American Literary Materials: Annotated Author List

[Note: Many of these writers are also represented in manuscript collections other than their own. Consult a reference archivist for help in locating these other collections.]

Acker, Kathy, 1948-1997

The principal body of papers of Kathy Acker, the San Francisco cyberpunk/postmodern author and performance artist. The collection contains about 225 items and consists primarily of manuscript drafts of her novels, short stories, and other miscellaneous writings. The library also holds a complete collection of Acker�s published works. For more information, see the finding aid for the Kathy Acker papers.

Applewhite, James

The principal body of papers of James Applewhite, award-winning poet, Duke alumnus, and professor of English at Duke. There are more than 5,000 items in the collection, which primarily consists of drafts and proofs of poems, along with notes, correspondence, clippings, and printed materials. The library also contains a complete collection of Applewhite�s published works.

Bausch, Richard, 1945-

The principal collection of papers of Richard Bausch, author of numerous novels and short stories and creative writing teacher at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The collection contains more than 1,600 items and includes drafts and proofs of Bausch�s published works, drafts of unpublished works, correspondence, and other materials. The library also holds a complete collection of Bausch�s published works. For more information see the finding aid for the Richard Bausch papers.

Bausch, Robert, 1945-

The principal collection of papers of Robert Bausch, author of several novels and a collection of short stories. The collection contains more than 3,400 items and documents Bausch�s professional and creative life as a writer and teacher. Materials include handwritten, typed, and electronic computer files containing drafts of his published and unpublished novels and essays. The library also holds a complete collection of Bausch�s published works. For more information see the finding aid for the Robert Bausch papers.

Bingham, Sallie

The principal collection of papers of Sallie Bingham, author and philanthropist, containing over 43,000 items that provide rich documentation of her personal life, literary development, and philanthropic activities. The library also holds a complete collection of Bingham�s published works. For more information, see the Bingham finding aid.

Blackburn, William, 1899-1972

Blackburn, who was a member of the Duke University faculty from 1926 to 1969, taught creative writing to several students who later became successful writers. The Blackburn Papers contain more than 6,500 items and consist primarily of family correspondence and papers as well as correspondence from former students, including James Applewhite, Fred Chappell, Mac Hyman, Reynolds Price, William Styron, and Anne Tyler. Other correspondents include Dylan Thomas, Lionel Trilling, and Eudora Welty.

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

The Library holds more than eighty published works by Bryant. Included are multiple and early editions of his poetry as well as early editions of his translations into English of the Iliad and Odyssey by Homer. There are also several early editions of Thanatopsis. A small Bryant manuscript collection contains several letters by Bryant, largely concerning literary matters. There are a number of Bryant letters in several of the library�s other manuscript collections, including those of Paul H. Hayne, C. C. Jones, and Johannes A. S. Oertel.

Chappell, Fred, 1936-

The principal collection of papers of Chappell, Duke alumnus, poet laureate of North Carolina, and author of many books of poetry and fiction. The collection contains more than 4,600 items, including correspondence, audio-visual material, and some of drafts of Chappell�s works. The library also has a complete collection of Chappell�s published works in various editions and languages, numbering about a 100. For more information see the finding aid for the Fred Chappell papers.

Chivers, T. H. (Thomas Holley), 1809-1858

A major manuscript collection of Chivers, Georgia poet, containing over 600 items and including correspondence, literary manuscripts, and clippings of poems and reviews.

Cooke, John Esten, 1783-1853

The major manuscript collection of Cooke, a Virginia novelist, with about 300 items, including professional and personal correspondence and literary notes of John Esten Cooke and of his brother, Philip Cooke. In addition, there are more than 15 Cooke letters in the library�s other collections, including the William R. Whittingham, Alexander R. Boteler, Paul H. Hayne, Frederick Holliday, Edmund C. Stedman, and Bedinger-Dandridge Family Papers.

Dupuy, Eliza A., 1814-1881

Over fifty items of novelist Dupuy, from Flemingsburg, Kentucky, primarily consisting of correspondence with Robert Bonner, editor of the New York Ledger, about Dupuy�s stories.

Garrett, George P., 1929-

The principal collection of papers of Garrett, novelist, poet, editor, poet laureate of Virginia, and English professor at the University of Virginia. The collection contains about 165,000 items and documents Garrett's literary career as an author of novels, short stories, poetry, and dramatic works (including film scripts). The collection also documents the tremendous influence he had as a teacher and editor on an entire generation of writers, particularly in the South. The library also holds a complete collection of Garrett�s published works. For more information, see the finding aid for the George Garrett papers.

Grimsley, Jim, 1955-

The principal collection of papers of Grimsley, a novelist from Rocky Mount, N.C. The collection contains about 2,500 items and includes Grimsley�s personal journals, 1973-1993; personal and professional correspondence, 1970s-1996; handwritten notebooks containing the creative beginnings of his novels and plays; drafts of his writings, 1970s-1997; and publicity, reviews, and publications by or about him in periodicals. The library also holds a complete collection of Grimsley�s published works. For more information, see the finding aid.

