Inventory of the Fred Chappell Papers, 1944-2010 and undated
Collection Overview
The fully processed portion of the Fred Chappell Papers spans the dates 1960-1997, with the bulk being dated after 1970. There are several additions covering the years 1998 through 2003. The collection consists of correspondence; writings by Chappell and other authors; printed material (primarily serials containing stories, poems, and articles by Chappell but also clippings); legal and financial papers; speeches and addresses; interviews; and other material. Documents relate to Chappell's personal life and career, both as a student and writer at Duke University, where he studied under well-known creative writing teacher William Blackburn, and as a writer and professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G). The collection documents the entire length and breadth of Chappell's multifaceted career, beginning with the years just after he completed his undergraduate studies at Duke and started his first novel at the urging of Hiram Haydn, an editor to whom Blackburn had introduced him. Letters, manuscripts, and notebooks provide insight into Chappell's developing literary career, his academic activities at UNC-G, and his growing involvement with a large network of writers, including a number of his former students. Many prominent American authors, especially Southern ones, are represented in the collection. Among the most frequent correspondents are Kelly Cherry, Grace DiSanto, George Garrett, Marianne Gingher, Dana Gioia, Donald Hall, Heather Ross Miller, Robert Morgan, Eve Shelnutt, and Dabney Stuart. Notebooks, manuscripts, typescripts, proofs, and printed material document the development of Chappell's career across all the genres in which he writes. Supporting material in non-print media, including photographs and audio and video cassettes of readings, document public aspects of his career.
The Correspondence Series, arranged chronologically in Incoming and Outgoing subseries, discloses the range of Chappell's interests and activities in the literary community. The letters not only provide a portrait of his development as a poet and novelist but also demonstrate his active roles in supporting the careers of other writers and promoting the literary community. These latter activities are documented by his numerous affirmative responses to a broad range of requests to read drafts of works-in-progress, write recommendations for other writers for grants and awards, write reviews and provide blurbs for new publications, serve as the judge of contests, speak at conferences and workshops, and serve in various advisory and editorial capacities for literary journals. The correspondence also provides much information about his teaching career and his legacy of students who develop successful careers of their own, such as Cherry, Miller, Morgan, and Shelnutt. The bulk of the outgoing correspondence dates to 1990 or after, when, at the request of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Chappell began retaining copies of all outgoing correspondence.
The Writings by Chappell Series is divided into subseries by genres with the exception of one subseries based on format, the Notebooks Subseries. Since Chappell writes with relatively few hand corrections on any particular stage of his work, the development of an individual work is often apparent only by comparing various complete drafts in manuscripts, typescripts, and proofs. The notebooks are particularly valuable in this regard, providing what often appear to be the earliest versions of works. The notebooks also indicate the facility with which Chappell moves from one genre to another, as most of them are not devoted to a single work or genre but rather include poems, stories, novel fragments, essays, reviews, translations, and drafts of correspondence following one after the other. This versatility is further reflected by the Printed Materials Series, which contains extensive serials with Chappell's publications in multiple genres, especially fiction, poetry, and reviews. At the end of this series, the Clippings Subseries documents his public and critical reception with copies of reviews and essays about his work and publicity about it.
The Miscellaneous Series contains a variety of flyers, leaflets, newsletters, and examples of fan mail that further demonstrate his literary career. Prominent here are such items as the proofs for a 1990 symposium about his poetry and newsletters of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. It also contains two small subseries of audio and video cassettes of readings, interviews, and work by other authors.
The Writings by Others Series contains manuscripts from well-known contemporary writers, ex-students, and aspiring writers seeking advice. Chappell's reactions to the manuscripts are written on many of them, often as the first draft of a letter or requested recommendation. Most writers are represented by only one or two items, but Cherry and Shelnutt are both represented by more than a dozen pieces that, together with their frequent correspondence, outline the development of their respective careers.
The bulk of the 1993 addition (accession #93-102) (1000 items, 3.0 linear feet, dated 1992-1993) has been incorporated into the fully processed portion of the collection. The remaining two boxes consist primarily of incoming correspondence. A small portion of this includes enclosures and attachments, some of which are writings by other authors.
