September 5-October 5, 1970
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 5
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
WALTER, KATHLEEN. His sister. Sept. 5, 1970. Wants to know the publisher of his novel and children books, so she can purchase them. She's visiting mom and reports that she's very tired and can't do very strenuous work. Brings McGrath up-to-date on her family and other family members. Expresses her concern about McGrath's health.
LYONS, RICHARD. Poet and friend, teacher at NDSU. Sept. 6, 1970. Enclosed some poems he had intended to give McGrath before he left - saw ad about revival of Phoenix, listing McGrath as an original contributor. Wrote about novel he's completing. Kit moved to Detroit. Still wants to interview McGrath.
MERER, HARRY. September 8, 1970. A sensitive, emotional, positive appraisal of "Letters". Asks about Genya and Tomasito. Asks about McGrath's health and where he'll be.
FIXEL, LAWRENCE. September 10, 1970. Pleased that McGrath selecting his poems for Crazy Horse, though' their publication not as meaningful as previously- McGrath trying to get Swallow Press to publish a novel of Fixel's written in 1963 - Fixel thanks him, though' pessimistic about its publication. Hitchcock publishing a collection of parables. Writes of McGrath's illness, comparing it to Hitchcock and him.
MEYERS, BERT. West Coast poet; teacher at Phitzer College, Claremont, Calif. September 11, 1970. Will be reviewing "Letters" for Kayak. Reading for courses will be teaching in fall.
NICKSON, RICHARD. Political ally and friend, professor at Patterson State College, New Jersey. September 16, 1970. Anxious to read Part II of "Letters....". Asks Genia to send "a copy or two of your Greek journal." Enclosed snapshots of McGrath's (Thomas, Genia and Tomasito with Nickson?) Classes underway. Joel in school. A girl renting part of third floor.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist. Associate of McGrath's while he taught at NDSU. Sept. 23, 1970. Wants Thomas to send copy of "Letters" to a friend in England. Wants to continue working on his long poem. He's getting married and leaving London for Spain. Hopes Thomas is feeling better.
GERSHGOREN, SID. October 2, 1970. Comments positively on Crazy Horse says better than Hitchcock, agrees that his poetry should be published, but Paul Carroll hasn't returned his manuscript. Includes some writings. Fired from Hayward State, so unemployed. Spent three months in Europe; glad to be back. Catches McGrath up on doings of mutual friends.
GARDNER, JOHN.? October 5, 1970. Got rejection slip from Robert Bly after sending him some "neo-Wadsworth..." Glad that McGrath wrote just ended "too-close relationship" with someone. Commented on McGrath's ulcers, told him to "cultivate the pure calm, sublime faith that keeps the sage afloat..."
HAZEL, ROBERT (BOB). Apparently in English Department at New York University. Oct. 5, 1970. Thanks for "beautiful and powerful" Letters I and II. Re-read it often. Asks if McGrath goading Uncle Sam o behalf of Indians. Asks Genia about child.
LYONS, RICHARD. Poet and friend, teacher at NDSU. Sept. 6, 1970. Enclosed some poems he had intended to give McGrath before he left - saw ad about revival of Phoenix, listing McGrath as an original contributor. Wrote about novel he's completing. Kit moved to Detroit. Still wants to interview McGrath.
MERER, HARRY. September 8, 1970. A sensitive, emotional, positive appraisal of "Letters". Asks about Genya and Tomasito. Asks about McGrath's health and where he'll be.
FIXEL, LAWRENCE. September 10, 1970. Pleased that McGrath selecting his poems for Crazy Horse, though' their publication not as meaningful as previously- McGrath trying to get Swallow Press to publish a novel of Fixel's written in 1963 - Fixel thanks him, though' pessimistic about its publication. Hitchcock publishing a collection of parables. Writes of McGrath's illness, comparing it to Hitchcock and him.
MEYERS, BERT. West Coast poet; teacher at Phitzer College, Claremont, Calif. September 11, 1970. Will be reviewing "Letters" for Kayak. Reading for courses will be teaching in fall.
NICKSON, RICHARD. Political ally and friend, professor at Patterson State College, New Jersey. September 16, 1970. Anxious to read Part II of "Letters....". Asks Genia to send "a copy or two of your Greek journal." Enclosed snapshots of McGrath's (Thomas, Genia and Tomasito with Nickson?) Classes underway. Joel in school. A girl renting part of third floor.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist. Associate of McGrath's while he taught at NDSU. Sept. 23, 1970. Wants Thomas to send copy of "Letters" to a friend in England. Wants to continue working on his long poem. He's getting married and leaving London for Spain. Hopes Thomas is feeling better.
GERSHGOREN, SID. October 2, 1970. Comments positively on Crazy Horse says better than Hitchcock, agrees that his poetry should be published, but Paul Carroll hasn't returned his manuscript. Includes some writings. Fired from Hayward State, so unemployed. Spent three months in Europe; glad to be back. Catches McGrath up on doings of mutual friends.
GARDNER, JOHN.? October 5, 1970. Got rejection slip from Robert Bly after sending him some "neo-Wadsworth..." Glad that McGrath wrote just ended "too-close relationship" with someone. Commented on McGrath's ulcers, told him to "cultivate the pure calm, sublime faith that keeps the sage afloat..."
HAZEL, ROBERT (BOB). Apparently in English Department at New York University. Oct. 5, 1970. Thanks for "beautiful and powerful" Letters I and II. Re-read it often. Asks if McGrath goading Uncle Sam o behalf of Indians. Asks Genia about child.
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