Inventory of the Celeste Turner Wright Papers

Sara Gunasekara
Department of Special Collections
General Library
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616-5292
Phone: (530) 752-1621
Fax: (530) 754-5758
Email: speccoll@ucdavis.edu
© 2010
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.


Creator: Wright, Celeste Turner
Title: Celeste Turner Wright Papers
Date (inclusive): 1921-1994
Extent: 6 linear feet
Abstract: Celeste Turner Wright (1906-1999) served as Professor of English at the University of California, Davis from 1928-1979. She authored Etruscan Princess (1964), Inscription Rock (1963) and Seasoned Timber (1977). The majority of the collection consists of Wright's works, specifically her poems published in journals. Also included are manuscripts of several works as well as a small amount of correspondence.
Physical location: Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Repository: University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special Collections.
Davis, California 95616-5292
Collection number: D-161
Language of Material: Collection materials in English.

Biography

Celeste Turner Wright was born in New Brunswick, Canada on March 17, 1906 and moved with her family to Pasadena, California in 1918. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles and earned a master's degree and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Wright, who came to the University Farm (now the University of California, Davis) in 1928, chaired the Division of English (1928-1934), the Division of Languages and Literature (1934-1952), and the Department of English, Dramatic Art and Speech (1952-1955). During that time she also taught English, Latin, German, and drama. She retired in 1979.
Professor Wright achieved many firsts during her time at Davis: she was the first woman with a Ph.D. to become a faculty member, the first woman to be tenured, the first drama instructor, and the first humanities professor to be honored as Faculty Research Lecturer.
In addition to publishing many individual poems in poetry journals, she also published three books of her own poetry, Etruscan Princess and Other Poems (1964), A Sense of Place (1973), and Seasoned Timber (1977).
The UC Davis Dramatic Arts Building was named Celeste Turner Wright Hall on October 9, 1997. Wright passed away on September 16, 1999.
Source:
Morris, Linda, Hays, Peter, and Osborn, Marijane. "Celeste Turner Wright." In Memoriam. [Berkeley, Calif.: Academic Senate], 1999.

Scope and Content

The majority of the collection consists of Celeste Turner Wright's works, specifically her poems published in journals. Also included are manuscripts of several works as well as a small amount of correspondence.

Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is arranged in four series: 1. About Celeste Turner Wright and Her Works, 2. Works, 3. Correspondence, 4. Works by Others.

Related Materials

Special Collections also holds the following works by Celeste Turner Wright: The Amazons in Elizabethan Literature, Etruscan Princess: and Other Poems, First Resort: a Memoir, History of the Department of English, Davis, 1908-September 1966, Inscription Rock and Other Poems, Seasoned Timber, A Sense of Place, Thumbprint, and University Woman: the Memoir of Celeste Turner Wright, Professor of English Emeritus, as well as an oral history interview conducted by the UCD Emeriti Association.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Wright, Celeste Turner--Archives
University of California, Davis--Faculty--Archives
Women poets, American--20th century
American poetry--20th century

Access

Collection is open for research.

Processing Information

Sara Gunasekara was assisted by student employees Jane Oh and Michelle Xie in the processing of this collection.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Celeste Turner Wright Papers, D-161, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Publication Rights

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

 

Series 1. About Celeste Turner Wright and Her Works 1963-1975

Physical Description: 9 folders

Scope and Content Note

Contains several articles about Wright as well as reviews of her work.
Box 1:1

Clipping from the Press Herald 1963 January 23

Box 1:2

Mention of Wright winning the Reynolds Lyric Prize in The Lyric 1964 Spring

Box 1:3

Profile of Wright published in Dimension 1964 Fall

Box 1:4

Review by J.E. Chamberlin published in The Hudson Review 1975 Spring

Box 1:5

Review by Denis Donoghue published in The Hudson Review 1964 Summer

Box 1:6

Review by George P. Elliott published in The Hudson Review Autumn 1964

Box 1:7

Review by Don W. Kleine published in Epoch 1965 Spring

Box 1:8

Review by Don W. Kleine published in Arizona Quarterly 1975 Winter

Box 1:9

Review by Jennie M. Palen published in The New Laurel Review 1975 Spring & Fall

 

Series 2. Works 1928-1994

Physical Description: 5 linear feet

Scope and Content Note

Contains writings by Celeste Turner Wright. Organized into two subseries: Manuscripts and Published.
 