The bulk of the 1998 addition (accession #1998-0299) (1694 items, 14 linear feet, dated 1989-1998, bulk 1997-1998) comprises correspondence received by Chappell. It also includes several folders of outgoing correspondence, drafts and published versions of works by Chappell and others, nineteen books, awards, miscellaneous printed materials, and one audio cassette and video cassette.
The 1999 addition (accession #1999-0272) (7200 items, 12 linear feet, dated ca. 1978-1999) comprises correspondence, drafts and published versions of works by Chappell and others, photographs, clippings, awards, one video tape, and other items.
The 2000 addition (accession #2000-0272) (5425 items, 13.7 linear feet, dated 1989-2000) comprises correspondence received by Chappell; drafts and published versions of works by Chappell and others; reviews; items relating to his teaching; thirty-three books and periodicals; and other related materials further documenting his work as a poet, novelist and teacher. The addition includes two compact disks and four videocassettes.
The 2001 addition (accession #2001-0145) (4344 items, 7.7 linear feet, dated 2000-2001 and undated) comprises correspondence received, drafts and published versions of works by Chappell and others, reviews, audio and video tapes, approximately fifty books and periodicals, and other related materials documenting his work as a poet, novelist and teacher.
The 2002 addition (accession #2002-0171) (4895 items, 8.9 linear feet, dated 1944-2002 and undated, bulk 1995-2002) consists primarily of incoming correspondence. It also includes Chappell's outgoing correspondence; drafts of his writing; newspaper and journal articles and reviews by and about Chappell; his Duke University diplomas (1961; 1964); the North Carolina Award in Literature (1980); thirteen black-and-white and three color photographs; seven audio cassettes; one audio CD; and one Betamax and three VHS videocassettes. The audio and videocassettes include recordings of Chappell with George Garrett, as well as of Chappell reading.
The 2003 addition (accession #2003-0089) consists mainly of Chappell's personal and professional correspondence, 2002-2003. Also includes handwritten journals (including poetry journals) and drafts of articles and lectures; clippings and printed material; manuscripts; and framed awards.
The 2004 addition (accession #2004-0127) consists mainly of Chappell's personal and professional correspondence (2003-2004). Also includes notebooks and loose papers containing drafts of poems and other writings by Chappell; clippings and other printed materials; and writings by other authors.
The 2006 additions (accession #2006-0024 and 2006-0071) comprises primarily correspondence, as well as notes, clippings, manuscripts for review, Chappell's draft poems, books, serial issues, and miscellaneous items and ephemera. See below for details.
The 2007 addition (accession #2007-121) (4875 items, 8.8 lin. ft.; dated 2000-2007) contains correspondence, drafts, books, and serials. The majority of the correspondence consists of review copies of books and drafts by other authors and requests for blurbs or reviews by Chappell.
The 2008 addition (accession #2008-321) (1 item; .2 lin. ft.; dated about 1990) consists of Chappell's annotated proof copy of the SELECTED POEMS OF WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS.
The 2009 addition (accession #2009-0144) (3600 items; 4.8 lin. ft.; dated 2005-2009) includes correspondence, writings, manuscripts by other authors, and some printed materials. Also includes some electronic media (floppy disks of Chappell drafts).
The 2010 addition (accession #2010-0106) (4000 items; 5.4 lin. ft.; dated 2006-2010 and no date) includes correspondence, writings by other authors, and essays, prose, poetry, and other drafts by Chappell. Also includes some electronic media (some CDs sent to Chappell by fellow authors).
