March 29-April 10, 1971
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 13
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
BLAZEK, DOUGLAS. Close friend of McGrath's from California; poet and teacher. March 29, 1971. Sent Thomas a copy of his book Skull Juices and Flux and Reflux. Wonders how he can get a copy to people at Crazy Horse. Will send contribution to magazine. Can help find job the quart is gone.
GARDNER, VIRGINIA. Anthologist and editor. March 30, 1971. Thinks "Letters" to be most satisfying work in modern times. Quotes passages from book. Thanks Thomas for putting it all down. Wonders if Bob Crourie received a copy.
________, IRWIN. Associated with Guardian of New York City. March 30, 1971. Requests copy of Letter to an Imaginary Friend, Doesn't have much to do with deciding what books they review. He would rather write.
VINZ, MARK. Teacher at Moorhead State College, editor of little magazine Dakota Territory. The first issue of the magazine was devoted primarily to McGrath. -Enclosure from Sally McFarland, also a teacher at MSC, English department. March 30, 1971. Tells Thomas what the job situation at M,S.C. is and what the hopes of coming back would be. Enclosure from Sally McFarland AAUP representative--tells AAUP can do nothing if he wrote letter of resignation, Says should try for 72-73 year.
IGNATOW, DAVID. Contemporary American poet, editor of Chelsea, an important little magazine of the 1960's. March 31, 1971. Tells of job possibilities in New York City University, Will try to have a few poems for Crazy Horse. Hopes Thomas is not angry because Chelsea did not publish entire poem only excerpts. Heard of illness, glad he's recovering.
BREKKE, SAM and KAY. Student of McGrath's at NDSU; currently living in Calif. April 2, 1971. Tells of the UFWOC Lettuce boycott. They have a theatre group who is putting on material sympathetic to the Chicano cause. It is stirring the people up to action. Not enough money to visit. Invite Thomas up to see them. Tells of house available. Fills Thomas in on activities of friends Vinz, Eric Barker, Dan Owens.
FLINT, ROLAND. English professor, Georgetown Univ. April 5, 1971. He is sending poems to Thomas to read. Apologized for the number, would be happy if he liked one. Declares Thomas as one of the best poets today Happy to have met him at last. Sends photocopy of Index from Jim Wright's copy of letters. Call him if you ever get to Washington.
WILSON, MARK. California poet originally from North Dakota. April 8, 1971. Has stopped writing prose. Sorry about bibliography-hopes Martinson will be able to do a good job. House in Sheldon Project is coming along fine, Would like to see Thomas in Tucson. If not then will be in Minn. in the summer. Would like to talk to Thomas about writing.
GORDON, DON. Contemporary Am. poet. Close personal friend of McGrath's. April 10, 1971. Quantity is not important. Quality of Thomas' poems are always high--that's what counts. Will meet Thomas in Tucson in May if he doesn't get sick. Invites Thomas to visit him in L.A.
McCORD, HOWARD. Apparently a professor of English at Washington State University. Undated. Am half way through "Letters … " Praises "Letters ", also passes on praise from two friends.
McCORD, HOWARD. Apparently a professor of English at Washington State University. Undated. Thanks for comments on his work, Sends last 3 poetry books, copy of Fraenkel book on way. "Longjaunes" explained includes "The Spanish Dark", In those sent, ambivalent about it. Dora adds her greetings to Howard's to Genya and son.
WILSON, MARK. Young native North Dakotan poet, living in California; formerly a student of McGrath's. Undated. Six poems.
BOREE, JOHN R. Member of St. Cloud State College's English Department. Undated. Informed that McGrath might be available for a poetry reading during St. Cloud's Fine Arts Festival in late February-early March--asks if McGrath available. Would appreciate hearing soon. Long an admirer of McGrath's poetry; surprised to hear an old acquaintance of Dr. Russell. Tentatively sets reading for Feb. 25 and fees. Would also like McGrath to talk to classes on Thursday and Friday. Hopes McGrath feeling better soon and that can attend festival.
GARDNER, VIRGINIA. Anthologist and editor. March 30, 1971. Thinks "Letters" to be most satisfying work in modern times. Quotes passages from book. Thanks Thomas for putting it all down. Wonders if Bob Crourie received a copy.
________, IRWIN. Associated with Guardian of New York City. March 30, 1971. Requests copy of Letter to an Imaginary Friend, Doesn't have much to do with deciding what books they review. He would rather write.
VINZ, MARK. Teacher at Moorhead State College, editor of little magazine Dakota Territory. The first issue of the magazine was devoted primarily to McGrath. -Enclosure from Sally McFarland, also a teacher at MSC, English department. March 30, 1971. Tells Thomas what the job situation at M,S.C. is and what the hopes of coming back would be. Enclosure from Sally McFarland AAUP representative--tells AAUP can do nothing if he wrote letter of resignation, Says should try for 72-73 year.
IGNATOW, DAVID. Contemporary American poet, editor of Chelsea, an important little magazine of the 1960's. March 31, 1971. Tells of job possibilities in New York City University, Will try to have a few poems for Crazy Horse. Hopes Thomas is not angry because Chelsea did not publish entire poem only excerpts. Heard of illness, glad he's recovering.
BREKKE, SAM and KAY. Student of McGrath's at NDSU; currently living in Calif. April 2, 1971. Tells of the UFWOC Lettuce boycott. They have a theatre group who is putting on material sympathetic to the Chicano cause. It is stirring the people up to action. Not enough money to visit. Invite Thomas up to see them. Tells of house available. Fills Thomas in on activities of friends Vinz, Eric Barker, Dan Owens.
FLINT, ROLAND. English professor, Georgetown Univ. April 5, 1971. He is sending poems to Thomas to read. Apologized for the number, would be happy if he liked one. Declares Thomas as one of the best poets today Happy to have met him at last. Sends photocopy of Index from Jim Wright's copy of letters. Call him if you ever get to Washington.
WILSON, MARK. California poet originally from North Dakota. April 8, 1971. Has stopped writing prose. Sorry about bibliography-hopes Martinson will be able to do a good job. House in Sheldon Project is coming along fine, Would like to see Thomas in Tucson. If not then will be in Minn. in the summer. Would like to talk to Thomas about writing.
GORDON, DON. Contemporary Am. poet. Close personal friend of McGrath's. April 10, 1971. Quantity is not important. Quality of Thomas' poems are always high--that's what counts. Will meet Thomas in Tucson in May if he doesn't get sick. Invites Thomas to visit him in L.A.
McCORD, HOWARD. Apparently a professor of English at Washington State University. Undated. Am half way through "Letters … " Praises "Letters ", also passes on praise from two friends.
McCORD, HOWARD. Apparently a professor of English at Washington State University. Undated. Thanks for comments on his work, Sends last 3 poetry books, copy of Fraenkel book on way. "Longjaunes" explained includes "The Spanish Dark", In those sent, ambivalent about it. Dora adds her greetings to Howard's to Genya and son.
WILSON, MARK. Young native North Dakotan poet, living in California; formerly a student of McGrath's. Undated. Six poems.
BOREE, JOHN R. Member of St. Cloud State College's English Department. Undated. Informed that McGrath might be available for a poetry reading during St. Cloud's Fine Arts Festival in late February-early March--asks if McGrath available. Would appreciate hearing soon. Long an admirer of McGrath's poetry; surprised to hear an old acquaintance of Dr. Russell. Tentatively sets reading for Feb. 25 and fees. Would also like McGrath to talk to classes on Thursday and Friday. Hopes McGrath feeling better soon and that can attend festival.
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