Subseries 2.1 Manuscripts 1971-1993

Physical Description: 1 linear foot

Scope and Content Note

Contains manuscripts of Wright's works. Arranged alphabetically by title.
Box 1:10

Cleveland State University manuscript 1990

Box 1:11

Eve, Shylock, and Other Elizabethans undated

Box 1:12

W.W. Norton 1991-1992

Box 1:13-1:15

Notes 1988-1993

Box 1:16-1:21

Thumbprint: Collected Poems 1988-1991

Box 1:22

University of Missouri circa 1992

Box 1:23

University of Pittsburgh Press 1971-1991

Box 1:24-1:29; 2:1-2:9

University Woman: the Memoir of Celeste Turner Wright 1981-1987

Scope and Content Note

Described as the "copy text for University Woman in the final format of an oral history but in reality Wright's autobiography."
 

Subseries 2.2 Published 1928-1994

Physical Description: 4 linear feet

Scope and Content Note

Contains Wright's published works, the majority of which are her poems published in journals. Arranged alphabetically by title.
Box 2:10

"The Abbot's Kitchen" and "The Cliff Palace," published in Midwestern University Quarterly 1967 May

Box 2:11

"Aberration," published in Florida Magazine of Verse 1945 Winter

Box 2:12

"Abundance," published in Talaria 1943 Summer

Box 2:13

"Acquiescence," published in Westward 1942 June

Box 2:14

"Acquiescence" and "Counsel," published in In an Eggshell 1974 Spring

Box 2:15

"Affirmation," published in Wings 1945 Spring

Box 2:16

"Afterthought," published in Wings 1942 Autumn

Box 2:17

"Against Mailing a Letter of Condolence," "Jewel Box at Bradford," and "Rarities," published in Quoin 1967 October

Box 2:18

"Ali Baba in Maine," published in Cardinal 1968 Winter

Box 2:19-2:20

Anthony Mundy: An Elizabethan Man of Letters 1928 December

Box 2:21

"Arch of Triumph" and "Etruscan Princess," published in Western Humanities Review 1959 Summer

Box 2:22

"The Archaeologists," published in The Archer 1968 Summer

Box 2:23

"Artificial Fireplace" and "The First-Axe," published in The Prairie Poet 1960-1961 Winter

Box 2:24

"Astronaut," published in The Lyric 1967 Summer

Box 2:25

"At Coventry," published in The University Review 1964 Summer

Box 2:26

"Aztec Calendar Stone," published in the University of Kansas City Review 1958 March

Box 2:27

"Ballade of the Unloved Ladies," published in Westward 1946 Spring

Box 2:28

"The Big House" and "Schedule," published in The Poetry Chap-Book 1948 Fall

Box 2:29

"Bread and Roses," published in American Poet 1943 May

Box 2:30

"Brief Communion," published in South and West 1966 Autumn

Box 2:31

"Buckeye Honey: A Fable," "Tricho-Nympha," and "Lecture Near Nottingham," published in The Beloit Poetry Journal 1967-1968 Winter

Box 2:32

"Buffo" and "Armory," published in Poetry 1962 April

Box 2:33

"Campus Doorway," published in American Weave 1943 Spring

Box 2:34

"Candid Camera," "Fifth Column," and "Ballade of Synthetic Heaven," published in American Poet 1944 February

