January 19-February 11, 1971
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 11
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
HAGEN, TIMOTHY. Young poet and artist, former student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. January 19 and 27, 1971. Hopes McGrath could make out poems he sent. Is attempting the most ambitious poetry project ever. Magazine is at the printers; will send copies Hagen did the art; difficult to visually interpret another’s poem. David Martinson meeting with some literary success. Writes of despair and the obstacles it creates. Encloses a poem "Untitled". 'Magazine finishes, will send copies, Enclosed 2 lithographs. Mike, Dale, Martinson and Daniel on creative sprees. Hasn't written much lately, but feels things "coming on," One based on childhood experience. Excited about how writing changing again, Asks why McGrath named his magazine Crazy Horse.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Poet from Connecticut. Contemporary American poet. Jan. 24, 1971. Requests McGrath's address. HAGEN, TIMOTHY. Young poet and artist. Student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. Jan. 23, 1971. He has written 100 poems in 3 weeks. 80 of which he likes. Very happy Thomas was helping him with his poems. Sent some more poems to Thomas. Glad he's feeling better.
WOLFF, HENRY. Expatriate American poet living in Europe and India for the past 12 years. McGrath met Wolff in Ibiza, Spain. Jan, 29, 1971. Enjoyed re-reading Thomas's poetry last summer. Sorry to hear of ill health, Tells Thomas to take it easy and worry about rest when well, Says he had hepatitis.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, Friend of McGrath's; former NDSU teacher, English Department. February 2, 1971. Tells of inaccessibility of ideas in Spain. Working on Middle of "Meditation on War Graves", and also rewriting novel. Originality of "Letters" is the new poetic American language. Trying to write review of "Letters", Glad to hear better, they live in a one room office, he offers Thomas money if he’s having trouble finding a job.
BORRE, JOHN R. Member of the English Department at St. Cloud, Minnesota. Feb. 2, 1971. Sets fees and date for a McGrath reading at St. Cloud State. Also requests that McGrath speak in a couple of English classes. Passes along an invitation to stay with Dr, Russell and his wife or offers to reserve a room. Gives name of Bemidji's English Department head.
GARRETT?, SANDY. Feb. 2, 1971. Alvaro Cardona has book out by Little Square Review Press. Trace's final issue to Press months ago. Christmas letter telling of friends in California.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Feb 2, 1971. Has gotten a lot of writing and revising done (12 poems in last 2½ months) arranging them in a partial manuscript to be completed "within another year or so." Was laid off job--Carolyn and he postponed wedding second time, tho', she moved in to save money on second apartment. Pleased at how well getting along on so little money, happy also. Mark had a good trip. Expresses his and other's concern over McGrath's health. James Atlas received a Rhodes Scholarship.
WILSON, MARK. Young poet currently living in California originally from North Dakota. Has collected an extensive collection of McGrath criticism and volumes, which are currently in possession of David Martinson, Moorhead, Minnesota. Feb. 6, 1971. Heard a poetry reading in San Francisco by Gary Snyder and Robert ? (Bly). Will be doing poetry reviews for Rolling Stone, including Letters. Covers extensively progress on bibliography of McGrath's works and criticisms, writes of the possibility of re-editing it into a book. (M. Anania's suggestion) Good to hear from McGrath about good health.
LUSCHEI, GLENNA. Editor of Solo Press and little magazine Cafe Solo. Three issues appeared to date (Nov., 1971), second one containing poems by McGrath the third a review of Letters by Gene Frumkin. Feb. 11, 1971. Gene Frumkin reviewing Letters for Solo Press --wants copy of it, Sending some poems for Crazy Horse, though not sure McGrath still publishing it. Asks about Tomasito and if received Christmas present. Misses being in touch.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Poet from Connecticut. Contemporary American poet. Jan. 24, 1971. Requests McGrath's address. HAGEN, TIMOTHY. Young poet and artist. Student of McGrath's at Moorhead State College. Jan. 23, 1971. He has written 100 poems in 3 weeks. 80 of which he likes. Very happy Thomas was helping him with his poems. Sent some more poems to Thomas. Glad he's feeling better.
WOLFF, HENRY. Expatriate American poet living in Europe and India for the past 12 years. McGrath met Wolff in Ibiza, Spain. Jan, 29, 1971. Enjoyed re-reading Thomas's poetry last summer. Sorry to hear of ill health, Tells Thomas to take it easy and worry about rest when well, Says he had hepatitis.
BEECHING, JACK. British poet and novelist, Friend of McGrath's; former NDSU teacher, English Department. February 2, 1971. Tells of inaccessibility of ideas in Spain. Working on Middle of "Meditation on War Graves", and also rewriting novel. Originality of "Letters" is the new poetic American language. Trying to write review of "Letters", Glad to hear better, they live in a one room office, he offers Thomas money if he’s having trouble finding a job.
BORRE, JOHN R. Member of the English Department at St. Cloud, Minnesota. Feb. 2, 1971. Sets fees and date for a McGrath reading at St. Cloud State. Also requests that McGrath speak in a couple of English classes. Passes along an invitation to stay with Dr, Russell and his wife or offers to reserve a room. Gives name of Bemidji's English Department head.
GARRETT?, SANDY. Feb. 2, 1971. Alvaro Cardona has book out by Little Square Review Press. Trace's final issue to Press months ago. Christmas letter telling of friends in California.
KINGSTON, ROGER. East Coast poet and essayist. Feb 2, 1971. Has gotten a lot of writing and revising done (12 poems in last 2½ months) arranging them in a partial manuscript to be completed "within another year or so." Was laid off job--Carolyn and he postponed wedding second time, tho', she moved in to save money on second apartment. Pleased at how well getting along on so little money, happy also. Mark had a good trip. Expresses his and other's concern over McGrath's health. James Atlas received a Rhodes Scholarship.
WILSON, MARK. Young poet currently living in California originally from North Dakota. Has collected an extensive collection of McGrath criticism and volumes, which are currently in possession of David Martinson, Moorhead, Minnesota. Feb. 6, 1971. Heard a poetry reading in San Francisco by Gary Snyder and Robert ? (Bly). Will be doing poetry reviews for Rolling Stone, including Letters. Covers extensively progress on bibliography of McGrath's works and criticisms, writes of the possibility of re-editing it into a book. (M. Anania's suggestion) Good to hear from McGrath about good health.
LUSCHEI, GLENNA. Editor of Solo Press and little magazine Cafe Solo. Three issues appeared to date (Nov., 1971), second one containing poems by McGrath the third a review of Letters by Gene Frumkin. Feb. 11, 1971. Gene Frumkin reviewing Letters for Solo Press --wants copy of it, Sending some poems for Crazy Horse, though not sure McGrath still publishing it. Asks about Tomasito and if received Christmas present. Misses being in touch.
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