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August 7-September 2, 1970

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 4

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.

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

BLAIR, MAG and MAC. Friend of McGrath's living in Mexico - McGrath rented a house from him in Guadalajara in 1969-1970. August 7, 1970. Has an apt. for rent at $90/mo. Will pay $125 toward carfare to come down. Must let them know by end of month.

WOLFF, HENRY. Expatriate American poet living in Europe and India for past 12 years. McGrath met Wolff in Ibizza, Spain. August 8, 1970. Sent packet of poetry in January from Paris. Was in Katmandu, Afghanistan, now back in Ibiza. Wants to keep in touch.

GORDON, DON. Poet and personal friend of McGrath's. August 11, 1970. Detailed praise and reaction to a book by McGrath. Pleased to be quoted, doubts about communers. Much praise.

BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, former NDSU teacher, close friend of McGrath's. August 15, 1970. Praises Letters but says not too many people will understand them. Trying to have it reviewed in Spain. Wants to move to mountains near Tarragona. Doing some work in movies. Includes poem "The Military Museum in the Church of Santa Irene. Literary - Note on envelope - Believe its for sending review copies to personal friends and literary editors. No letter.

TRAUTMAN, OLIVIA. August 16, 1970. Inquiring as to how she can buy the "Poetry North." Tells of niece, Karen Swenson, who has written poems that were published in the New Yorker.

MEYERS, BERT. West Coast poet, teacher at Phitzer College, Claremont, Calif. August 20, 1970. Discussed his opinion of Patchen and McGrath as best contemporary poets in America. Says he hasn't written lately, would like to paint. Asks for recommendation for a grant. Advises to see a good doctor, stop smoking and drinking.

FRUMKIN, EUGENE. New Mexico poet, close friend of McGrath, receiver of Letter. August 31, 1970. Would like to send poems for him to read and get published at Swallow. He has written a lot of material in last 3 or 4 years that he hasn't tried to publish. Must go back to school in a week. He doesn't look forward to the school year with all the student unrest.

HAGEN, TIM. Young poet and artist - student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. August 31, 1970. Covers extensively a theory on controlling subconscious thoughts and McGrath's offer of critiquing some of his poems, includes four. Wants name of McGrath's novel, so he can read it. Sorry to hear of McGrath's illness - his wife sends sympathies to McGrath's wife.

GORDON, DON. Close friend of McGrath's. A "leftist" - oriented poet. Sept. 2, 1970. Thanks Thomas for the magazine Suggestions. Doesn't like Kayak because he doesn't understand it. Sends poem "Fever" to Thomas. He is concerned about Thomas' health. Tells of drugs he's taking for his fever. Tells Thomas he's too young to be ill.

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
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Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States