Hayne, Paul Hamilton, 1830-1886

One of the two principal bodies of Hayne�s papers, as well as 1,500 items from his personal library. Hayne was a celebrated poet of the Confederate cause and editor of Russell�s Magazine, published in Charleston, S.C. A description of the items the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library has from Hayne�s personal library has been described in the work Check list of the Paul Hamilton Hayne Library. For more information, see the finding aid.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

Over thirty letters by Holmes in manuscript collections, including the Paul H. Hayne, C. C. Jones, Thomas Nelson Page, Augustin Louis Taveau, and Bedinger-Dandridge Family Papers, and early editions of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-table and other works by Holmes.

Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920

Over 100 early editions of works by Howells, including The Coast of Bohemia, Criticism and Fiction, Impressions and Experiences ,Italian Journeys, The Landlord at Lion�s Head, Literary Friends and Acquaintance�, A Modern Instance, The Rise of Silas Lapham, The Son of Royal Langbrith, Suburban Sketches, Their Wedding Journey, A Traveller from Altruria ,and Venetian Life. About 10 letters by Howell are located in several of the library�s manuscript collections including the Paul H. Hayne, Thomas Nelson Page, F. R. Lassiter, and Henry E. Rood Sr. Papers.

Humphreys, Josephine

The principal collection of papers of Humphreys, Duke alumnus and author. The collection contains almost 12,000 items and includes correspondence between Humphreys and other writers and editors; business contracts regarding publications and movie rights; handwritten and typed manuscripts and proofs for her books Dreams Of Sleep, Rich in Love, and The Fireman�s Fair; photographs, and audiotapes; reviews of her and others' works; and information detailing her speaking engagements and interviews. The library also holds a complete collection of her published works. For more information see the finding aid for the Josephine Humphreys papers.

Maclean, Clara Victoria Dargan, 1841-1923

About 730 manuscript items of Columbia, S. C., poet and novelist Clara Maclean. Included in the collection are correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, and other papers containing information on Southern literature and the effect of the Civil War on literary effort and remuneration.

McCullers, Carson, 1917-1967

A collection of McCullers papers, significant manuscript materials in a number of other collections, and many editions of McCullers� works. The Carson McCullers Papers consist of about 300 items: correspondence and writings by McCullers, including a draft of her work The Member of the Wedding, correspondence between McCullers and Tennessee Williams, Edith Sitwell, and cousins, Jordan Massee, Jr., and Paul Bigelow, and letters from McCullers' mother, Marguerite (Waters) Smith, to Massee and Bigelow. The library also holds papers of Virginia Spencer Carr, consisting of research files and other materials used in writing The Lonely Hunter, her 1975 biography of McCullers. The Edwin Peacock Papers include letters from McCullers and her husband, Reeves, as well as about fifty photographs of McCullers, and her family and friends. Papers of Mary Sames Tucker, McCullers� childhood piano teacher, largely consist of letters from and about McCullers. Papers of Mary E. Mercer, McCullers� psychotherapist, friend, and physician, chiefly consist of letters to Mercer from Mary Sames Tucker and are mostly about McCullers. The library also holds various editions of McCullers� published works in many languages.

Meek, A. B. (Alexander Beaufort), 1814-1865

About forty manuscript items and five volumes. The collection includes correspondence, literary works, and diaries. Meek was a poet and journalist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Morgan, Robin

The principal collection of the papers of Robin Morgan, documenting her varied career as feminist and author. The papers contain more than 5,000 items and include book manuscripts, correspondence, subject files, photographs, clippings, journals, taped interviews, and drafts for Saturday�s Child, A Hot January, Lady of the Beasts, and Depth Perception. There are also complete runs of the periodicals Rat (1970-1974) and Up From Under (1970-1971). For more information see the finding aid for Robin Morgan's papers.

O�Connor, Flannery, 1925-1964

About 340 items by and about Flannery O�Connor in the Thomas F. Gossett Papers. Gossett, a professor of English at Wake Forest University, and his wife, Louise Y. Gossett, befriended a number of American authors, including O�Connor. The collection includes correspondence with and other documents about O�Connor and materials relating to O�Connor and her friend, Father James McGown. These papers concern O�Connor�s writing, her literary speaking engagements, Catholicism and her religious beliefs, her family life and health, her pets and hobbies, social life and customs in the southeastern United States, and visits the Gossetts made to the O�Connor farm in Milledgeville, Ga.

Page, Thomas Nelson, 1853-1922

A collection of about 9,200 items of Page, novelist, lawyer, and diplomat. Included in the papers are correspondence, legal and business papers, diplomatic dispatches, and other material relating to Page�s legal and literary career.

