February 12 -March 29, 1971
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 12
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
BOND, TOM. A student of Howard McCord's at Washington State University, who's doing a special project on McGrath's poems. Feb. 12, 1971. Doing a special project for Howard McCord at WSU on McGrath's poems, especially Letters to an Imaginary Friend -- requests that McGrath send information on his books in print and what representative of development and foundation of Letters. Hopes to be able to discuss Letters with McGrath someday.
GARDNER, VIRGINIA. Anthologist and editor. Feb. 13, 1971. Thanks for news of Crazy Horse and John's poems. Enclosed ad from new Nation for Letter to an Imaginary Friend with three reviews quoted. Expresses gratitude for encouragement on book on Louise Bryant --idea of Louise changed since deeper into research. Glad to hear feeling better and have house till May--encourages McGrath to take it easy. Merer, Harry. Feb. 15, 1971. Discussed evil of Tammany type politics. Tells of his flu and trip. Wishes for more time and money to travel, Complains of the rat race or "hustle" he's in. Remembers the days when he was a baseball pitcher.
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, Minnesota. March 16, 1971. Four short writings all entitled "Allies."
VINZ, MARK. Moorhead State College teacher and editor of Dakota Territory. March 18, 1971. Thanks him for comments on his poems. Sends Thomas a short poem "All This Darkness." Sends clipping from Chicago Daily News. He talked to Dr. Dille about Thomas getting his job back, but to no avail. He's giving Thomas' friends his address in Mexico.
VINZ, MARK. Editor of Dakota Territory and English teacher at Moorhead State College. March 22, 1971. Thanks Thomas for his criticism of poetry. Doesn't like to use place names in poetry. He has a melancholy to poems because is unable to establish roots anywhere. Wrote 50 poems last year and is working on dissertation. Will be reviewed for tenure this spring. Thomas is able to work and is well.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Poet from Connecticut. March 25, 1971. Hails Thomas as front ranking poet. Asks Thomas! help in getting a book published.
LUSCHEI, GLENNA. Editor, of the Solo Press and the little magazine Cafe Solo, Three issues have appeared to date (Nov. 1971) The second issue contains poems by McGrath; the third issue, a review of Letters I and II by Gene Frumkin. March 25, 1971. Request two new poems for next issue of Cafe Solo. Will send poems to Crazy Horse. Book inspired document. Inquires into well being of family.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Contemporary American poet. March 27, 1971. Declares Thomas as one of the best. Wants him to read his poems and be accepted in the McGrath circle. He feels desperate because he's afraid he'll die before he gets his book published.
ANANIA, MICHAEL. ? Book review of Letter I and II, probably sent by Anania, poetry editor of Swallow Press, Chicago. March 29, 1971. Review of Letter to an Imaginary Friend from the Chicago Sun Times. The review is a good review for Thomas--he says he's living intensely the life of his time both in his art and outside as well.
GARDNER, VIRGINIA. Anthologist and editor. Feb. 13, 1971. Thanks for news of Crazy Horse and John's poems. Enclosed ad from new Nation for Letter to an Imaginary Friend with three reviews quoted. Expresses gratitude for encouragement on book on Louise Bryant --idea of Louise changed since deeper into research. Glad to hear feeling better and have house till May--encourages McGrath to take it easy. Merer, Harry. Feb. 15, 1971. Discussed evil of Tammany type politics. Tells of his flu and trip. Wishes for more time and money to travel, Complains of the rat race or "hustle" he's in. Remembers the days when he was a baseball pitcher.
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, Minnesota. March 16, 1971. Four short writings all entitled "Allies."
VINZ, MARK. Moorhead State College teacher and editor of Dakota Territory. March 18, 1971. Thanks him for comments on his poems. Sends Thomas a short poem "All This Darkness." Sends clipping from Chicago Daily News. He talked to Dr. Dille about Thomas getting his job back, but to no avail. He's giving Thomas' friends his address in Mexico.
VINZ, MARK. Editor of Dakota Territory and English teacher at Moorhead State College. March 22, 1971. Thanks Thomas for his criticism of poetry. Doesn't like to use place names in poetry. He has a melancholy to poems because is unable to establish roots anywhere. Wrote 50 poems last year and is working on dissertation. Will be reviewed for tenure this spring. Thomas is able to work and is well.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Poet from Connecticut. March 25, 1971. Hails Thomas as front ranking poet. Asks Thomas! help in getting a book published.
LUSCHEI, GLENNA. Editor, of the Solo Press and the little magazine Cafe Solo, Three issues have appeared to date (Nov. 1971) The second issue contains poems by McGrath; the third issue, a review of Letters I and II by Gene Frumkin. March 25, 1971. Request two new poems for next issue of Cafe Solo. Will send poems to Crazy Horse. Book inspired document. Inquires into well being of family.
CONNELLAN, LEO. Contemporary American poet. March 27, 1971. Declares Thomas as one of the best. Wants him to read his poems and be accepted in the McGrath circle. He feels desperate because he's afraid he'll die before he gets his book published.
ANANIA, MICHAEL. ? Book review of Letter I and II, probably sent by Anania, poetry editor of Swallow Press, Chicago. March 29, 1971. Review of Letter to an Imaginary Friend from the Chicago Sun Times. The review is a good review for Thomas--he says he's living intensely the life of his time both in his art and outside as well.
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