The 2010 addition (accession #2010-0223) (2625 items; 3.5 lin. ft.; dated 2006-2010 and no date) includes incoming and outgoing correspondence, writings by other authors, clippings, and prose and poetry drafts by Chappell. Highlights include correspondence regarding the Caldwell medal, awarded to Chappell by the North Carolina Humanities Council in 2010.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Fred Chappell Papers, 1944-2010 and undated
- Creator
- Chappell, Fred, 1936-
- Extent
- 141.4 Linear Feet, 102,625 Items
- Repository
- Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Series Quick Links
- Correspondence Series, 1960-1997 and undated
- Legal and Financial Papers Series, 1962-1997 and undated
- Writings by Chappell Series, 1960-1997 and undated
- Printed Material Series, 1955-1997 and undated
- Miscellaneous Series, ca. 1960-1997 and undated
- Writings by Others Series, 1966-1997 and undated
- Oversize Material, 1963-1997 and undated
- Accession (1993-0102)
- Accession (1998-0299)
- Accession 1999-0202
- Accession (2000-0272)
- Accession (2001-0145)
- Accession (2002-0171)
- Accession (2003-0089)
- Accession (2004-0127)
- Accession (2006-0024)
- Accession (2006-0071)
- Accession (2007-0121)
- Accession (2008-0096)
- Accession (2008-0321)
- Accession (2009-0144)
- Accession (2010-0106)
- Accession (2010-0223)
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.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights 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 Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Arranged in Incoming Correspondence and Outgoing Correspondence subseries.
Includes letters from friends, family members, writers, teachers, students, editors, publishers, and readers of Chappell's works. Letters are arranged chronologically with undated letters at the end. Some letters include short writings as attachments. Longer writings such as drafts of entire books, complete issues of serials, and so on appear in the Writings by Others Series. Chappell frequently uses the backs of letters, envelopes, or attachments to write drafts of various material: responses to the letter at hand, poems, story fragments, translations, and autobiographical statements. A chronological list of these items appears following the box list for this subseries.
A former student of Chappell's, DiSanto carried on a voluminous correspondence with Chappell, especially in the late 1970s, frequently attaching many pages of new poems to the letters. The decision to organize her works in a separate subseries was based on the volume of her letters and writings.
Includes letters to friends, family members, writers, teachers, students, editors, publishers, and readers of Chappell's works. Letters are arranged chronologically with undated letters at the end. The bulk of this series dates after 1990 when, at the Library's request, Chappell began retaining copies of all his outgoing correspondence. Drafts of outgoing correspondence also appear in the Writings by Chappell Series, Notebooks Subseries.
Arranged in chronological order. Includes royalty statements, tax information, contracts, etc.
Divided into the following genre subseries: Fiction, Poetry, Essays, Reviews, Speeches and Addresses, and Miscellaneous. Additionally, one subseries based on format, Notebooks, should be consulted to ensure seeing all versions of an item in any genre. Each subseries is alphabetized by title, with multiple drafts of individual works arranged, to the extent it can be determined, in order of composition. With all of Chappell's writings it should be noted that he seldom dates his work, so often the only clues to the date of composition are the date of publication and the date the Library received a particular accession. This latter is noted in brackets on many items as [Rec'd date]. The date in boldface after the titles of books is the original publication date.
Arranged alphabetically by title, books first followed by individual stories. Versions of collected stories may appear under their own title or that of the collection. Individual stories are grouped with the collection if the Library received them that way or if page renumbering clearly indicates that a manuscript was part of a larger organization. Additional versions may appear in the Notebooks Subseries.
Brighten the Corner Where You Are (1989)
Dagon (1968) See also Oversize Material
Farewell, I'm Bound to Leave You (1996)
Farewell, I'm Bound to Leave You (1996)
The Fred Chappell Reader (1990)
The Gaudy Place (1973) See also Oversize Material
I Am One of You Forever (1985)
The Inkling (1965) See also Oversize Material
It Is Time, Lord (1963)
More Shapes Than One (1991)
The Thousand Ways (unpublished, ca. 1960-1969)
Untitled Novel (unpublished, ca. 1960-1969)
Arranged alphabetically by title, books first followed by individual poems. Versions of collected poems may appear under their own title or that of the collection. Additional versions may appear in the Notebooks Subseries.
