Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding Aid to the Barbara Christian Papers, 1967-2000
BANC MSS 2003/199c  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Collection Summary
  • Information for Researchers
  • Administrative Information
  • Biographical Information
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Collection Summary

    Collection Title: Barbara Christian papers
    Date (inclusive): 1967-2000
    Collection Number: BANC MSS 2003/199c
    Creators : Christian, Barbara, 1943-2000
    Extent: Number of containers: 12 cartons Linear feet: 15
    Repository: The Bancroft Library
    University of California, Berkeley
    Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
    Phone: (510) 642-6481
    Fax: (510) 642-7589
    Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
    URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
    Abstract: The Barbara Christian Papers, 1967-2000, document Christian's academic career at U.C. Berkeley. The collection is composed mainly of reprinted articles and bibliographies, research and course materials, correspondence, and original manuscripts with notes and related materials. Reprinted articles and research materials include magazine and newspaper articles as well as academic publications. Course materials are in the form of handwritten notes, syllabi and other class handouts. Correspondence includes letters from students, colleagues, and authors including Alice Walker.
    Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
    Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

    Information for Researchers

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
    Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Barbara Christian Papers, BANC MSS 2003/199c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

    Alternate Forms Available

    There are no alternate forms of this collection.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
    Christian, Barbara, 1943-2000
    Faculty papers
    African American women authors--20th century
    Christian, Barbara, 1943- Barbara Christian papers

    Administrative Information

    Acquisition Information

    The Barbara Christian Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Najuma Henderson on January 29, 2002.

    Accruals

    No additions are expected.

    System of Arrangement

    Arranged to the container level.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Lucy Allen in 2007.

    Biographical Information

    Barbara Christian was born on December 12, 1943 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She earned her Ph.D. in English Literature from Columbia University in 1970; a year later, she became an assistant professor at U.C. Berkeley. She was a prominent figure in establishing the African American Studies Department, and in 1978 she became the first African American woman at Berkeley to receive tenure. In 1986, she became a full professor and eventually received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1991. She is best known for Black Feminist Criticism and her study, Black Women Novelists: The Development of a Tradition . She was one of the first academic professors to focus attention on Toni Morrison and Alice Walker, among other black women novelists and writers. She edited portions of the Norton Anthology of African American Literature from the 1970s to the 1990s. The MELUS Award and the American Book Award were among the many honors she received during her lifetime. She taught at U.C. Berkeley from 1972 until her death on June 25, 2000. She is survived by her daughter, Najuma I. Henderson.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Barbara Christian Papers, 1967-2000, document Christian's academic career at U.C. Berkeley. The collection is composed mainly of reprinted articles and bibliographies, research and course materials, original manuscripts with notes and related materials and some correspondence. Reprinted articles and research materials include magazine and newspaper articles as well as academic publications. Course materials are in the form of handwritten notes, syllabi and other class handouts. Correspondence includes letters from students, colleagues, and authors including Alice Walker.
    The collection is arranged according to the order in which it was received. Barbara Christian's Files are divided into older and newer files, and though there is much overlap between the date spans of these two series, they were arranged in this way to preserve the original order. Professional Files are arranged in the order received. Original folder titles were used unless folders were untitled.