Michael Davidson Papers
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2023
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Business Number: 858-534-2533
Fax Number: 858-534-5950
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Descriptive Summary
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Michael Davidson Papers
Creator:
Davidson, Michael, 1944-
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0824
Physical Description:
2.6 Linear feet
(7 archives boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1967-2008
Abstract: Correspondence of Michael Davidson, poet, Professor Emeritus of American literature, and first curator of the Archive for
New Poetry at the UC San Diego Library.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection contains Michael Davidson's correspondence, arranged alphabetically. Notable correspondents include Rae Armantrout,
Bill Berkson, Joe Brainard, Fanny Howe, Jerome Rothenberg, and most extensively, Michael Palmer. This collection also contains
letters from Michael Davidson's brother, John Davidson. Additions to this collection may occur in the future.
Biography
Michael Davidson was born on December 18, 1944 in Oakland, California. Davidson attended graduate school at the University
of Buffalo from 1968-1969. Davidson has written eight books of poetry, notably including
The Landing of Rochambeau. He has also created many works of prose and collaborated with other poets, including, Lyn Hejinian, Ron Silliman, and Barrett
Watten. Davidson has also focused on disability issues, authoring many critical works such as
Distressing Language: Disability and the Poetics of Error, and
Invalid Modernism: Disability and the Missing Body of the Aesthetic. Davidson's topics of study include modern poetry, cultural studies, gender studies, and modern American literature. Davidson
also works as a literary theorist and an editor, and edited George Oppen's
New Collected Poems.
Michael Davidson was the first curator of the Archive of New Poetry (ANP) at the UC San Diego Library, Special Collections
& Archives (SC&A). Davidson was the creator of many primary records preserved in the Archive for New Poetry Curator's files
(RSS 1034), also held in SC&A. Davidson began as a post-doctoral appointee in 1974. Two years later he was permanently hired
by the Library to serve as "Associate Research Historian," the official title for the ANP curator. Davidson strongly influenced
the shape and vision of the ANP, encouraging and aiding in the acquisition of a number of its most significant papers and
collections. Throughout most of his term at the library, Davidson also taught in the Department of Literature. In 1985, after
receiving tenure in the Literature Department, he resigned his position at the ANP in order to teach literature full-time.
Preferred Citation
Michael Davidson Papers. MSS 824. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 2020
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Related Materials
UC San Diego. Archive for New Poetry Curator's Correspondence and Subject Files. RSS 1034. Special Collections & Archives,
UC San Diego Library.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Poets, American -- 20th century
Davidson, Michael, 1944- -- Archives
Davidson, Michael, 1944- -- Correspondence
Allen, Donald, 1912-2004 -- Correspondence
Armantrout, Rae, 1947- -- Correspondence
Bernstein, Charles, 1950- -- Correspondence
Brainard, Joe, 1942-1994 -- Correspondence
Bromige, David -- Correspondence
Creeley, Robert, 1926-2005 -- Correspondence
Hejinian, Lyn -- Correspondence
Oppen, George -- Correspondence
Oppen, Mary, 1908-1990 -- Correspondence
Palmer, Michael, 1943- -- Correspondence
Scalapino, Leslie -- Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 1
A - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes a long letter from David Antin.
Box 1, Folder 5
Altieri, Charles
1977-1988
Box 1, Folder 6
Andrews, Bruce
1978-1989
General note
Includes correspondence from Charles Bernstein and Bruce Andrews at L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E.
Box 1, Folder 7
Armantrout, Rae
1975-1987
General note
Includes "The Panoply Of," with revisions, a selection of other poems, and "Why Don't Women do Language-Centered Writing?"
by Rae Armantrout.
Box 1, Folder 8
Armstrong, Nancy
1985-1989
Box 1, Folder 11
Baron, Todd
ca. 1986
General note
Todd Baron edited
Issue, a literary magazine.