Box 3:1

"Capitol," published in The Sonneteer 1944 Spring

Box 3:2

"Chinese Lady," published in Orange Street Poetry Journal 1963 Spring

Box 3:3

"Civilian," published in Wings 1944 Autumn

Box 3:4

"Class Reunion," published in Blue Unicorn 1986 February

Box 3:5

"Columbia Dry Falls" and "Daguerreotype," published in The New Mexico Quarterly Review 1943 Fall

Box 3:6

"Complaint," published in Parodos 1961 May

Box 3:7

"Counsel," published in the Prairie Poet Anthology 1961

Box 3:8

"Credibility Gap," published in Poetry Venture 1968 Fall

Box 3:9

"Credibility Gap" and "Michaelangelo's Day," published in Poetry Ventured Anthology 1972

Box 3:10

"Daguerreotype," published in Wisconsin Poetry Magazine 1963 Summer

Box 3:11

"Death of a Dragon," "Les Baux Legend," and "Pastourelle," published in The Poets' Guild Anthology 1972

Box 3:12

"Distrust," published in Arizona Quarterly 1957 Autumn

Box 3:13

"Donner Lake," published in Cycle 1942 December

Box 3:14

"Doting Parent" and "Salutation to the Body," published in the Antioch Review 1958 Summer

Box 3:15

"Dumdo," published in The Lyric 1970 Summer

Box 3:16

"Elizabeth Rudisill Homann," published in In Memoriam 1985

Box 3:17

"Epitaph," published in Wings 1944 Spring

Box 3:18

"Etruscan Princess," published in Wisconsin Poetry Magazine 1964 October

Box 3:19

"The Exploit," published in Descant 1968 Winter

Box 3:20

"Exploration" and "Lasting Resentment," published in Yearbook of Modern Poetry 1971

Box 3:21

"Family Photograph," published in Essence 1965-1966 Winter

Box 3:22

"Figure Salon," published in The Ina Coolbrith Circle 1985

Box 3:23

Fisherman's Luck," published in The Guild 1967 Autumn

Box 3:24

"Flagellate," published in Modern American Lyrics 1963

Box 3:25

"Folktale," published in The Poets' Guild 1973 Autumn

Box 3:26

"Folktale," published in Talaria 1943 Spring

Box 3:27

"Folktale," published in Three Songs for Chorus and Piano 1968

Box 3:28

"The Forgotten Language" and "Pastourelle," published in Wings 1942 Spring

Box 3:29

"Fortified City, Spain," published in Western Humanities Review 1960 Spring

Box 3:30

"The Galloping Consumer," published in The Pacific Spectator 1948 Winter

Box 3:31

"Genesis of a Short Story," published in A College Treasury 1956

Box 3:32

"Giotto's Chapel at Padua" and "On a Larger Scale," published in Imprints Quarterly 1969 Winter

Box 3:33

"Grapevine," published in the Beloit Poetry Journal 1970 Spring

Box 4:1

"Grave in the Foothills," published in The Yale Review 1947 Summer

Box 4:2

"Grave in the Foothills," published in The Arts and Humanity 1949

Box 4:3

"Grave in the Foothills," published in The Arts and Humanity 1952

Box 4:4

"Guide at Moosehead Lake" and "At Hardscrabble," published in Quoin 1972 July

Box 4:5

"Gwendolyn Bridges Needham" and "Robert Alonzo Wiggins," published in In Memoriam 1989

Box 4:6

"Handsome Unknown," published in Kaleidograph 1942 June

Box 4:7

"Handsome Unknown" and "Visitation," published in Sierra Journal 1978

Box 4:8

"Handsome Unknown" and "Lines Commending Self-Deception," published in Ina Coolbrith Circle 1981

Box 4:9

"Heritage," published in The Lantern 1943 July, August, September

Box 4:10

"Hexham Abbey," published in Maelstrom 1969 Spring

Box 4:11

"The House That Isn't There," published in Arizona Quarterly 1972 Summer

Box 4:12

"Icy Harvest," published in The University Review 1968 June

Box 4:13

"Imperial Tomb" and "Dinner Time at Port Royal," published in The Beloit Poetry Journal 1962 Fall

