MenuGuide to the Bill Burk collection of letters and photographs from Sherwin Carlquist, 1997-2009
Abstract
"Bill" Burk, retired, botany librarian at the John N. Couch Biology Library, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Collection comprises 25 letters written to Burk by botanist Sherwin Carlquist. The majority of the letters are accompanied by examples of Carlquist's black-and-white 8"x10" landscape photographs, including seven photographic prints on enlarging paper, as well as scanned copies printed on a laser printer. There are also advertisements for Carlquist's books of landscape photographs featuring male nudes. The letters are most often general holiday greetings Carlquist mailed to all his friends, usually annotated with specific notes to Burk; others are personal letters to Burk. Carlquist's letters mainly provide information regarding the accompanying photographs and his artistic approach to photography, especially the male nudes; there is additional commentary on the history of botany; his writing, publication, and research projects; the work of other scientists; and his personal life. Other topics include gay fiction and culture, the challenges of being gay in academe, and circumcision. Books mentioned include: HAWAII, OUTSIDERS, COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY, TARWEEDS AND SILVERSWORDS, THE NATURAL MALE, MAN/NATURE, NATURAL MANSCAPES, MEN IN NATURE, UNCUT, and NATURAL OBJECTS.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Burk, William R.
- Title
- Bill Burk collection of letters and photographs from Sherwin Carlquist, 1997-2009
- Language of Materials
- English
- Extent
- 25 items (.2 lin. ft.)
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Collection comprises 25 letters written to Burk by botanist Sherwin Carlquist. The majority of the letters are accompanied by examples of Carlquist's black-and-white 8"x10" landscape photographs, including seven photographic prints on enlarging paper, as well as scanned copies printed on a laser printer. There are also advertisements for Carlquist's books of landscape photographs featuring male nudes. The letters are most often general holiday greetings Carlquist mailed to all his friends, usually annotated with specific notes to Burk; others are personal letters to Burk. Carlquist's letters mainly provide information regarding the accompanying photographs and his artistic approach to photography, especially the male nudes; there is additional commentary on the history of botany; his writing, publication, and research projects; the work of other scientists; and his personal life. Other topics include gay fiction and culture, the challenges of being gay in academe, and circumcision. Books mentioned include: HAWAII, OUTSIDERS, COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY, TARWEEDS AND SILVERSWORDS, THE NATURAL MALE, MAN/NATURE, NATURAL MANSCAPES, MEN IN NATURE, UNCUT, and NATURAL OBJECTS.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllHistorical Note
William R. "Bill" Burk was the former botany librarian at the John N. Couch Biology Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Subject Headings
- Botany--History.
- Botany--Study and teaching.
- Scientists--United States.
- Photographers--United States.
- Photography of men.
- Photography of the nude.
- Photography, Artistic.
- Outdoor photography.
- Landscape photography.
- Gay men--Fiction.
- Gay college teachers--United States.
- College teachers--United States.
- Circumcision.
- Burk, William R.
- Carlquist, Sherwin John, 1930-
- Black-and-white photographs.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Bill Burk collection of letters and photographs from Sherwin Carlquist, 1997-2009, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
Gift, 2010
Processing Information
Processed by: Alice Poffinberger, July 2010
Encoded by: Noah Huffman, July 2010
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2010-0008
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.