November 3-10, 1970
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 7
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
DACEY, PHILLIP. Assistant. Professor of Creative Writing at Southwest Minnesota State College, Marshall, Minn. Nov. 3, 1970. Please send information for contributor's notes on Estelle Novak.
SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE. Mailed advertisement postcard of play opening. Nov. 3, 1970. Announcement of new production team at Playhouse and a new production "An I for an I" by Vahan Gregory.
STAFFORD, WILLIAM. American poet. Nov. 3, 1970. Sends poems to Thomas. Says Kinnell declared Thomas as a good poet. Going on the "North Carolina Circuit". Stop in and see him when he's in New York.
OLMSTEAD, EDWIN. A M.D. from Grand Forks, N.D. Teaches poetry at UND apparently. Nov. 4, 1970. Enclosed a program of Linguistics Circle of Manitoba and North Dakota conference that covers McGrath's poetry. Recommends Nancy Mitford's Zelda and Albert Speer's Inside the Third Reich. Burdick won Senate seat again- dissatisfied with political system (re: Buckley's election in New York), John Lunseth getting divorced. Living in Moorhead and writing poetry. Hopes health good. Regards to "Jeannie and Tomasito".
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet in English Department, Pembroke State Univ., Pembroke, North Carolina. Nov. 6, 1970. Wondered if interested in job in English Dept. at Pembroke in Contemporary Literature and Creative Writing and if so, send information to Ackley and Dean.
WILSON, MARK. Young poet currently living in California, originally from North Dakota. Wilson has collected an intensive collection of McGrath criticism and volumes. They are currently in the possession of David Martinson, Moorhead, Minn. Nov. 7, 1970. Encloses some poems of his own and "Homeskin..." by Peter Berg--finds poems spilling out of himself writing a book on Mor-l's Graves. Gives addresses for two publications. Saw McGrath's poem in TriQuarterly. Has latest NDIRS volume edited by Dick Lyons. Allen Hoffman's poem back of letter. Gives account of what he's been doing; living and working in No. Calif.-So. Oregon-series of communes. Describes people and their activities. Allen Hoffman killed as result of an accident. Leaving for a week at Snyder's, to see Robert in San Francisco in December. 5eattle and Eugene in Jan. to "look at paintings," to N.Y.C. in Feb. or March to Willard Gallery and MOMA, then to New England and to see McGrath's wherever they are. Expresses concern about McGrath's health.
GORDON, HENRIE AND DON. Close friends of McGrath's--Don is a "leftist" - oriented poet. Nov. 9, 1970. Saw McGrath's poem in the Nation, Sending some things to Planz, not published because overstocked with McGrath poetry, so Gordon doesn't mind. Hoping letter reaches McGrath. Richard sent pictures of McGrath's. Compares illnesses. Writes of Gordon's family. Derived some satisfaction from California elections-Rafferty and Murphy out.
LITTLE, JOHN R. Member of English Department at University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N. D. Nov. 9, 1970. Expresses interest in hosting a writers conference featuring writers from the Northern Plains states to stimulate interest in native literature. Outlines probable length, fees, mechanics of conference and date. Requests a response as to interest and other possible writers.
WRIGHT, JAMES. November 9, 1970. Annie and he will be at Hartwick Nov. 14 for a poetry reading. Would like to see McGrath there. Praises Letter Part I and sections of Part II, he's read. Will bring some poems for McGrath to hopefully choose one or more for Crazy Horse. Staying with Dr. and Mrs. Howard Levant. Sorry to hear of illness.
MERWIN, W.S. American poet. Nov. 10, 1970. He's off to Mexico with no forwarding address. His correspondence will be delayed. A post card.
SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE. Mailed advertisement postcard of play opening. Nov. 3, 1970. Announcement of new production team at Playhouse and a new production "An I for an I" by Vahan Gregory.
STAFFORD, WILLIAM. American poet. Nov. 3, 1970. Sends poems to Thomas. Says Kinnell declared Thomas as a good poet. Going on the "North Carolina Circuit". Stop in and see him when he's in New York.
OLMSTEAD, EDWIN. A M.D. from Grand Forks, N.D. Teaches poetry at UND apparently. Nov. 4, 1970. Enclosed a program of Linguistics Circle of Manitoba and North Dakota conference that covers McGrath's poetry. Recommends Nancy Mitford's Zelda and Albert Speer's Inside the Third Reich. Burdick won Senate seat again- dissatisfied with political system (re: Buckley's election in New York), John Lunseth getting divorced. Living in Moorhead and writing poetry. Hopes health good. Regards to "Jeannie and Tomasito".
ACKLEY, RANDALL. Literary editor and poet in English Department, Pembroke State Univ., Pembroke, North Carolina. Nov. 6, 1970. Wondered if interested in job in English Dept. at Pembroke in Contemporary Literature and Creative Writing and if so, send information to Ackley and Dean.
WILSON, MARK. Young poet currently living in California, originally from North Dakota. Wilson has collected an intensive collection of McGrath criticism and volumes. They are currently in the possession of David Martinson, Moorhead, Minn. Nov. 7, 1970. Encloses some poems of his own and "Homeskin..." by Peter Berg--finds poems spilling out of himself writing a book on Mor-l's Graves. Gives addresses for two publications. Saw McGrath's poem in TriQuarterly. Has latest NDIRS volume edited by Dick Lyons. Allen Hoffman's poem back of letter. Gives account of what he's been doing; living and working in No. Calif.-So. Oregon-series of communes. Describes people and their activities. Allen Hoffman killed as result of an accident. Leaving for a week at Snyder's, to see Robert in San Francisco in December. 5eattle and Eugene in Jan. to "look at paintings," to N.Y.C. in Feb. or March to Willard Gallery and MOMA, then to New England and to see McGrath's wherever they are. Expresses concern about McGrath's health.
GORDON, HENRIE AND DON. Close friends of McGrath's--Don is a "leftist" - oriented poet. Nov. 9, 1970. Saw McGrath's poem in the Nation, Sending some things to Planz, not published because overstocked with McGrath poetry, so Gordon doesn't mind. Hoping letter reaches McGrath. Richard sent pictures of McGrath's. Compares illnesses. Writes of Gordon's family. Derived some satisfaction from California elections-Rafferty and Murphy out.
LITTLE, JOHN R. Member of English Department at University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N. D. Nov. 9, 1970. Expresses interest in hosting a writers conference featuring writers from the Northern Plains states to stimulate interest in native literature. Outlines probable length, fees, mechanics of conference and date. Requests a response as to interest and other possible writers.
WRIGHT, JAMES. November 9, 1970. Annie and he will be at Hartwick Nov. 14 for a poetry reading. Would like to see McGrath there. Praises Letter Part I and sections of Part II, he's read. Will bring some poems for McGrath to hopefully choose one or more for Crazy Horse. Staying with Dr. and Mrs. Howard Levant. Sorry to hear of illness.
MERWIN, W.S. American poet. Nov. 10, 1970. He's off to Mexico with no forwarding address. His correspondence will be delayed. A post card.
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