Prudence Gearey Sand Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 230

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Prudence Gearey Sand Papers consist, for the most part, of poetry. The collection also contains a few essays by her, a collection of sayings and epigrams by her and others, a small collection of lists that she compiled and a small collection of correspondence. The poetry deals with various topics. There are descriptions of sunrises and of seasons. There are considerations of nature, wisdom, the soul and brotherhood. Some of the poems are very personal, talking about frustrations with other people, her relationship with her mother, and the pain of unrequited love. Mrs. Sand did complete multiple versions of some poems and these poems deal with topics like the nature of life on earth from a rather cosmic perspective, the circumstance of a poor artistic couple, and the changes that the contemplation of nature can bring about. The collection has been organized into six series: Dated Poetry, Undated Poetry, Poetry Versions, Essays and Epigrams, and Lists and Correspondence. The Dated Poetry Series contains poems that are dated and poems that are identified as “age 9” or “age 13”. The poems are placed in chronological order taking into account the dates on some poems and the designation of age on others. Some of the poems are titled and some are untitled. Some of these poems have editorial changes but most appear to be finished products. The Undated Poetry Series contains poems that are undated. A few of these poems are handwritten but most are typed. These poems, with a few exceptions, are without any editorial changes. Only single versions of these poems were found in the collection. Of note is a pencil drawing of a garden with a poem in ink at the bottom. Her name Prudence Gearey is printed on the bottom right corner. The Poetry Versions Series contains various versions of Mrs. Sand’s poems. This series gives researchers a look into Prudence’s creative process. Researchers can follow the evolution of poems as they change through the various versions. These poems are not dated and therefore the sequence of the various versions of these poems is not clear but whenever possible the versions appear in the order in which they were found in the collection. Poems which have many versions, one has over 100 versions, have been placed in individual folders while the rest, which have typically ten or less versions, have been placed in folders as space in those folders permits. The Essays and Epigrams Series contains short writing by Mrs. Sand and short writing by others that Prudence collected. The writings by Mrs. Sand are for the most part undated and less than a paragraph long, though one essay, which begins, “Religion cannot be viewed from a narrow perspective…” is over five pages long. Some writings are credited to other authors but most are untitled, undated with no author listed. The essays and epigrams cover a wide range of topics. The Lists Series contains various lists that Mrs. Sand put together. There are lists of words, lists of writers, lists of writers followed by specific books that they wrote and even a list of important religious leaders. Some lists are titled while some lists have seemingly no theme at all. The Correspondence Series contains letters, both incoming and outgoing. There are many letters between Mrs. Sand and the National League of American Pen Women. Many of the letters are concerned with her efforts to have October 15 designated as Poetry Day in North Dakota. There are also several letters of a personal nature.

Dates

1948-1955.

Creator

Sand, Prudence Gearey, 1908-1984. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

Biography

Prudence Gearey Sand was born October 16, 1908. Her father was Hamilton Wells Gearey, one time mayor of Fargo, and her mother Alice Adelia (Brown) Gearey. After graduating from Central High in Fargo she attended St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul, Minnesota, Columbia University in New York City, and Stanford University in Berkeley, California. She received a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from York University in London, Ontario. She also received a master’s degree in comparative literature from the University of Minnesota. She worked as both a poet and editor. She had a long time association with the National League of American Pen Women. She held several offices in the NLAPW including State President, (1948-1950), North Central District Chairman, (1950-1952), and member of the National Advisory Council (19521954). She served as the first state chairman of the North Dakota National Poetry Day Commission after her successful efforts to have North Dakota designate October 15 as the State Poetry Day. Her poetry was published in various periodicals including The New Yorker and Atlantic Monthly. She was the winner of many national poetry prizes. Her chapbook, Stackers of Wheat, which was co-authored with Richard Lyons, was published in 1951. She married Dr. Olaf Sand in May 1947. Dr. Sand died in 1955 and she died on January 3, 1984.

Extent

.6 Linear Feet (.6 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Fargo native with long time association with the National League of American Pen Women. The Prudence Gearey Sand Papers consist, for the most part, of her poetry. The collection also contains a few essays by her, a collection of sayings and epigrams by her and others, a small collection of lists that she compiled and a small collection of correspondence. The poetry deals with various topics. There are descriptions of sunrises and of seasons. There are considerations of nature, wisdom, the soul and brotherhood. Some of the poems are very personal, talking about frustrations with other people, her relationship with her mother, and the pain of unrequited love. Mrs. Sand did complete multiple versions of some poems and these poems deal with topics like the nature of life on earth from a rather cosmic perspective, the circumstance of a poor artistic couple, and the changes that the contemplation of nature can bring about.