Edna Anderson Collection of Poems and Papers
MS.2016.001
Christina Cartney
Special Collections and Archives
2016
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: Edna Anderson Collection of Poems and Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2016.001
Physical Description:
10.08 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1900-1972
Abstract: Edna Anderson began her teaching career
after high school in 1911. Anderson taught at country schools in Montana from 1911-1914,
saving her salary to attend college. During this time there was no government aid.
Nevertheless, Anderson worked hard and attended The University of California, Berkeley. In
1918, Anderson graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree, and an Honors in English. In
1922, she received her Master of Arts in English. After graduation Anderson taught high
school in Washington, California, and Hawaii. In 1929, she became a charter member of the
Los Angeles City College faculty and an Associate Professor of English. Anderson was loved
by both her students and colleagues. Due to her devotion to public education her students
went on to become professional teachers, writers, dramatists, and script writers. Anderson
remained with Los Angeles City College until her retirement in 1960. After retirement
Anderson focused on her writing. However, her love for writing began as a young girl growing
up in Helena, Montana. In high school she wrote for her school paper The Nugget, and in
college she served on the Occident Magazine staff. During retirement Anderson focused her
attention to her love of Nature. She wrote poems depicting the beauty of Nature and sent
them to her family, friends, former students, and associates, always signed, "With love,
E.A." Edna Anderson passed away January 9, 1972.
Language of Material:
English .
Conditions Governing Use
The Edna Anderson Collection of Poems and Papers is the physical property of California
State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and
Archives.
Preferred Citation
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special Collections and
Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles
Biographical / Historical
Edna Anderson began her teaching career after high school in 1911. Anderson taught at
country schools in Montana from 1911-1914, saving her salary to attend college. During this
time there was no government aid. Nevertheless, Anderson worked hard and attended The
University of California, Berkeley. In 1918, Anderson graduated with her Bachelor of Arts
degree, and an Honors in English. In 1922, she received her Master of Arts in English.
After graduation Anderson taught high school in Washington, California, and Hawaii. In
1929, she became a charter member of the Los Angeles City College faculty and an Associate
Professor of English. Anderson was loved by both her students and colleagues. Due to her
devotion to public education her students went on to become professional teachers, writers,
dramatists, and script writers. Anderson remained with Los Angeles City College until her
retirement in 1960.
Scope and Contents
The materials in this collection were created from 1926-1972. The bulk of the collection
consists of the writings and publications of Edna Anderson. The writings and publications
consist of poetry, short stories, and a novel. Included in this collection are the
correspondences between Edna Anderson and her family and friends. Also included within the
collection are biographical documents and newspaper clippings that pertain to Edna
Anderson's education and interests. The materials in this collection also included
photographs, and an interview with Edna Anderson.
Series I: Writings Inclusive Dates: 1935-1971 Arrangement: Alphabetical and there under
chronological This large series consists of five subseries: a: Edna Anderson's Poems,
1956-1971; b: Collaborations, 1954-1957; c: Miscellaneous Poems, u.d.; d: Notes, 1935-1971;
and e: Manuscripts, 1957-1971. Included within this series are the hand-written original
poems of Edna Anderson, and her edited versions. The poems display Edna Anderson's love of
nature, and her comprehensive knowledge of rhetorical devices that give depth, and variety
to her poetry. Included in this series are the personal notes of Edna Anderson from her days
as a college student. Also within this series are the manuscripts of Edna Anderson's
unpublished autobiography documenting her life and love of her home, Montana.
Series II: Published Works Inclusive Dates: 1926-1971 Arrangement: Alphabetical and there
under chronological
This large series consists of four subseries: a: Pamphlet, 1959; b: Novel, 1961; c: Poetry
Collection, 1964; and d: Literary Journals, 1926-1971. Included within this series is the
novel, Strange Affection, which was published in 1961. Most noteworthy magazines/journals
are The Lyric, College English, and Statement. The Lyric is the oldest magazine in North
America that is focused on traditional poetry, and in its founding year poems by Emily
Dickenson and Aline Kilmer were published. College English is a professional journal focused
on the publication of articles related to the field of teaching English. Statement is a
magazine focused on literature and art that is affiliated with Cal State LA. Also noteworthy
is that while attending high school Edna Anderson published a short story in Western Story
Magazine. This magazine was founded in 1919 and was the first all-western pulp publication
focused on wholesome stories of living in the West.
Series III: Correspondence Inclusive Dates: 1939-1972 Arrangement: Alphabetical and there
under chronological
This large series consists of five subseries: a: Correspondence from Edna Anderson,
1940-1972; b: Correspondence to Edna Anderson, 1963; c: Postcards and Holiday Cards to Edna
Anderson, 1939-1971; d: Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1971; and e: Publication Inquiries,
1964-1973. Included within this series are the correspondence between Edna Anderson and her
sister Geneva Ford. These letters convey the close bond that the sisters had with one
another. Included within many of these letters are copies of Edna Anderson's poems that she
sent to her family and close friends. This series also includes postcards Edna Anderson sent
to her family and friends from her various travels of the United States. Also included in
this series are the correspondence between Edna Anderson and magazine editors.
