rascoe (1892-1957) was an American literary critic, journalist, editor, and author working in the first half of the 20th century. His confrontational style stirred up much debate and helped generate interest in up-and-coming writers that Rascoe believed showed promise; most notably, Rascoe was an early champion of writers such as James Branch Cabell, Theodore Dreiser, and H. L. Mencken. The collection consists of his correspondence, including some with famous literary figures; writings by Rascoe in draft and published form; papers relating to a lawsuit with Max Annenberg; diaries and notebooks; photographs; and clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Harry Mathews papers, 1942-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
19 linear feet (48 boxes) and 6.7 gigabytes
Abstract:
Harry Mathews (1930-2017) is an experimental poet and prose writer. Mathews is well known for authoring several highly acclaimed novels; co-founding and co-editing the literary magazine, Locus Solus; and for his membership in the French avant-garde literary society, Olipo. The collection documents Mathews' professional life, and to a lesser extent, his personal life and includes drafts, typescripts, and corrected typescripts of Mathews' prose and poetry; publicity and promotion resulting from his literary work; research files probably used for writing his books; teaching and workshop records; writings by others; extensive correspondence which is restricted from use unless permission is granted by Mathews; and a small amount of audio visual material as well as several computer files.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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William Wister Haines papers, 1932-1967 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.33 linear feet (8 boxes)
Abstract:
William Wister Haines (1908-1989) was an American author, screenwriter, and playwright, most famous for his novels Slim and High Tension, which depicted working-class protagonists during the Great Depression, and Command Decision, a play and novel depicting the final stages of World War II. This collection includes material related to his literary work, especially in the form of drafts of novels, short stories, essays and articles, screenplays and television scripts, and plays.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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David L. Vanderwerken research collection on Chaim Potok, 1962-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.4 linear feet (3 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection includes material related to a planned critical biography of author Chaim Potok (1929-2002) by David L. Vanderwerken (1945-2015), an American literary scholar and professor of English literature. It contains correspondence regarding the proposal for the book; general research on the critical literature surrounding Potok's literary career, as well as his life and art; a Vanderwerken interview with Potok; and copies of Potok's novels and nonfiction works, with annotations by Vanderwerken.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Kermit Vanderbilt typescripts and page proofs of American Literature and the Academy: The Roots, Growth and Maturity of a Profession, 1986 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:
Kermit Vanderbilt (born 1925) was a professor of English and a widely published author. This collection includes the typescripts and page proofs for his book American Literature and the Academy, published in 1989.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Vladimir B. Grinioff papers on Tale of a Whistling Shrimp, 1956-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:
Vladimir B. Grinioff (1911-2001) was an economist for the Federal Reserve Board and the United States Department of State and an author. In 1957, Grinioff published Tale of a Whistling Shrimp which was later titled The Banker's Daughter. This collection contains cover art drafts, galley prints, original manuscripts, and revised manuscripts of Tale of a Whistling Shrimp.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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