Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 973

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet (1 box, 1 oversized folder)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Henry Miller papers, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1943-1952 (inclusive)

Creator:

Miller, Henry

Form:

Writings (documents), Paintings (visual works), Drawings (visual works), and Correspondence

Abstract:

Henry Miller (1891-1980) was an American author and artist best known for his controversial books such as Tropic of Cancer, Black Spring and Tropic of Capricorn. The collection consists of two drawings, one photograph, letters from Miller to Tambimuttu, and a small number of published writings and promotional material.

Henry Miller (1891-1980) was an American author and artist best known for his controversial books such as Tropic of Cancer, Black Spring and Tropic of Capricorn. Born in Manhattan, Miller spent his youth in Brooklyn, where in 1917 he married his first wife, whom he divorced in 1923. In 1928 Miller spent several months in Paris, where circumstances led to him living there until 1939. From there, he lived in Greece for a year before returning to New York in 1940. In 1942, he moved to California, where he spent the rest of his life. His most controversial books were banned for obscenity in the United States until 1961, when the Supreme Court ruled that the works were not pornographic in nature and were works of literature. Miller was a correspondent of the Sri Lankan poet, editor, critic and publisher Tambimuttu (1915-1983), who served as the publisher of Miller's The Cosmological Eye and Sunday After the War in London.

This collection consists of two drawings, one photograph, letters from Miller to Tambimuttu, one letter to Huntington Cairns, one letter to Judson Crews (copy sent to Tambimuttu,), one letter to Miller from Caresse Crosby (forwarded to Tambimuttu,) and a small number of published writings and promotional material. The letters were mainly written from Big Sur, California and discuss subjects ranging from art and photographs to other authors whom Miller recommends Tambimuttu to publish. The material in this collection is arranged in alphabetical order.