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Evelyn Conlon Papers
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Consists of handwritten and typed manuscripts of Evelyn Conlon. Also included are literary notebooks that contain rough drafts and other research material, as well as correspondence and her personal diaries. The manuscripts and notebooks cover material by Conlon as a poet, writer, and activist. Some are annotated or edited.
Features Conlon's short stories, anthologies, and novels. Other material relates to Conlon's social and political activism. Her personal diaries contain her travel logs, work and idea books, appointments, and contact details.
Among the correspondence are typed letters between Evelyn Conlon, Seamus Deane, and Seamus Heaney relating to issues over the publication of the Field Day Anthology of Irish Writers, which had omitted all but one female Irish writer. Conlon led a campaign to have this rectified and, working with Deane, Heaney and others, produced a new updated volume. Other correspondence relates to work with filmmaker Pat Murphy, and other collaborators, artists, and activists. There is material concerning a memorial to a bombing conducted by the XXX in Conlon's home town of Monaghan. She led a group who proposed and developed the memorial, and she edited an anthology of writing on the subject. Other material relates to Annaghmakerrig, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, and her work as writer-in-residence for Limerick County Council.
Languages represented include: English; Irish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Hebrew.
Materials remain in the physical order in Conlon's original order, which she arranged primarily by type/genre, and the material was loosely sorted. The processing archivist created the following intellectual groupings: Writings, Personal Papers, Activism.
Digital files are in the order and the folders in which they were received. They are organized into the following folders: Novels, Anthology, Short Stories, Drama, Speaking, Reviews, Website Material, PR Material, Readings, Essays and Articles Copy, Projects, Book Covers, Critical Appreciation, Library EC Lists, Research Resources, and Teaching.
Purchased from Kennys Bookshop in January 2023 (AM 2024-017).
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection contains digital files, which may require specific software or hardware for access. Refer to our Tips on Accessing Born-Digital Content for information on how to render these file formats.
This collection was processed by Lauren C. Williams in August-November 2024. Finding aid written by Lauren C. Williams in 2024, incorporating some description provided by the dealer.
The born-digital materials in this collection have been processed according to Princeton University Library's Born-Digital Processing Workflows. For more information on the workflow, please read our full Born-Digital Processing Information Note.
Magazines were removed from the collection upon acquisition.
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Lauren C. Williams
- Finding Aid Date
- 2024
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Collection Inventory
Consists of drafts of short stories, novels, plays, and other writings. Also includes media coverage and academic commentary on Conlon's writings, along with ephemera from conferences and workshops. Materials are in analog and digital formats.
Physical Description6 boxes
7 x A5 hardback notebooks, 6 x A4 hardback notebooks, 2 x wire spiral bound notebooks. All used as workbooks, manuscript drafts mostly for short stories, research, ideas for future writings and some loose notes. Some notebooks are specific to the writing of one short story or collection, others contain a mix of writings. Short Story Collections include My Head is Opening (1987); Taking Scarlet as a Real Colour (1993); telling (2000); Moving About the Place (2021).
Physical Description4 folders
42pp typed draft, emails, notes, copies of published article; 11pp manuscript notes; A4 hardback notebook, mostly manuscript draft of story on Violet Gibson(1876-1956), an Irish woman who attempted to assassinate Benito Mussolini in 1926, which appears in Moving About the Place (2021). Gibson was arrested however no charges were brought and soon after was returned to England, where she was incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital for the rest of her life.
Physical Description1 folder
For My Head is Opening (1987), Taking Scarlet as a Real Colour (1993), Telling (2000). Manuscripts and typescripts, some heavily edited, A Little Remote, also two for On The Inside of Cars, A Night Out, Taking Scarlet as a Real Colour (a reverse "Tidying UP play by Conlon); The Boy from Dingwall, Lad's Truth, Moving About the Place, The Meaning of Missing; The Birth Certificate; with several other drafts, most untitled. Also includes sample book covers.