Parker, Gwendolyn M.

The principal collection of papers of Parker, author and memoirist, who was raised in the African-American community of Durham, N.C. The papers, numbering about 250 items, primarily document Parker�s writing career and span the years 1967-1998. They consist of diaries, correspondence, clippings, writings, and other miscellaneous printed and manuscript materials. For more information see the finding aid to this collection.

Payne, Peggy

The principal collection of papers of Payne, Duke alumnus and author. The collection contains over 1,600 items and consists chiefly of drafts of various writings, including Pure in Heart, Revelation, The Hide of the Lion, Electric Yellow, and Sister India. The papers also include correspondence, clippings, and printed material. The library also holds a complete collection of her published works.

Porter, Joe Ashby, 1942-
The principal collection of papers of Porter, Duke University faculty member and author. The collection includes notebooks containing a holograph draft of the published novel, Eelgrass, a typescript of the unpublished novella, Let�s Hide Our Eyes Then, and many periodicals containing short fiction by Porter. The library also holds a complete collection of Porter�s published books. For more information see the finding aid.

Powell, Padgett

The principal collection of papers of Powell, author and professor of English at the University of Florida. The collection contains about 8,000 items, including correspondence, writings, notes, speeches, manuscripts, publisher's galleys, page proofs, master pages, published volumes, serials, audio cassettes, pamphlets, and travel documents. The library also holds a complete collection of Powell�s published works.

Price, Reynolds, 1933-

The principal collection of papers and a complete collection of the published works of Price, Duke University faculty member, Duke alumnus, and author. The papers contain over 54,000 items and include correspondence; writings by Price and other authors; printed material; legal and financial papers; speeches and addresses; interviews; and other material relating to Price's personal life and his career as a writer and teacher, especially at Duke. For more information, see the finding aid for the Reynolds Price papers.

Shreve, Anita

The principal collection of papers of best selling author Shreve, and a complete collection of her published works. The papers include drafts, notes, research materials, contracts, royalty statements, publicity items, and correspondence relating to her novels. Her works include Eden Close, Fortune�s Rocks, Sea Glass, Stranger Fits of Passion, The Last Time They Met, The Pilot�s Wife, and The Weight of Water.

Shulman, Alix Kates

The principal collection of papers of Shulman, feminist, author, and political activist. The papers consist of about 12,700 items, focusing primarily on Shulman�s writing and literary career. They include manuscripts, notes, clippings, correspondence, photographs, audio and videotapes, microfilm, address and date books, and family and business records. Among Shulman�s works are Burning Questions, Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen, and On the Stroll.

Southern Literature Book Collection

A broad collection of printed Southern literary works, acquired as they have been published since 1996, maintained in pristine, dust-jacketed condition, and reliably available for on-site use, along with selected earlier twentieth-century works, especially those produced by Southern small presses.

Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte, 1819-1899

A Southworth manuscript collection numbering about 340 items. Southworth was a novelist from Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The collection contains literary, business, and personal correspondence.

Styron, William, 1925-

The principal collection of papers and a complete collection of the printed works of Styron, Duke alumnus and author. The collection contains over 22,000 items and includes correspondence; writings by Styron and other authors; printed materials; audiotapes, videotapes, and photographs; legal and financial papers; speeches and addresses; interviews; scrapbooks; and other material relating to Styron's personal life and his career as a writer. Extensive personal and professional correspondence concerns his education at Duke (particularly his studies with Professor William Blackburn), his literary career, and his personal life. Styron�s works include Confessions of Nat Turner, Darkness Visible, Lie Down in Darkness, Long March, Set This House on Fire, Sophie�s Choice, and Tidewater Morning. For more information see the finding aid for the William Styron Papers.

Tyler, Anne

The principal collection of papers and a complete collection of the printed works of Tyler, Duke alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The manuscript collection of about 4,200 items includes holograph and typescript drafts of Tyler's novels and short stories; clippings of articles about Tyler and her writings; serials containing articles by or about Tyler and her work; correspondence between Tyler and her publishers; and materials regarding the movie Accidental Tourist. Among Tyler�s works are Accidental Tourist, Breathing Lessons, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Celestial Navigation, Ladder of Years, Patchwork Planet, and Saint Maybe.

Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892

Walt Whitman One of the three most extensive collections of Whitman material in the world. The collection includes manuscripts, published material, portraits, and photographs. The number of published items numbers more than 400, including many first editions. Manuscripts include poems, prose experiments, and autobiographical pieces by Whitman, as well as manuscripts about or relating to him. For more information see the finding aid.

Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892

Over fifty published works by Whittier, and a small collection of Whittier manuscripts. There are also more than twenty letters by Whittier in other manuscript collections, including the papers of Paul H. Hayne, C. C. Jones, and Hanson Risley.