Description
A collection of the papers of American
poet Dunstan Thompson (1918-1975), a Catholic who lived in England beginning in the 1940s.
Consists of manuscripts, including book reviews, diaries, essays, plays, poems, and short
stories, and correspondence (both to and from Thompson), photographs, drawings and
ephemera.
Background
Terry Dunstan Thompson (1918-1975) was born in New London, Connecticut, August 30, 1918,
the only son of Terry B. Thompson, a Naval officer, and Virginia Leita Thompson. Raised in a
devout Catholic family, Thompson was educated at a variety of Catholic schools before
entering Harvard in 1936. During his three years at Harvard, Thompson began exploring his
vocation as a writer, especially as a poet; during this time Thompson experienced a loss of
faith and left the Catholic church and, at the same time, began to live openly as a
homosexual.
Extent
4.8 Linear Feet
(12 boxes)
Restrictions
All photocopies, for which the Huntington does not hold the original manuscript or letter,
may not be copied in any way, as noted in the Container List and on the folders.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.