Guy Davenport Papers 1956-1983

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of manuscripts, letters, drawings, and miscellaneous papers, 1956-1983, of American writer Guy Davenport. Letters to Laurence Scott, 1956-1983, discuss Davenport's life and literary endeavors. Topics include teaching at Haverford College and the University of Kentucky; his interest in Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot and Louis Agassiz; his reading; his translations from the Greek; his friends, students and family; and his sexual encounters. Stan Brakhage, Hugh Kenner, Marianne Moore, Eudora Welty, Jonathan Williams, and Louis Zukofsky are mentioned frequently. Several letters are illustrated.

The collection also contains six haiku, 1960-1961, by Davenport, and nine drawings.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased from Glen Horowitz, Bookseller, on 1988 March 8.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in three series. Series I and II, Manuscripts and letters are arranged chronologically; Series III, drawings are arranged alphabetically.

Physical description:
170 items