Box 4:14

"In the Fish Hatchery," published in The Beloit Poetry Journal 1960-1961 Winter

Box 4:15

"In the Repair Shop," published in Quoin 1968 October

Box 4:16

"In Those Days," published in The Poet's Guild 1972 May-June

Box 4:17

"Inscription Rock," published in the Northwest Review 1959 Spring

Box 4:18

"Inside the Cathedral" and "The Phoenix Nest," published in The Lyric 1967 Winter

Box 4:19

"Interlude," published in The Poetry Chap-Book 1944 Fall

Box 4:20

"The Jewel Box at Bradford" and "Murgatroyd," published in the Ina Coolbrith Circle 1969

Box 4:21

"Kineo Mountain", "Noblesse Oblige", and "Thumbprint," published in Poetspeak 1991

Box 4:22

"King Philip Far Away," published in The Lyric 1968 Summer

Box 4:23

"The Leper Window" and "Natural Process," published in American Weave 1963 Spring-Summer

Box 4:24

"Lines Commending Self-Deception," published in Imprints Quarterly 1967 Autumn

Box 4:25

"Lines in Praise of Mental Lapses," published in The New Laurel Review 1971 Fall

Box 4:26

"Lost Poems," published in The University Review 1968 March

Box 4:27

"March of the Turtles," published in The Poets' Guild 1973 Spring

Box 4:28

"Meditations on Grief," published in Southern Poetry Review 1965-1966 Winter

Box 4:29

"Metamorphosis," published in The Pacific Spectator 1954 Fall

Box 4:30

"Metamorphosis," published in The Poets' Guild 1973 Summer

Box 4:31

"Michelangelo's 'Day'," published in Poetry Venture 1971 Spring

Box 4:32

"Minor Medici," published in The Lyric 1971 Spring

Box 4:33

"More Stately Mansions," published in Southern Poetry Review 1967 Fall

Box 4:34

"Murgatroyd," published in The American Bard 1967 July, August, September

Box 4:35

"Murgatroyd," published in The Poet's Guild 1971 February-March

Box 4:36

"Natural Enemies," published in Poet 1967 January

Box 4:37

"Near an English Cathedral" and "On a Friend's Achievement," published in Poet Lore 1966 Summer

Box 4:38

"Near The Penobscot," published in Down East 1972 September

Box 4:39

"New Acquaintance", "Old Master", and "Retrospect," published in Wings 1943 Winter

Box 4:40

"New Acquaintance," published in the Ina Coolbrith Golden Circle 1963-1964

Box 5:1

"New England Renewal," published in West Coast Review 1968 Winter

Box 5:2

"Next of Kin," published in The Archer 1968 Autumn

Box 5:3

"Noblesse Oblige," published in Poetry 1943 September

Box 5:4

"Northern Waterfall," published by The Poetry Chap-Book 1945 Summer

Box 5:5

"Northern Waterfall," published in The Poet's Guild 1972 Autumn

Box 5:6

"Not As Ordered," published in Florida Magazine of Verse 1946 Summer

Box 5:7

"Octopus," published in Rocky Mountain Review 1946 Winter

Box 5:8

"On a Friend's Achievement," published in Poet Lore 1966 Winter

Box 5:9

"On a Friend's Achievement", and "Against Mailing a Letter," published in Ina Coolbrith Circle Anthology 1979

Box 5:10

"On a Place," published in The Poetry Chap-Book 1945 Winter

Box 5:11

"On a Way of Keeping Records," published in Voices 1965

Box 5:12

"On a Way of Keeping Records," and "The Showpiece," published in Poets on a Parade Anthology 1970

Box 5:13

"On a Way of Keeping Records," "State of Preservation," and "The Unfinished Window," published in The Ina Coolbirth Circle 1966-1967

