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Robert O. Bowen Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS Group 013

Scope and Content

The Bowen Papers consist of correspondence and manuscripts of Bowen's writings. The manuscripts include Bowen's published novels, The Weight of the Cross, Bamboo, Sidestreet, and The Truth about Communism, and several unpublished works, as well as of short stories, poems, dramatic works, articles and essays and of miscellaneous material, such as notes for speeches. Contains some material for a campaign against Dallas, Texas, merchants selling goods made in Communist countries, and other materials.

The correspondence consists of academic, literary, and personal correspondence from 1949 to 1967. The bulk of the correspondence is letters received by him, but carbon copies are included for much of his academic and literary correspondence. There are few copies of his personal correspondence. The literary correspondence includes many letters with Alfred A. Knopf, inc., and other publishers, agent Sterling Lord, journal editors, and other people involved with Bowen's book and periodical publications, including Edward Keating, founder and editor of Ramparts, of which Bowen was an associate editor for a short time.

There is also substantial correspondence with personnel at the universities where Bowen taught and other places where he considered employment. His dispute with Leslie A. Fiedler and others at Montana State University, which received national publicity, is aired in both his professional correspondence and in personal correspondence with many of his friends. Some of the personal correspondence received in the early sixties is representative of right-wing political opinion of the period. He maintained a correspondence with several former students throughout the entire span covered. Notable among these are letters from CKG [Charlotte Kelly Gafford] and Cleo [Bordwell]. Other frequent correspondents include writers James B. Hall, Gene Baro, Hudson Strode, Borden Deal, and Ray B. West, his wife Mildred Bowden, Irina Kozhevnikova, editor of Soviet Woman, and Canadian poet Earle Birney.

Dates

  • Creation: 1948-1967

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Professor, author, poet, and editor. Held faculty positions at several universities including the University of Alabama, Montana State University, University of Washington, University of Santa Clara, University of Dallas, and Alaska Methodist University. Author of several novels and works of non-fiction, and edited several journals, including the Dallas Review and the Alaska Review. Served in the United States Navy and was a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II.

Extent

9 Linear feet (18 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Manuscripts and correspondence of Robert O. Bowen, an author and professor of creative writing.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

Gift of Robert O. Bowen.

Title
A Guide to the Robert O. Bowen Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Dept. Staff
Date
December 2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755