Series IV: Biographical Information Inclusive Dates: 1925-1972 Arrangement: Alphabetical
and there under chronological
This small series consists of three subseries: a: Biographical Documents, 1925-1972; b:
Oversize Biographical Documents, 1918-1922; and c: Ephemera, 1943-1971. Included in this
section is Edna Anderson's life sketch of her mother, Mary Johnson. Also included in this
series is a data sheet depicting dates of importance in regards to Edna Anderson. This
series also includes Edna Anderson's Bachelor and Master of Arts in English. Also included
in this series is Corinne Benson's Requiem, who was Edna Anderson's friend and
colleague.
Series V: Newspaper Clippings Inclusive Dates: 1913-1958 Arrangement: Chronological and
there under size
This small series includes newspaper clippings that Edna Anderson collected from 1913-1958.
Included in this series is an article written by Edna Anderson's sister Geneva regarding the
understanding and appreciation of music and poetry. Also included in this series is an
article regarding Edna Anderson's description of the poet's creative process.
Series VI: Photographs Inclusive Dates: 1900-1962 Arrangement: Size and thereunder
chronological
This small series includes photographs of Edna Anderson from 1900-1962. Included in this
series are photographs of Edna Anderson as a small girl, young adult, woman, and retiree.
Also included in this series are photographs of Edna Anderson's hometown of Helena,
Montana.
Series VII: Audio/Visual Inclusive Dates: 1970 Arrangement: Size
This small series includes an interview with Edna Anderson in 1970.
Writings Series I
1935-1971
Language of Material: English.
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1956-1971 Subseries a
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1956-1963
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1964
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1965
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1966-1968
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, 1969-1971
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, u.d.
box 1
Edna Anderson's Poems, u.d.
Collaborations, 1954-1957 Subseries b
box 1
Collaborations, 1954-1957
Miscellaneous Poems, u.d. Subseries c
Notes, 1935-1971 Subseries d
Manuscripts, 1957-1971 Subseries e
box 2
Black, Black Is The Color of My True Love's Hair, u.d.
box 2
Black, Black Is The Color of My True Love's Hair, u.d.
box 2
Field of Glass Volume One, compiled by Helen Shanley, 1963-1971
box 3
Field of Glass Volume Two, compiled by Helen Shanley, 1957-1971
box 3
My Montana An Autobiography, u.d.
box 3
My Montana An Autobiography, u.d
box 3
My Montana An Autobiography, u.d
box 3
My Montana An Autobiography, u.d
box 3
My Montana An Autobiography, u.d
box 4
Prose Works (Unpublished), u.d.
Published Works Series II
1926-1971
Language of Material: English.
Pamphlet, 1959 Subseries a
box 4
The Anticipatory Way: A Letter to Thomas Mann, 1959
Poetry Collection, 1964 Subseries c
box 4
To Life, Bright Enemy, 1964
Literary Journals, 1926-1971 Subseries d
box 5
College English, 1940-1941
box 5
College English, 1942, 1953
box 5
Epos: A Quarterly of Poetry, 1958
box 6
Southern California Lit Scene, 1971
box 6
Western Story Magazine, 1926
Correspondence Series III
1939-1972
Language of Material: English.
Correspondence from Edna Anderson, 1940-1972 Subseries a
box 6
Correspondence to Folks, 1963
box 6
Correspondence to Mrs. Geneva Ford, 1940-1969
box 6
Correspondence to Mrs. Helen Shanley, 1971-1972
box 6
Correspondence to Mrs. Iris Dean, 1968-1970
box 6
Correspondence to Miss Maria Hellborn, 1957-1971
box 6
Correspondence to Mary, 1963-1964
box 6
Correspondence to Susie, 1969
Correspondence to Edna Anderson, 1963 Subseries b
box 6
Correspondence to Edna Anderson, 1963
Postcards and Holiday cards, 1939-1971 Subseries c
box 7
Postcards and Holiday Cards to Edna Anderson, 1939-1971
box 7
Postcards and Holiday Cards to Mrs. Geneva Ford, 1946-1962
box 7
Postcards and Holiday Cards to Miss Maria Hellborn, 1962-1971
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1971 Subseries d
box 7
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1971
Publication Inquiries, 1964-1973 Subseries e
box 7
Publication Inquiries, 1964-1973
Biographical Information Series IV
1925-1972
Language of Material: English.
Biographical Information, 1925-1972 Subseries a
box 7
Biographical Documents, 1925-1972
Oversize Biographical Documents, 1918-1922 Subseries b
box 8
Certificate of Honors, 1918
box 8
University of California Degree of Bachelor of Arts, 1918
box 8
University of California Degree of Masters of Arts, 1922
Ephemera, 1943-1971 Subseries c
Newspaper Clippings Series V
1913-1958
Language of Material: English.
box 9
Newspaper Clippings, 1913-1958
Photographs Series VI
1900-1962
Language of Material: English.
Audio/Visual Series VII
1970
Language of Material: English.
box 9
Cassette tape recording Interview with Miss Edna Anderson, 1970
box 9
Reel-to-reel audio tape recording Interview with Miss Edna Anderson, 1970
box 9
Reel-to-reel audio tape recording Interview with Miss Edna Anderson,
1970