Physical Description1 folder
Two folders with material relating to Moving About the Place (2021). Includes three (3) annotated typescript drafts, a galley proof and loose material. Also material relating to 2007 visit to Hiroshima, Japan, including letter from Japan branch of the International Association for the Study of Irish Literatures and associated short story and article published in The Irish Times, Nov 2007. With sample book cover.
Physical Description2 folders
Typed letters to authors from Conlon asking for submission to anthology. Also 1998 calendar Limerick City Council.
Physical Description1 folder
Two typescript drafts of edited anthology; correspondence from writers whose works are included; press cuttings.
Physical Description1 folder
Material relating to Committee for the Monaghan Bombing Memorial Committee, with anthology compiled and edited by Conlon, with correspondence, typescripts, colour photographs and newspaper clippings. Also includes typed drafts 'Remembering the Troubles', edited by Patrick Leech, postscript by Evelyn Conlon.
Physical Description1 folder
A4 notebook, with draft introduction; color photograph and contact sheets Evelyn Conlon with unnamed others, possibly unveiling of memorial, Monaghan Town 2004.
Physical Description1 folder
Several typed drafts, with some annotations.
Physical Description1 folder
Typed drafts of entries by other writers for inclusion in anthology. Includes typed list of residents, circa 1982-2005, with list of attendees, nationality, occupation and number of bed nights in The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig for the year 1998.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript 'A Girl in the photo', 12pp; 10"x8" notebook manuscript draft play.
Physical Description1 folder
Transcripts of interview conducted by Evelyn Conlon, with original cassette tape of recording. Andrée Sheehy-Skeffington, née Denis, (1910-1998), was French-born and married to Owen Lancelot Sheehy-Skeffington (1909–70), academic and senator, only child of Francis Skeffington, formerly registrar of UCD, writer, journalist, pacifist campaigner, shot by the British Army 1916, and his wife Hanna Sheehy.
Physical Description1 folder
Profile of Margaret Gaj, née Dunlop (1919-2011), treasurer of the Prisoner's Rights Organisation. Annotated typescript, 6pp; photocopy of biography of Margaret Gaj, 2pp; press cuttings and notes.
Physical Description1 folder
Italian poets Biancamaria Gaspara Stampa (1523-1554), Frabotta (1946-2022), and Patrizia Cavalli (1947-2022). Photocopies, annotated. Details of a poetry reading by Conlon in the Italian Culture Institute, Dublin, May 1986.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript and typescript draft of poem 'Hens', with poster. Also draft typed letter by Conlon to Wesley College, Dublin, explains the reasoning behind her writing the poem, undated.
Physical Description1 folder
Publisher's contract; poster; press cuttings on the book; manuscript notes; invoice from World Health Organisation, Denmark, for 250 copies of the book; Outline for proposed film on sex education, to be made with director Pat Murphy. Paper given by Conlon at the National Women's Conference, April 1984.
Physical Description1 folder
A4 notebook manuscript draft 'Agnes', with annotated typescript. Option and contract with Aeon Films, Dublin, for Evelyn Conlon to write script based on 'Agnes' and as script consultant for 'On the Run', also known as 'Fire in a Concrete Box'?, with other related material.
Physical Description1 folder
Typescript new play 'Tidying Up', annotated drafts 67pp each. Typed letter from the Arts Council of Ireland, Jan 1994, to Conlon awarding travel grant to carry out further study of the lives of Henri and Sophie Gaudier-Brzeska.
Physical Description1 folder
Annotated short stories, 7pp.
Physical Description1 folder
Steel ring-bound front-back galleys for the novel 'A Glassful of Letters' and short story collection 'Telling', annotated. With manuscript note in English and French on possible title in French.
Physical Description1 folder
Typescript of Departures and Arrivals, a working title for what becomes 'A Glassful of Letters.'
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript and typed notes, excerpts, research material.
