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Shields Library is closed through January 1. Requests for books, digitization services, and interlibrary loan will be fulfilled after the new year.

Language and Literature

400 linear feet from 1500 to the present

The personal papers and manuscript collections in this subject category detail the evolution of the written word from an idea into a product. The personal journals, correspondence, manuscript drafts, galley proofs, and financial records of the writers represented in this category give clues to the developing nature of their poetry, essays and books, while the archival records of printing and publishing firms disclose marketing and distribution techniques. Examples of rare and unique writing and printing methods may also be found in this category.

Collections in this subject area are predominantly in English. There are no geographical limitations, although the focus is on American and British literature. For related materials, see collections under the subject headings of Performing Arts and Art and Architecture.

Collections

  • Andersdatter, Karla Margaret Papers

    (D-049)
    Correspondence, poetry, journals, publications, and flyers. Northern California poet and novelist; author of The doorway (1990); The woman who was wild (1989), and The rising of the flesh (1983).
  • Armistead, Samuel G. Papers

    (D-580)
    The collection contains Armistead's office files which include research and teaching materials, unpublished lectures, and correspondence. Also included are ballad materials produced or collected by Armistead and his collaborators in the field. Samuel Gordon Armistead (1927-2013) served as Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California, Davis (1982-2010).
  • Avant Garde Poetry Collection: Ephemera

    (O-030)
    Advertisements for book fairs, poetry readings, and other public events; press releases announcing new books and printing services.
  • Avant Garde Poetry Collection: Posters

    (O-040)
    Graphic announcements of Avant-Garde poetry events.
  • Ayers, C. Papers

    (MC018)
    Several manuscript poems, including The Grove, Evening Thought, The Loss of Friends, and Hope.
  • Barich, Bill Papers

    (D-552)
    Barich's writing journals, manuscripts and published versions of his writings, promotional materials about his works, as well as literary and editorial correspondence. Author of Laughing in the Hills (1980), Traveling Light (1984), Hard to Be Good (1987), Big Dreams: Into the Heart of California (1994), and Carson Valley (1997).
  • Big Little Books Collection

    (D-480)
    Series of small books published by the Whitman Publishing Company. The books consist of stories based on comic strips, radio dramas, and popular fiction.
  • Blanchard, J. Richard Papers

    (D-320)
    Correspondence, memos, meeting minutes, annual reports, committee reports, publications. University Librarian, University of California, Davis (1951-1974).
  • Bly, Robert Collection

    (MC038)
    Four audiotaped radio shows of Bly's lectures. Includes Bly's "Jungian" interpretations of Grimm's fairy tales and readings of his own poetry. Contemporary American poet and writer; works include The light around the body (1967), Talking all morning (1980), and Iron John (1990), among others.
  • Bonner, Michael Papers

    (D-215)
    Outlines, characterizations, typescripts with annotations and revisions, and galleys for four novels, including Kennedy's gold (1960); The iron noose (1961); The shadow of a hawk (1963); and The disturbing death of Jenkin Delaney (1966). Anne Bonner Glasscock, writing under the name Michael Bonner, published four novels of Western fiction from 1960-1966.