Box 1, Folder 13
Baude, Dawn Michelle
ca. 1985
Box 1, Folder 15
Benson, Steve
1978-1981, 1999
Box 1, Folder 17
Bernstein, Charles
1979-1988
General note
Includes an edited copy of "Semblance," written for a special issue of
Reality Studios. Includes a biographical note on Bernstein, written by himself.
Box 1, Folder 18
Berssenbrugge, Mei-Mei
ca. 1983
Box 1, Folder 19
Bertholf, Robert
1968, 1974-1988
General note
Robert Bertholf was the curator of the Poetry Archive at Buffalo. Includes a copy of Bertholf's piece on Michael Davidson's
book,
The Mutabilities & The Foul Papers. Includes promotional material for the magazine,
Credences. Includes photocopies of Bertholf's correspondence with other recipients.
Box 1, Folder 20
Birchard, Guy
1979, 1986-1987
General note
Includes three pamphlets with poems by Guy Birchard.
Box 1, Folder 21
Blaisdell, Gus
1977, 1985
Box 1, Folder 22
Blau DuPlessis, Rachel
1984-1989
Box 1, Folder 24
Boughn, Mike
1984-1985
General note
Includes
Some Initial Considerations of William Carlos Williams and the New Prosody, with some handwritten edits.
Box 2, Folder 2
Brito, Manuel
1985-1990, 1999-2001
Box 2, Folder 3
Bromige, David
1985-1988
General note
Includes poetry and a flyer for a poetry reading.
Box 2, Folder 5
Burnett, Gary and Kathy
1978-1986
General note
Includes poetry by Gary Burnett.
Box 2, Folder 6
Burnside, Madeleine
1976-1982
Box 2, Folder 7
Butterick, George
1974-1984
Box 2, Folder 10
Campbell, Bruce
1986-1989
Box 2, Folder 13
Coolidge, Clark
1984-1985
Box 2, Folder 14
Corbett, Bill
1982-1988, 2004
Box 2, Folder 15
Creeley, Robert
1972-1988
Box 2, Folder 16
Cuddihy, Michael
1980-1985
General note
Cuddihy was the creator of
Ironwood Magazine.
Box 2, Folder 17
D - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes one piece of correspondence from Robert Duncan.
Box 2, Folder 19
Darras, Jacques
1981-1989
Box 2, Folder 20
Davidson, John
between 1975 and 1990
General note
John Davidson is Michael Davidson's brother.
Box 2, Folder 21
Davidson, Robert and Mildred
1983
General note
Michael Davidson's parents.
Box 2, Folder 22
Davis, Lydia
1981-1988, 2004
General note
Includes "She Says and What you Learn" by Lydia Davis. Includes correspondence to Dr. Pearce about the University of California,
San Diego writing program.
Box 2, Folder 25
Duke University Press - Joanne Ferguson
1983-1984
General note
Discusses an anthology of women poets planned by George Butterick.
Box 2, Folder 26
Drucker, Johanna
1986, 1988
Box 2, Folder 28
Einzig, Barbara
1977-1987
General note
Includes a course proposal focusing on Gertrude Stein and William Carlos Williams.
Box 3, Folder 1
Ellingham, Lew
1982-1988
General note
Includes correspondence from Robert Bertholf concerning
Credences.
Box 3, Folder 2
Elmslie, Kenward
1985-1986
Box 3, Folder 3
Enemark, Brett
1975-1978
General note
Includes discussion of literary journals,
Iron and
Coyote.
Box 3, Folder 4
Eshleman, Clayton
1973-1990, 2000
Box 3, Folder 6
Federman, Raymond
1983, 1987
Box 3, Folder 8
Forche, Carolyn
1977, 1987
Box 3, Folder 9
Fourcade, Dominique
1986, 2000-2008
Box 3, Folder 10
Fraser, Kathleen
1979-1989
General note
Includes poetry and writings by Fraser; Trevignana, Puccini, Gabriela, Green and Blue piece for Francie, Spring, and Lily,
Lois, Flaubert: The Site of Loss. Also includes a book proposal for
The Innovative Tradition in Feminist Poetics and Practice.