Physical Description1 folder
A4 hardback notebook with excerpts and notes and some loose notes
Physical Description1 folder
Typesetters draft; a copy of Books Ireland, March 1998, No. 211, cover illustration used is cover from A Glassful of Letters, interview with Evelyn Conlon.
Physical Description1 folder
2 x A5 notebooks, loose notes, partial drafts, The Blackstaff Press new book lists for 1998
Physical Description1 folder
Six annotated drafts under working title 'Records on Globe Street.' Invitations to attend launch of 'A Glassful of Letters.'
Physical Description3 folders
2 annotated drafts and manuscript notes.
Physical Description1 folder
2 x A4 workbooks with manuscript notes.
Physical Description1 folder
5 x A4 manuscript notebooks with other loose notes, draft extracts. Also example of book cover and launch invitations.
Physical Description2 folders
3 x A5 notebooks; membership card Amnesty International, Irish Section and other related material; pocket full of color photographs (march in an unidentified US city) and interior of a prison; selection of business cards, mostly for people in Japan.
Physical Description1 folder
Research folder, with manuscript notebook.
Physical Description1 folder
Partial annotated typed draft pages. Also research folder, material on conferences for abolition of the death sentence.
Physical Description1 folder
Bound galley, with samples of book cover and promotional material.
Physical Description1 folder
2 x A4 ring bound workbooks.
Physical Description1 folder
A4 hardback workbook; Research material from Australia. 'Kilmallock Workhouse, The Story of an Institution' by Michael O'Donnell, ring bound, photocopy, 26pp. Studies, Winter 1968. Clann an Ghorta, 5 volumes 2000-2001; Tinteán, The Australian Irish Heritage Network, No. 12, June 2010, 2 copies, with essay by Evelyn Conlon.
Physical Description1 folder
Annotated draft for Records on Globe Street (2013), research material and draft for 'Aisling Talk' (25/-2/09); Books Ireland, September/October 2015, with essay by Evelyn Conlon.
Physical Description1 folder
Typed and manuscript drafts for various public talks, literary events, summer schools, and book launches. Also workbook with manuscript notes and drafts. Loose material.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes draft speech for launch of Constance Short exhibition. Some material is in the Irish language.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes radio essays for 'Sunday Miscellany', weekly Irish radio program, 2000s.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes two notebooks.
Physical Description1 folder
After Midnight Before Dawn; Between The Jigs and the Reels; The Union in Heaven; notebook and other loose material.
Physical Description1 folder
Partial typescript and manuscript notes, applications and related correspondence.
Physical Description1 folder
Media reviews, newspaper cuttings, original and photocopies. Also academic commentary on Evelyn's writing.
Physical Description2 folders
Festivals, conferences, and programs; Receptions and media coverage, with reviews, articles and commentary, Ireland and international. Includes posters, programs, and descriptions of events attended. Also general media coverage of events attended. Records of payments received for speeches, books, articles, etc. Some text in French, Hebrew, and German.
Physical Description2 folders
Festivals, conferences, and programs; Receptions and media coverage, with reviews, articles and commentary, Ireland and international. Includes posters, programs, and descriptions of events attended. Also general media coverage of events attended. Records of payments received for speeches, books, articles, etc. Some text in French, Hebrew, German.
Physical Description1 folder
The digital files relate to Conlon's literary career and include copies of her short stories, essays, articles, novels, and other writings. There are about 85 files that are duplicates, with a large overlap between the "Website Material" and "Critical Appreciation" folders.
Physical Description1164 digital files2.33 GB
Consists of correspondence related to Conlon's writing and her activism. Also includes personal diaries with manuscript drafts of poetry, travel plans, appointments, and contact details.
