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Winslow (Pete) Papers
BASC 8
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Title: Pete Winslow Papers
Date (inclusive): 1934-1994
Identifier/Call Number: BASC 8
Creator:
Winslow, Pete
Physical Description:
5 cartons, 3 document cases
(6.5 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
Book Arts & Special Collections
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection contains the personal records, correspondence, manuscripts, published works, photographs, and audio recordings
of Pete Winslow, a surrealist poet associated with the Beat Generation. The collection also contains publications about him
as well as the works of other writers who influenced or befriended him.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Collection is open for research and is available for use during Book Arts & Special Collections hours, with photographs available
during Photo Desk hours. Researchers may listen to the CD copies of audio recordings.
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Francisco Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
materials must be submitted in writing to Book Arts & Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of
the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item/Title of folder], Pete Winslow Papers (BASC 8), Book Arts & Special Collections, San Francisco Public
Library.
The Pete Winslow Papers were donated to San Francisco Public Library by Jane Winslow in March 1994
Dean H. (Pete) Winslow, Jr. (1934-1972) was a journalist and surrealist poet associated with the Beat Generation. Best known
for his poetry, he also wrote essays, short stories, and novels. A Seattle native, he graduated from the University of Washington
with a degree in journalism in 1956 and then another in English in 1958. He wrote for various newspapers in Washington and
California from 1956 up until his death in 1972, starting at the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
and ending at the
Livermore Independent
. He had also served in the U.S. Army reserve from 1956 to 1966 and worked for the Parks Job Corps Center from 1965 to 1967.
Inspired by writers such as Allen Ginsberg and Philip Lamantia, Winslow turned to surrealism and produced many poems. He first
lived in San Francisco from December 1958 to March 1959 and then moved again to the Bay Area shortly after, where he became
involved with the literary scene of San Francisco's North Beach. He did readings and published several books of poetry:
Whatever Happened to Pete Winslow?
(1960),
The Rapist and Other Poems
(1962),
Monster Cookies
(1967),
Mummy Tapes
(1971), and
A Daisy in the Memory of a Shark
(1973). In 1967, he received a grant for a novel from the National Endowment for the Arts. He died at the age of 38 from complications
following surgery. He was married to Jane Winslow and had a son, Peter Winslow, who died in a car accident in 1993.
The collection consists of Pete Winslow's writings including letters, notes, manuscripts, and published works as well as photographs
and audio recordings. The collection additionally contains articles written about him and his works as well as the works of
other writers who influenced or befriended him. Also included are his widow Jane Winslow's correspondence and poetry-related
publications produced after his death.
The collection is organized into the following 8 series: Series 1. Personal papers, Series 2. Correspondence, Series 3. Manuscripts,
Series 4. Published works, Series 5. Publications about Pete Winslow and his work, Series 6. Writings by others (friends and
influences), Series 7. Photographs, and Series 8. Audio recordings.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American poetry -- 20th century.
American poetry -- California -- San Francisco
Beats (Persons) -- Poetry
Beats (Persons) -- California -- San Francisco
North Beach (San Francisco, Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Literary collections
Surrealism -- Poetry