Box 5:14

"On the Dike," published in Poetry Newsletter 1965 October

Box 5:15

"On the Underground," published in The Lyric 1965 Summer

Box 5:16

"On the Underground," published in Best Poems of 1965 1966

Box 5:17

"One Life Too Short," published in The Poet's Guild 1971 May-June

Box 5:18

"One Life Too Short", and "Brief Communion," published in Ina Coolbrith Anthology 1973

Box 5:19

"Ordeal," published in Talaria 1947 Summer

Box 5:20

"The Paper Flowers," published in Wings 1943 Spring

Box 5:21

"Pastourelle", published in Wings 1942 Spring

Box 5:22

"Penance," published in Kalediograph 1942 October

Box 5:23

"Poet and Pedant," published in The Lyric 1968 Winter

Box 5:24

"Postscript," published in Prairie Schooner 1944 Fall

Box 5:25

"Prediction," Published in Westward 1942 October

Box 5:26

"Prediction" and "Flagellate," published in Motley 1968 Spring

Box 5:27

"Prediction," published in The Gathering 1993

Box 5:28

"The Private Rainbow," published in The Prairie Poet 1961 Spring

Box 5:29

"Prophets," published in Alentour 1943 Winter

Box 5:30

"Prophets," published in The Poet's Guild 1971 November-December

Box 5:31

"Quest for Identity," published in Imprints Quarterly 1971 Winter

Box 5:32

"Reprieve," published in California Quarterly 1983 Summer

Box 5:33

"Reproach," published in The Tanager 1945 June

Box 5:34

"Review of The Queer by Henry Vaughan," published in The Explicator 1955

Box 5:35

"Ricebowl," published in The Poetry Chap-Book 1943 Winter

Box 5:36

"Ricebowl" and "Metamorphosis," published in The Ina Coolbrith Golden Circle 1964-1965

Box 5:37

"Rival," published in Verse Craft 1942 September-October

Box 5:38

"Roman Aqueduct," published in Poet Lore 1966 Spring

Box 5:39

"Roughcast," published in Arizona Quarterly 1963 Summer

Box 5:40

"Russian Orchard," published in The Winged World 1946 Winter

Box 5:41

"Samples," published in Verse Craft 1944 September-October

Box 5:42

"Samples," published in The Poet's Guild 1971 August-September

Box 5:43

"Satellite" and "A Victorian Castle" published in The University of Kansas City Review 1963 March

Box 5:44

"Satellite," published in Ina Coolbrith Anthology 1977-1978

Box 5:45

"Saturn," published in The University of Kansas City Review 1944 Winter

Box 5:46

"Sea Lions' Grotto" and "California Mission Restored," published in Northwest Review 1960 Fall-Winter

Box 5:47

"Semantics," published in Wings 1942 Summer

Box 6:1

"Semantics," published in American Writing 1943

Box 6:2

"Semantics" (I, II, & III), published in Motley 1969 April

Box 6:3

"Servant Problem," published in Talaria 1945 Spring

Box 6:4

"The Showpiece," published in Cimarron Review 1968 December

Box 6:5

"Sierra Slopes," published in Wings 1944 Winter

Box 6:6

"Skull Cave," published in Queen's Quarterly 1959 Autumn

Box 6:7

"Stalagmite," published in Wings 1958 Summer

Box 6:8

"State of Preservation," published in The Lyric 1964 Winter

Box 6:9

"State of Preservation," published in A Formal Feeling Comes 1994

Box 6:10

"Statue in a Roman Theatre," published in The University of Kansas City Review 1961 Summer