Box 3, Folder 11
Fredman, Steve
1974-1988
General note
Includes poetry by Fredman.
Box 3, Folder 12
Freilicher, Melvyn
ca. 1983-1984
Box 3, Folder 13
G - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes information on an anthology of Language Poetry to be edited by Douglas Messerli.
Box 3, Folder 14
Gaynor, Christopher
1978, 1984
Box 3, Folder 16
Gluck, Robert
1986, 1990, 1999
Box 3, Folder 17
Golding, Alan
1983-1988, 1999
General note
Includes a copy of
The Landing of Rochambeau, by Michael Davidson, with notes entitled "Cancellations for Stephen McAdams," by an unknown author.
Box 3, Folder 19
Grahn, Judy
1985
General note
Includes correspondence with Grahn's agent, Kris Bradenburger.
Box 3, Folder 20
Gregory, Robert
ca. 1988-1990
Box 3, Folder 21
Grenier, Robert
1986-1989
Box 3, Folder 22
Grossinger, Richard
1975, 1981-1983
Box 3, Folder 23
H - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes correspondence from Anselm Hollo.
Box 3, Folder 24
Hall, Joan Joffe
1975-1979
General note
Includes many poems by Hall.
Box 3, Folder 25
Hannan, Jack - Mansfield Book Mart
1978-1980
Box 3, Folder 26
Hartnett, Stephen
1988-1989
Box 3, Folder 28
Hatlen, Barton
1982-1985
General note
Hatlen was the executive editor of
Sagetrieb.
Box 3, Folder 29
Hejinian, Lyn
1981-1999
General note
Includes ephemera and untitled poems.
Box 3, Folder 30
Hemensley, Kris
1974-1975
Box 4, Folder 1
Hicks, Andrea
1977-1978
General note
Includes a performance flyer.
Box 4, Folder 2
Hocquard, Emmanuel
1985-1990
General note
Includes a proposal for a Center of French and American contemporary poetry.
Box 4, Folder 3
Holzer, Burghild
1980, 1983
Box 4, Folder 4
Hough, Lindy
1974-1976, 1981
General note
Includes "In the Settlement of the Golden Boy," a birthday poem for Michael Davidson.
Box 4, Folder 5
Howe, Fanny
1984-1990
General note
Includes "Eva Nova," a poem and ephemera.
Box 4, Folder 9
Jabe̒s, Edmond and Arlette
1983-1984
Box 4, Folder 10
Jaffe, Sherril and Hal
1973-1989
General note
Includes the works "Nobody's Business," and "My Baby."
Box 4, Folder 12
Jenkins, Margaret
1976-1977
Box 4, Folder 13
Jones, Danell
1982-1984
General note
Includes the work, "The Theoretical Paths of Lovers," by Danell Jones.
Box 4, Folder 14
Jones, David
1980-1981, 1990
Box 4, Folder 15
Joris, Pierre
ca. 1984-1989
Box 4, Folder 17
Kodolanyi, Gyula
1984
General note
Includes works by Kodolanyi and biographical information.
Box 4, Folder 20
LaPalma, Maria
1981-1986
General note
Includes the work "Glitches," by Maria LaPalma.
Box 4, Folder 21
Lenhart, Gary - St. Mark's
1981-1982
Box 4, Folder 22
Loewinsohn, Ron
1968-1993
General note
Includes correspondence written to Loewinsohn by Davidson.
Box 4, Folder 26
MacCormack, Karen
1988-1989
Box 4, Folder 28
Marshall, Jack
1975, 1986
Box 4, Folder 29
Martin, John - Black Sparrow Press
1976-1989
Box 5, Folder 1
Mayer, Bernadette
1981-1982
Box 5, Folder 2
McCaffery, Steve
1978-1999
Box 5, Folder 3
McClain, Scott
ca. 1981-1983
General note
Includes poetry written for Michael McClure and Michael Davidson.