Physical Description1 box
11 (eleven) typed letters signed to Evelyn Conlon from various organizations. Includes letter from The Arts Council of Ireland informing her nomination to Aosdána was accepted by the membership and Dublin Public Libraries informing of her selection as writer-in-residence. Also letters informing her work will be published from The Irish Times, The Women's Press, The Irish Press, and Sceptre; a rejection and reader's report from Poolbeg Press; requests to join discussion panels; letter on Rape Crisis Centre; Dublin public libraries concerning baby buggies; copy of letter sent by Conlon to The Irish Press; Northeastern University on a class talk Conlon gave.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes letters from fellow writers, academics on Conlon's work; invitations to attend speaking engagements; provision of financial assistance to attend engagements; discussions on feminist and other political issues.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript and typed drafts or copies of letters written by Conlon to various addressees on topics such as her writing, feminist issues, academic engagements, travel, and friendship. Includes a letter to fellow writer Colm Tóibín concerning an article he wrote on marriage issues in Ireland, undated circa 1980s.
Physical Description1 folder
Typed, faxed letters from publishers including Abner Stein, David Higham Associates, Attic Press, The Women's Press, The Blackstaff Press, Brandon Book Publishers.
Physical Description1 folder
Series of letters written by Conlon to authorities including permission to visit G. McKeever, prisoner in an Irish jail; typed letter signed by Conlon to chairman of Aosdána to intervene in the case of a prisoner, Marie Murray, with typed letter signed from prison refusing Conlon visiting right; press release on Fr. Vincent Forde, prisoner in Portlaoise Prison, with typed letter signed by Bishop of Rochester, New York concerning same; two (2) manuscript letters addressed to Conlon from prisoner in Limerick Jail, in Irish.
Physical Description1 folder
12 cards and letters from Pat Murphy.
Physical Description1 folder
Field Day correspondence folder, specifically concerning the omission of women writers from the original Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing. Includes autograph letter signed and typed letter signed from Seamus Heaney, Seamus Deane, Tom Kilroy and Marie Heaney. Also manuscript and typed letters Evelyn Conlon to Heaney and Deane. Also with annotated outline for new edition of the Anthology. With newspaper cuttings.
Physical Description1 folder
Seven (7) cards and letters from Dennis O'Driscoll.
Physical Description1 folder
Selection of thank you cards received.
Physical Description1 folder
Selection of cards received concerning Conlon's book launches, other receptions and invitations to attend.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript drafts of poetry included; also speaking/writing commitments, travel plans, and itineraries; appointments; contact details.
Physical Description3 folders
Subtitle: "Draft thesis for a Master's degree in philosophy," by Susanne Haberfellner. Annotated draft of thesis sent to Conlon by student of University of Vienna, Austria. Title page partly in German, else text throughout in English. 155pp.
Physical Description1 folder
Materials relating to her work on women's issues including the Women's Liberation Movement, abortion, and motherhood.
Physical Description2 boxes
Annotated material includes administration and project outlines for several projects including women's studies, abortion, campaign against rape, sex discrimination act. of new songs from the Women's Liberation Movement, posters, press releases and other promotional material.
Physical Description2 folders
Reports and campaign material on abortion & contraception marches (Dublin), woman's aid group, Rape Crisis Centre (Dublin), Bosnian women refugees in Ireland, and literacy.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Five (5) typescripts on topics such as the Divorce Referendum, 'Us and our Mothers', feminism and motherhood, children's reading material. Manuscript on the abortion referendum and notes on the historical points of continuity and discontinuity in the women's movement in Ireland. Also a typescript marked confidential from the Commission on the Status of Women titled 'Culture, Recreation and Sport'. Notebook.
Physical Description1 folder
Women and Disarmament Workshop, Sexism in Irish Education, Women's studies at University College Dublin teaching material. Conlon was course organiser for an adult education program. Also manuscript and typed draft material for inclusion in the first report of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Manuscript titled Women's Studies Association.
Physical Description2 folders
Photocopy of typed 'round-robin' letter Evelyn Conlon to others, describing her journey home overland from Australia through the Far East and Eastern Europe
Physical Description1 folder