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Crosson (Robert) Papers
MSS 0587
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Robert Crosson Papers
Creator:
Crosson, Robert, 1929-2001
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0587
Physical Description:
21.2 Linear feet
(45 archives boxes, 1 card file box and 3 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1945 - 2001
Abstract: The papers of Robert Crosson, Hollywood actor and contemporary Los Angeles poet, contain manuscript and typescript drafts
for Crosson's published collected works, especially GEOGRAPHIES (1981), ABANDONED LATITUDES: NEW WRITINGS BY 3 LOS ANGELES
POETS (1983), CALLIOPE (1988), and THE BLUE SOPRANO (1994); individual poems published in small literary magazines; and unpublished
poetry and prose, including his novel "Round-Trip to Midland." Of particular interest are Crosson's daybooks which record
his daily activities, thoughts and writings for over four decades. Also included are video and audio recordings, photographs
of Crosson, and collages. The papers are arranged in eight series: 1) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS
BY CROSSON, 4) DAYBOOKS, 5) ARTWORKS BY CROSSON, 6) CASSETTE RECORDINGS, 7) REEL-TO-REEL AUDIO RECORDINGS, and 8) ORIGINALS
OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Robert Crosson Papers document the literary career of a Los Angeles poet and writer. Materials include typescript drafts
for published collected poetry and individually published poems, as well as unpublished poetry, plays and prose. Included
are his daybooks (1980-2000) in which he recorded his writing and descriptions of daily activities. The collection contains
collages, drawings and slides of Crosson's watercolors; audiorecordings of Crosson's poetry readings; correspondence; and
miscellaneous materials, especially photographs of Crosson and a scrapbook documenting his acting career.
The Robert Crosson Papers are arranged in eight series: 1) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS BY CROSSON,
4) DAYBOOKS, 5) ARTWORK BY CROSSON, 6) CASSETTE RECORDINGS, 7) REEL-TO-REEL RECORDINGS, and 8) ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.
Born in 1929, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Crosson moved with his family to Pomona, California, in 1944. He graduated from
Pomona High School in 1948, attended Mt. San Antonio College and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles,
where he obtained a bachelor's degree in English and theatre arts in 1951.
Between 1952 and 1960, Crosson pursued an acting career and appeared in numerous television programs, including "Captain
Midnight," "Dragnet," "Superman," "Studio 57," and the "Millionaire," as well as the Paramount pictures, WHITE CHRISTMAS and
LAST DAY OF MY LIFE.
At the end of the 1950s, Crosson moved to Europe to write, but returned after two years making little progress. He entered
the masters program in library science at UCLA, but soon gave up to work on his novel, "Midland." Crosson worked as a dishwasher,
restaurant manager and eventually supported himself and his writing as a house painter and carpenter until 1996 when his health
began to decline.
Crosson's first published book, GEOGRAPHIES (1981), was followed by ABANDONED LATITUDES: THREE LOS ANGELES WRITERS (1983),
CALLIOPE (1988), THE BLUE SOPRANO (1994), and a chapbook entitled IN THE ETHERS OF THE AMAZON, POEMS 1984-1997. His work entitled
"Round-Trip to Midland" remains unpublished. Crosson's daybooks document his daily activities of writing, house painting and
carpentry. His collage making began after his first stay in a convalescent hospital in 1998.
Crosson died on December 10, 2001.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Robert Crosson Papers, MSS 587. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Acquired 2002.
Audiovisual recordings have been digitized and are available online.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American poetry -- 20th century
Crosson, Robert, 1929-2001 -- Archives