Box 5, Folder 4
McClure, Michael
ca. 1970-1980
Box 5, Folder 5
McNaughton, Duncan
1975-1985
Box 5, Folder 6
Messerli, Douglas
1976-1988
Box 5, Folder 8
Miller, Chuck - Bear Hug Books
1977-1978
Box 5, Folder 9
N - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes brief correspondence with New College San Francisco.
Box 5, Folder 11
Nicholls, Peter
1988-1990, 2003
Box 5, Folder 13
Olea, Hector
1986-1987
General note
Discusses a gift of Olea's work to the Archive for New Poetry.
Box 5, Folder 14
Oppen, George and Mary
1978, 1986
Box 5, Folder 18-19
Palmer, Michael
1973-1987, 2000
Box 5, Folder 20
Parkinson, Tom
1985
General note
Concerns Robert Duncan receiving the National Poetry Award.
Box 5, Folder 21
Paul, Sherman
1980, 1985-1986
Box 5, Folder 24
Perloff, Marjorie
1979-1987, 2000-2001
Box 5, Folder 25
Peters, Robert
1978-1983
General note
Includes ephemera. Includes notes about a performance of "Ludwig," with Robert Peters, directed by Paul Vangelisti.
Box 5, Folder 26
Phillips, Dennis
1981-1990
Box 5, Folder 27
Phillips, Francis - The Poetry Center at San Francisco State
1985
Box 5, Folder 28
Powell, Jim - Occident
1979-1980
Box 5, Folder 30
Quartermain, Peter
1987, 2002-2005
Box 5, Folder 31
Quinn, Sister Bernetta
1982-1987
Box 5, Folder 34
Rasula, Ted
1976-1978, 1988
Box 6, Folder 1
Ratcliffe, Stephen
1985-1989, 1992, 1999-2001
Box 6, Folder 2
Raworth, Tom
1983-1985, 2000
Box 6, Folder 6
Rodefer, Stephen
1982-1990
Box 6, Folder 8
Rothenberg, Jerome and Diane
1982-1986
Box 6, Folder 9
Royet-Journoud, Claude
1984-1990, 2004
Box 6, Folder 10
S - Miscellaneous
General note
Includes brief correspondence from Gary Snyder.
Box 6, Folder 11
Scalapino, Leslie
1976-1988
General note
Includes "Reversed Songs," by Scalapino and an Open Letter of Protest to Marjorie Perloff written by Tina Darragh.
Box 6, Folder 12
Schenk, Brigitte
1980-1985
Box 6, Folder 15
Shevelow, Kathryn
ca. 1981-1983
Box 6, Folder 16
Shoemaker, Jack
1973-1978, 1985
Box 6, Folder 17
Silberman, Alex
1972-1981
General note
Includes "Burnt Hair in Contingency and Flagellation: A Proverb."
Box 6, Folder 19
Sobin, Gustaf
1989, 2000-2002
Box 6, Folder 20
Spanos, William
1975-1978
Box 6, Folder 21
Sternbach, David
1983-1989
Box 6, Folder 22
Sukenick, Ronald and Lynn
1978-1983
Box 6, Folder 25
Tarn, Nathaniel
1978-1982, 2000-2002
Box 6, Folder 26
Terrell, Carroll -
Paideuma
1982-1984
Box 6, Folder 27
Thorne, Joan
1975-1986
General note
Includes poetry.
Box 6, Folder 28
University of California Press
1982-1987
Box 7, Folder 1
Von Hallberg, Robert
1979, 1982
Box 7, Folder 3
Wakoski, Diane
1976-1977, 1984-1990
Box 7, Folder 5
Waldrop, Rosemarie and Keith
1978-1988, 1999
Box 7, Folder 7
Weinberger, Eliot
1984-1988
Box 7, Folder 8
Wellman, Don - O.ARS
1981
General note
Includes works by Wellman.
Box 7, Folder 9
Wesling, Donald
1975-1989
Box 7, Folder 10
Williams, Jonathan
1982, 1985
Box 7, Folder 11
Woodward, Kathleen
1974-1986
Box 7, Folder 14
Young, Geoff
1977-1988, 2000