Bloodfire (1978)
C (1993)
Castle Tzingal (1984)
Earthsleep (1980) See also Oversize Material
Family Gathering (1996)
First and Last Words (1989)
Hour of My Lives (unpublished)
River (1975)
Source (1985)
Untitled Collection
Includes essays, longer reviews, introductions, and forewords. Arranged alphabetically by title, books first, followed by individual essays. Versions of collected essays may appear under their own title or that of the collection. Additional versions may appear in the Notebooks Subseries.
Arranged alphabetically by title reviewed. Certain longer reviews appear in the Essays Subseries as well as in the collection listed there, Plow Naked. Versions may also appear in the Notebooks Subseries.
Arranged chronologically to the extent possible; since most of Chappell's work is undated, the sequence is necessarily arbitrary at many points. Sometimes drafts of correspondence in the notebooks provide clues to the general time span of the notebook. For bibliographic reference purposes, each notebook is numbered in brackets in the top right of the first page (not the cover). If the date the Library received the notebook is known, that is also recorded here.
Miscellaneous writings arranged alphabetically by category, then alphabetically by title within categories unless otherwise noted. Includes genres in which Chappell has written only a few works, such as plays; speeches and addresses; an autobiography; and various notes and fragments.
Consists primarily of serials containing writings by Chappell, arranged in the following genre subseries: Fiction, Poetry, Essays, Reviews, Speeches and Addresses, and Miscellaneous.
Serials containing stories and novel excerpts by Chappell, arranged chronologically.
Serials containing poems by Chappell, arranged chronologically.
Serials containing essays by Chappell, arranged chronologically.
Serials containing reviews by Chappell, arranged chronologically.
Serials containing miscellaneous writings by Chappell such as introductions and forewords, translations, interviews with him, and reviews of his works. Serials with which he has some affiliation such as serving on editorial or advisory boards or serving as a contest judge are also included here. Arranged in chronological order. Publishers' and dealers' catalogs with announcements about his works are at the end of the subseries.
Clippings about Chappell and his work, tearsheets of his publications--mainly reviews--in newspapers and journals, etc. Clippings about the author are arranged chronologically at the beginning and works by him are arranged by genre at the end of the series.
Various material about Chappell's personal and professional life, including: bibliographies; publicity material about or from organizations of which he is an officer or member; genealogical research; samples of fan mail; and audiovisual materials containing readings by and interviews with Chappell as well as materials sent to him by other writers. Organized in three subseries: Personal and Professional Papers, Audio Materials, and Video Materials. For clippings about Chappell's works, see Printed Materials Series, Clippings Subseries.
Arranged chronologically.
Audio cassettes of readings and other public appearances by Chappell, his writings as presented by other authors, and miscellaneous recordings of other authors. Arranged chronologically within three sub-subseries: Writings by Chappell, Miscellaneous, and Writings by Others. There are four copies of each item: the original, the master, the submaster, and the use copy. Only the use copy is available to researchers.
Audio cassettes of readings by Chappell. Arranged chronologically. See Audiovisual Subseries note for usage details.
Original copy can by used.
Audio cassettes of interviews, conferences, and other events about Chappell. Arranged chronologically. See Audio Materials Subseries note for usage details.
Audio cassettes of writings by other authors. Arranged chronologically. See Audio Materials Subseries note for usage details.
Original copy; use copy will be made on request.
Original copy; use copy will be made on request.
Video cassettes of readings and other public appearances by Chappell, his writings as presented by other authors, and miscellaneous recordings of other authors. Arranged chronologically within two sub-subseries: Miscellaneous and Writings by Others. Use copies will be made on request; consult with Research Services.
Video cassettes of interviews, conferences, and other events about Chappell. Arranged chronologically. Use copies made on request.
Video cassettes of writings by other authors. Arranged chronologically. See Video Materials Subseries note for usage details.
Arranged alphabetically by author. Contains manuscripts, typescripts, proofs, and printed material sent by other authors to Chappell. The writers include colleagues, current and former students, editors and writers sending the work of a third person(s), and fans. In general, writings sent as attachments to letters appear in the Correspondence Series, Incoming Correspondence Subseries; the writings that appear here are items sent separately, with only brief notes, or items such as complete drafts of books that were too large to be foldered as an attachment to correspondence.