Box 6:11

"Stone Bridge at Avignon," published in The Guild 1967-1968 Winter

Box 6:12

"Tanglewood," published in Manhattan Poetry Review 1984-1985 Winter

Box 6:13

"Thumbprint", "Frontier", and "Roman Coastline," published in Wings 1942 Winter

Box 6:14

"Thumbprint" and "Today," published in The Music Makers 1945

Box 6:15

"Thumbprint," published in The Ina Coolbrith Golden Circle 1961

Box 6:16

"Timely Translation," published in The Laurel Review 1967 Fall

Box 6:17

To Eleanor: Mount Kineo, Maine," published in The Poet's Guild 1972 February-March

Box 6:18

"To a Tearful Young Poet," published in Blue Unicorn 1982 October

Box 6:19

"To a Tearful Young Poet" and "Class Reunion," published in Ina Coolbrith Circle 1989

Box 6:20

"To Pluck Bright Honour--," published in Maelstrom 1970 Spring

Box 6:21

"Today," published in Wings 1943 Autumn

Box 6:22

"Token," published in Different 1946 March-April

Box 6:23

"Two Pairs of Gloves," published in The Beloit Poetry Journal 1966-1967 Winter

Box 6:24

"Under the Bell Jar," published in The University Review 1965 Autumn

Box 6:25

"Under the Bell Jar," published in The Gathering 1991

Box 6:26

"The Unfinished Window," published in Arizona Quarterly 1965 Summer

Box 6:27

"Vessel of Grace," published in Arizona Quarterly 1956 Summer

Box 6:28

"Visitation," published in The Lyric 1945 Autumn

Box 6:29

"War Memorial," published in The Tanager 1945 December

Box 6:30

"With a Quatrain by Shakespeare," published in Blue Unicorn 1983 October

Box 6:31

"Yugoslav Cemetery," published in Beloit Poetry Journal 1958 Spring

Box 6:32

"Zone of Silence," published in Arizona Quarterly 1966 Winter

 

Series 3. Correspondence 1941-1988

Physical Description: 13 letters

Scope and Content Note

Contains a small portion of Wright's correspondence. Several additional pieces of correspondence accompany Wright's manuscripts and may be found in Series 2.1 Manuscripts.
Arranged in two subseries: Outgoing and Incoming.
 

Subseries 3.1 Outgoing 1971-1988

Physical Description: 4 letters

Scope and Content Note

Contains Wright's outgoing letters, the majority of which discuss her work, First Resort. Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Box 6:33

Blanchard, J. Richard 1973 November 20

Box 6:34

Alfred A, Knopf Inc. 1988 August 15

Box 6:35

Scott Meredith Literary Agency 1972 June 20

Box 6:36

Owen, Guy 1971 November 3

 

Subseries 3.2 Incoming 1941-1986

Physical Description: 9 letters

Scope and Content Note

Contains Wright's incoming correspondence. The majority of the letters discuss Wright's work, First Resort. Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Box 6:37

Blanchard, J. Richard 1973 November 21

Box 6:38

Baertschi, Marjorie 1985 January 2

Box 6:39

Buell, L.M. 1971 December 3

Box 6:40

Homann, Leonard G. 1986 September

Box 6:41

Doughty, LeGarde S. 1941 October 1

Box 6:42

Gilbert, Elliott 1971 October 12

Box 6:43

Owen, Guy 1970 August 17

Box 6:44

Meredith Scott Literary Agency 1972 July 18

Box 6:45

Shapiro, Karl 1971 October 7

 

Series 4. Works by Others 1921-1979

Physical Description: 5 folders

Scope and Content Note

Contains works by individuals other than Wright including one by Wright's mother, Viola Kelley Turner. Arranged alphabetically by author.
Box 6:46

Atherton, Gertrude. The Sisters-in-law 1921

Box 6:47

Baer, Janet. Poems of Presentation 1979

Box 6:48

Deane, Samuel. History of Scituate, Massachusetts from Its First Settlement to 1831 (Bicentennial Edition) 1975

Box 6:49

Howard, Walter L. Ten Generations of Virginia Howards 1949

Box 6:50

Turner, Viola Kelley. Thief at the Gates of Paradise 1955