January 15-July 6, 1970
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Scope and Content
From the Collection:
The Thomas McGrath papers consist of correspondence and manuscripts. The Correspondence Series covers the period January 15, 1970 to April 10, 1971. It consists entirely of incoming letters that have been arranged chronologically. The correspondence, mainly with literary friends and former students, concerns a mixture of literary subjects and personal matters. Also, there are various letters giving opinions and inquiries about Letter to an Imaginary Friend, Parts I and II which was published in 1970. For a detailed listing of the correspondence see the calendar section of the finding aid.
The Manuscripts Series consists of a photocopy of Mr. McGrath's Letter to an Imaginary Friend, Part II and several poems. The original manuscript was returned to Mr. McGrath upon his request. The Letter to an Imaginary Friend manuscript is a handwritten, edited draft. It is close to being a final draft. Parts I to IV (pages 1-11 and 1-72) are on individual sheets while Parts IV to VI (pages 73-113) are in a bound ledger.
The Subject Files Series contains drafts of several poems by Mr. McGrath, including one written on a beer coaster and another on check blanks. The titles include, Silence and Solitude, After I'm Gone, Easter Song, Again: This Room, In the Street, In this Time, and Landscape with Birds, Early Spring. The two small notebooks contain some of Mr. McGrath's personal thoughts, literary phrases and reminders for himself.
The Manuscripts Series consists of a photocopy of Mr. McGrath's Letter to an Imaginary Friend, Part II and several poems. The original manuscript was returned to Mr. McGrath upon his request. The Letter to an Imaginary Friend manuscript is a handwritten, edited draft. It is close to being a final draft. Parts I to IV (pages 1-11 and 1-72) are on individual sheets while Parts IV to VI (pages 73-113) are in a bound ledger.
The Subject Files Series contains drafts of several poems by Mr. McGrath, including one written on a beer coaster and another on check blanks. The titles include, Silence and Solitude, After I'm Gone, Easter Song, Again: This Room, In the Street, In this Time, and Landscape with Birds, Early Spring. The two small notebooks contain some of Mr. McGrath's personal thoughts, literary phrases and reminders for himself.
Dates
- 1970-1971.
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Extent
From the Collection: .4 Linear Feet (.4 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Overview
WILLIAMS, GALEN. Poet. Director of Poet and Writers. Jan. 15, 1970. Wants information to include in a directory of poets for the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to put money in poets pockets.
________, STAN. May 3, 1970. Will send some story ideas if requested. Wonders if still teaching. Brings McGrath up-to-date on Debby, Diane, Judy and Stanley, apparently members of his family. Writes about McGrath's baby and requests a picture of the family.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, former NDSU teacher and close friend of McGrath. May 19, 1970. Rewriting some poems for exercise, shaping up for a long poem, wants Bob Bly's address to send him some poems. Still hasn't gotten Poet as Conspirator published - objection to attack on scientists, film offer faded. Settled in Toledo, Spain, describes house and city, refers to discussion on cultural revolution, asks about peace movement.
BEITZEL, RICHARD. Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Bemidji State College. June 18, 1970. Confirmation of McGrath's acceptance of an invitation to give a poetry reading at the Upper Midwest Writers' Conference at BSC on July 30 for $300.
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet. June 25, 1970. Asks Thomas to write a preface for his poetry that will appear in the "Poetry of Azatlan". If he knows of anymore Azatlan poets have them send their poems to him.
ANANIA, MICHAEL. McGrath's editor at Swallow Press. July 1, 1970. Is pleased about the good review in Chicago Daily News (enclosed). Gave several editors at the Little Magazines Council review copies of letters. Discusses new material in New and Selected. He is ready to start work on it whenever Thomas is ready.
DIAMENT, SAM. Friend of McGrath's, living in Saskatoon, Canada. July 1, 1970. Thanking for copy of Letter and thanking for the picture of son.
BEECHING, JACK and CHARLOTTE. English poet and former English teacher at NDSU and good friend of McGrath's. July 4, 1970. Discusses book A Vision by Yeats and dialectics - getting understanding of symbolism from Baudelaire/M ? Sent copy of Penguin Poems. Scolds McGrath about turning to stone prematurely, refuses to believe he has cancer. Describes Toledo and their home - Genya would like Tbiza for Tomas - Charlotte painting to ready a show for London or Zurich. Turns down loan offer note from Charlotte.
NICKSON, RICHARD. Political ally and friend; professor at Patterson State College, New Jersey. July 5, 1970. Congratulates Thomas on Letters. Hasn't had time to read Part II thoroughly yet. Tried to call - Invites Thomas to visit him. Encloses copy of letter he wrote and clipping of New Book Listing.
GORDON, DON. Personal friend and poet; long blacklisted' for "leftist" sympathies. July 6, 1970. Wonders if book is out yet. Has sent checks twice only to be returned. Happy to hear he didn't need an operation. Tells of his own sickness. Hasn't been able to write lately.
________, STAN. May 3, 1970. Will send some story ideas if requested. Wonders if still teaching. Brings McGrath up-to-date on Debby, Diane, Judy and Stanley, apparently members of his family. Writes about McGrath's baby and requests a picture of the family.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, former NDSU teacher and close friend of McGrath. May 19, 1970. Rewriting some poems for exercise, shaping up for a long poem, wants Bob Bly's address to send him some poems. Still hasn't gotten Poet as Conspirator published - objection to attack on scientists, film offer faded. Settled in Toledo, Spain, describes house and city, refers to discussion on cultural revolution, asks about peace movement.
BEITZEL, RICHARD. Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Bemidji State College. June 18, 1970. Confirmation of McGrath's acceptance of an invitation to give a poetry reading at the Upper Midwest Writers' Conference at BSC on July 30 for $300.
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet. June 25, 1970. Asks Thomas to write a preface for his poetry that will appear in the "Poetry of Azatlan". If he knows of anymore Azatlan poets have them send their poems to him.
ANANIA, MICHAEL. McGrath's editor at Swallow Press. July 1, 1970. Is pleased about the good review in Chicago Daily News (enclosed). Gave several editors at the Little Magazines Council review copies of letters. Discusses new material in New and Selected. He is ready to start work on it whenever Thomas is ready.
DIAMENT, SAM. Friend of McGrath's, living in Saskatoon, Canada. July 1, 1970. Thanking for copy of Letter and thanking for the picture of son.
BEECHING, JACK and CHARLOTTE. English poet and former English teacher at NDSU and good friend of McGrath's. July 4, 1970. Discusses book A Vision by Yeats and dialectics - getting understanding of symbolism from Baudelaire/M ? Sent copy of Penguin Poems. Scolds McGrath about turning to stone prematurely, refuses to believe he has cancer. Describes Toledo and their home - Genya would like Tbiza for Tomas - Charlotte painting to ready a show for London or Zurich. Turns down loan offer note from Charlotte.
NICKSON, RICHARD. Political ally and friend; professor at Patterson State College, New Jersey. July 5, 1970. Congratulates Thomas on Letters. Hasn't had time to read Part II thoroughly yet. Tried to call - Invites Thomas to visit him. Encloses copy of letter he wrote and clipping of New Book Listing.
GORDON, DON. Personal friend and poet; long blacklisted' for "leftist" sympathies. July 6, 1970. Wonders if book is out yet. Has sent checks twice only to be returned. Happy to hear he didn't need an operation. Tells of his own sickness. Hasn't been able to write lately.
Creator
- From the Collection: McGrath, Thomas, 1916-1990. (Person)
- From the Collection: McGrath, Thomas, 1916-1990. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu