October 6-November 2, 1970
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 6
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
FIXEL, LAWRENCE. October 6, 1970. Thanks for taking poems. Would appreciate McGrath informing him as to whomever to write to at Swallow about novel - understands McGrath not wanting to bother with it "at this point". Hopes tests come out all right, indicating nothing serious. Requests that McGrath let him know how he feels.
MEYERS, BERT. West Coast poet; teacher at Phitzer College, Claremont, California. Oct. 8, 1970. Thanks for Guggenheim recommendation, though' rejected four times already. Amy Lowell people may contact McGrath. Due for sabbatical so would like either fellowship. Concerned about McGrath's health-- asks about Genia and son. Odette is teaching, makes things easier for them at last financially.
JACOBSON, DALE. Publishing a poetry magazine in Moorhead, Minnesota, Possibly a former student of McGrath's. Oct 12, 1970. Thanks McGrath for criticism of his poetry, explains his experimentation and optimism for future writing. Dan Parsons taking classes at M.S., after getting high school diploma. Dan monitoring classes and baking bread, Mike's reading and writing. Tim makes fantastic spaghetti sauce.
HAGEN, TIM. Young poet and artist- student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. October 16, 1970. Reading "Letters to an Imaginary Friend" and finds it "powerful". Beginning to see what McGrath means by "Dakota Experience." Wanted to write, but suffers from "-student-teacher" complex, as do Mike, Dale, and Mark, though' Mark least, All concerned about McGrath's health.
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet. Oct. 20, 1970. Send poetry and comments as available. Saw McGrath's name for Mankato State for a reading trip. Went to Southwest Poets` Conference-good conference. Got his book and will start it and mention it in Q#2. Sorry to hear of ill health.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Oct. 22, 1970. Asks if McGrath minds that he used him for a reference for the Guggenheim fellowship. Includes Guggenheim project plans and a poem, 'I Woke Her With a Kiss". Working toward time U.S. Educational system can be replaced-the project a first step. James Atlas will review copy for McGrath to correct before printing. While doesn't think Swallow publishing as much quality as formerly, marketing and book layouts much improved. Kingston s writing picking up--will send some poems to Crazy Horse. Gus Blaisdel still at UNM Press. Bly’s new anthology good, Kingston would have included a couple more McGrath poems. Carolyn won solo in Hadyn's "Mass in Time of War" at Harvard, her sister won another. (Encloses photo of Carolyn.) Postpones wedding to early 1971; will let McGrath know date. Requests snapshots of family. Asks future plans.
HITCHCOCK, GEORGE. Editor of Kayak magazine, one of the most important "Little Magazines" of the 1960s. Oct. 28, 1970. Sent names and addresses to Thomas. Happy to exchange ads with Crazy Horse. Will send poems to him.
DAU, DENNIS. Poet from North Dakota and one time NDSU student. Oct. 31, 1970. Has aspirations of becoming a writer. Has published a few poems. Asks for help in writing and publishing. Would like to look him up when he gets to the West Coast.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Oct. 31, 1970. Includes a review of Letters for Poetry by Jim Atlas -- Atlas trying to set up reading by McGrath at Harvard--tries to quiet McGrath's fears about Letters "dropping out of sight"; praising the book--thanks for comments on a poem--talks about a school project of his. Plans to get together and comments on health of McGrath. Talks about fiancée Carolyn and postponement of wedding. Asked about Genia and Tomasito.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, former NDSU teacher and close friend of McGrath's. Nov. 2, 1970. Bemoans there are no good poets except Americans. Thomas only one who understands his poetry. Offers to assist in getting Letters reviewed by TLS. Sends five poems to Thomas for him to read. Invites Thomas to visit in Spain.
MEYERS, BERT. West Coast poet; teacher at Phitzer College, Claremont, California. Oct. 8, 1970. Thanks for Guggenheim recommendation, though' rejected four times already. Amy Lowell people may contact McGrath. Due for sabbatical so would like either fellowship. Concerned about McGrath's health-- asks about Genia and son. Odette is teaching, makes things easier for them at last financially.
JACOBSON, DALE. Publishing a poetry magazine in Moorhead, Minnesota, Possibly a former student of McGrath's. Oct 12, 1970. Thanks McGrath for criticism of his poetry, explains his experimentation and optimism for future writing. Dan Parsons taking classes at M.S., after getting high school diploma. Dan monitoring classes and baking bread, Mike's reading and writing. Tim makes fantastic spaghetti sauce.
HAGEN, TIM. Young poet and artist- student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. October 16, 1970. Reading "Letters to an Imaginary Friend" and finds it "powerful". Beginning to see what McGrath means by "Dakota Experience." Wanted to write, but suffers from "-student-teacher" complex, as do Mike, Dale, and Mark, though' Mark least, All concerned about McGrath's health.
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet. Oct. 20, 1970. Send poetry and comments as available. Saw McGrath's name for Mankato State for a reading trip. Went to Southwest Poets` Conference-good conference. Got his book and will start it and mention it in Q#2. Sorry to hear of ill health.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Oct. 22, 1970. Asks if McGrath minds that he used him for a reference for the Guggenheim fellowship. Includes Guggenheim project plans and a poem, 'I Woke Her With a Kiss". Working toward time U.S. Educational system can be replaced-the project a first step. James Atlas will review copy for McGrath to correct before printing. While doesn't think Swallow publishing as much quality as formerly, marketing and book layouts much improved. Kingston s writing picking up--will send some poems to Crazy Horse. Gus Blaisdel still at UNM Press. Bly’s new anthology good, Kingston would have included a couple more McGrath poems. Carolyn won solo in Hadyn's "Mass in Time of War" at Harvard, her sister won another. (Encloses photo of Carolyn.) Postpones wedding to early 1971; will let McGrath know date. Requests snapshots of family. Asks future plans.
HITCHCOCK, GEORGE. Editor of Kayak magazine, one of the most important "Little Magazines" of the 1960s. Oct. 28, 1970. Sent names and addresses to Thomas. Happy to exchange ads with Crazy Horse. Will send poems to him.
DAU, DENNIS. Poet from North Dakota and one time NDSU student. Oct. 31, 1970. Has aspirations of becoming a writer. Has published a few poems. Asks for help in writing and publishing. Would like to look him up when he gets to the West Coast.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Oct. 31, 1970. Includes a review of Letters for Poetry by Jim Atlas -- Atlas trying to set up reading by McGrath at Harvard--tries to quiet McGrath's fears about Letters "dropping out of sight"; praising the book--thanks for comments on a poem--talks about a school project of his. Plans to get together and comments on health of McGrath. Talks about fiancée Carolyn and postponement of wedding. Asked about Genia and Tomasito.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, former NDSU teacher and close friend of McGrath's. Nov. 2, 1970. Bemoans there are no good poets except Americans. Thomas only one who understands his poetry. Offers to assist in getting Letters reviewed by TLS. Sends five poems to Thomas for him to read. Invites Thomas to visit in Spain.
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