Collection Guide
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Smith (David) Collection of Diane Wakoski Materials
MSS 0687
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: David Smith Collection of Diane Wakoski Materials
Creator:
Smith, David R. (David Rodman), 1923-
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0687
Physical Description:
1.8 Linear feet
(4 archives boxes, 1 card file box)
Date (inclusive): 1950-2007
Abstract: The David Smith Collection of Diane Wakoski Materials is comprised mainly of Smith's unpublished manuscript on Wakoski's writings.
The collection spans from 1950, when Smith and Wakoski began corresponding, to 2007.
The film and audiocassettes in Series 4: FILM & AUDIO RECORDINGS are restricted. Patrons must request, from the Director of
Special Collections & Archives, that user copies be produced.
Acquired 2007.
David Smith Collection of Diane Wakoski Materials, MSS 687. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Born in 1923, David Smith served in the Marine Corps from 1942-1946. He went on to earn his BA from Pomona College (1944)
and his MA (1950) and PhD (1960) from Claremont Graduate School. Smith joined the faculty at Caltech, where he taught for
more than three decades. It was there that Smith met Diane Wakoski, as Wakoski served as the poet in resident at Caltech.
During the course of their acquaintance, David Smith & his wife Annette corresponded with Wakoski, exchanging her work and
information for a book Smith was writing on Wakoski.
David Smith started to write an extensive analysis of Diane Wakoski's work before he passed away in 1990. Smith analyzed and
compared Wakoski's poems to her life experiences, through compiling correspondence and interviews he and others had with her.
The manuscript was unpublished at the time of Smith's death.
Scope and Content of Collection
The David Smith Collection of Diane Wakoski Materials consists mainly of writings and manuscripts by Smith and his collection
of material on and by Diane Wakoski. It also includes some correspondence.
Arranged in four series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) WRITINGS BY SMITH, 3) DIANE WAKOSKI, and 4) FILM & AUDIO RECORDINGS
SERIES 1: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series is mainly correspondence between the Smith's and Wakoski. It is arranged in two subseries: A) Letters
from Wakoski to David & Annette Smith, and B) Letters from Wakoski to Clayton & Caryl Eshleman.
A) The Letters from Wakoski to David & Annette Smith are arranged chronologically from 1950 to 2007. They are letters describing
moves Wakoski was making or answers to inquiries from Smith regarding his manuscript. Wakoski continues to correspond with
Annette Smith after David's death in 1990, discussing daily life, heath, and current events.
B) The Letters from Wakoski to Clayton & Caryl Eshleman is comprised of photocopies of letters to Clayton and Caryl Eshleman.
Letters are arranged in chronological order from 1973 through 1988 and include personal correspondence as well as professional
publishing information.
SERIES 2: WRITINGS BY SMITH
The WRITINGS BY SMITH series contains chiefly Smith's manuscript on Wakoski, but includes other short works, including commentaries
on the writings of other authors. It is arranged in two subseries: A) Unpublished Manuscript on Wakoski and B) Other Works.
A) The Unpublished Manuscript on Wakoski subseries is arranged by chapter. Smith had done extensive research regarding the
psychology of Wakoski's works and compiled his findings.
B) The Other Works subseries contains reviews and short articles written by Smith.
SERIES 3: DIANE WAKOSKI
The DIANE WAKOSKI series is a collection of Smith's materials on Wakoski and other information she may have sent him. It
is arranged in three subseries: A) Biographical Material, B) Published Works and C) Miscellaneous.
A) The Biographical Material subseries contains Wakoski's vita and information for an advisory board she was on in 1970.
B) The Published Works subseries is photocopies and some original drafts of Wakoski's poems, including
The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems (1971) and
Inside the Blood Factory (1968).
C) The Miscellaneous subseries includes interviews with Wakoski and reviews by others of Wakoski's work.
SERIES 4: FILM & AUDIO RECORDINGS
The last series, FILM & AUDIO RECORDINGS, contains a film entitled "George Washington Sleeps Here," as well as an interview
with Wakoski regarding
Inside the Blood Factory, recorded on nine cassette tapes. The contents of this series are restricted. Patrons wishing to view the film or listen
to the audio cassettes must request user copies be produced.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women poets, American
American poetry -- 20th century
Wakoski, Diane -- Archives