MenuInventory of the Wallace Fowlie Papers, 1939-1996 and undated
Abstract
Writer, critic, translator, and faculty member at Duke University specializing in modern French literature.
The Wallace Fowlie Papers span the years 1936 to 1996 and consist mainly of correspondence sent to Fowlie, but also publications on French literature authored by Fowlie, typescript and handwritten drafts by Fowlie, amd clippings pertaining to Fowlie's career. A significant portion of the correspondence comprises exchanges between Fowlie and Thomas and Kit Foster. These letters mainly address personal and family matters (health issues, vacations and meeting with mutual friends), but also cover projects Fowlie was working on, teaching positions accepted and rejected and class progress, and other matters of professional relevance. Other smaller amounts of correspondence come from Robert Heslen, a former student of Fowlie, and well-known writers/artists including René Char, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, Alexis Léger (Saint-Jean Perse), Marianne Moore, Anaïs Nin, and others, discussing literary matters and their writings and careers. A folder of general correspondence contains single letters from a variety of colleagues and friends.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Fowlie, Wallace, 1908-1998
- Title
- Wallace Fowlie Papers, 1939-1996 and undated
- Language of Material
- English, French
- Extent
- .8 Linear Feet, 300 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The Wallace Fowlie Papers span the years 1936 to 1996 and consist mainly of correspondence sent to Fowlie, but also publications authored by Fowlie, typescript and handwritten drafts by Fowlie, newspaper and newsletter article clippings pertaining to Fowlie, and other assorted printed material. A significant portion of the correspondence comprises exchanges with Fowlie and Thomas and Kit Foster, close friends of Fowlie. These letters mainly address personal and family matters (health issues, vacations and meetings with mutual friends), but also cover projects Fowlie was working on, teaching positions accepted and rejected, and class progress, and other matters of professional relevance. Other smaller amounts of correspondence, much of which is in French, come from Robert Heslen, a former student of Fowlie, and well-known writers, artists, and poets including René Char, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, Alexis Léger (Saint-Jean Perse), Marianne Moore, Anaïs Nin, and others, discussing French literature, their writings and careers, and Fowlie's writings. A folder of general correspondence contains single letters from a variety of colleagues and friends.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, 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
Collapse All
Expand AllCorrespondence, 1939-1996 and undated
Chiefly consists of exchanges between Wallace Fowlie and well-known writers and friends. With the exception of the Foster and Heslen correspondence, which contains letters from Fowlie, the bulk of the items are from correspondents writing to Fowlie. Substantial groups of correpondence from individuals have been foldered separately. Smaller amounts of one to four letters are housed in General Correspondence; correspondents include Alain Bosquet, Kenneth Burke, René Char, Edouard Dermit (the adopted son of Jean Cocteau), André Gide, Marianne Moore, Jean Renard, and others. Arranged in chronological order within folders, with the exception of General Correspondence, which is alphabetical by last name.
Printed Material Series, 1953-1979 and undated
Contains various printed materials, including clippings, a publisher's catalog, writers' conference program, newsletter, project description, and a bibliography that was associated with correspondence to and from Thomas and Kit Foster. The clippings consist of newspaper and newsletter articles about Fowlie, some in interview format, that address his past and contemporary perspectives on literature and academia.
Writings, 1949-1977 and undated
Consists of a small assortment of drafts and published versions of literary and biographical writings of Wallace Fowlie.
Consists of two spiral-bound notebooks containing Fowlie's hand-written drafts of literary essays.
Historical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1908, Nov. 8 | Wallace Fowlie born in Brookline, Massachussetts |
| 1936 | Received Doctorate from Harvard University |
| 1943 | Publication of Clowns and Angels: Studies in French Literature |
| 1946 | Rimbaud, the Myth of Childhood published |
| 1951 | Pantomime: A Journal of Rehearsals published |
| 1953 | Publication of Rimbaud's Illuminations |
| 1964 | Fowlie appointed to faculty at Duke University |
| 1965 | Publication of André Gide: His Life and Art |
| 1966 | Publication of Rimbaud (Complete Works) and Jean Cocteau: The History of a Poet's Age |
| 1951 | Duke Press published A Journal of Rehearsals, a revision and updating of the earlier 1951 autobiography, Pantomime: A Journal of Rehearsals |
| 1983 | Aubade: A Teacher's Notebook published |
| 1984-1985 | Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar at nine universities and colleges |
| 1987 | Sites: A Third Memoir published |
| 1990 | Memory: A Fourth Memoir published |
| 1990 | Worked as consultant on Oliver Stone's film The Doors |
| 1994 | Publication of Rimbaud and Jim Morrison: The Rebel as Poet |
| 1998, August 16 | Died in Durham, North Carolina |
Subject Headings
- Fowlie, Wallace, 1980-1998.
- Char, René, 1907-1988.
- Cocteau, Jean, 1889-1963.
- Foster, Thomas.
- Gide, André, 1869-1951.
- Moore, Marianne, 1887-1972.
- Nin, Anaïs, 1903-1977.
- Authors, American--20th century.
- College teachers--United States.
- French language--20th century.
- French literature.
- French poetry.
- Clippings.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Wallace Fowlie Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Provenance
The Wallace Fowlie Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift from 1981-2007.
Processing Information
Processed by Aaron Thornburg, September 2008
Encoded by Aaron Thornburg, September 2008
Accessions from 1981 and 1982, and accessions 1999-0477 and 2007-0045 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.