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Scalapino (Leslie) Papers
MSS 0668
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Table of contents
Description
Papers of Leslie Scalapino, Bay Area poet, scholar, experimental prose writer and founding editor of O Books, an Oakland,
California publisher. The collection contains correspondence with other prominent poets and writers, typescripts of published
and unpublished literary works, and talks given at various conferences. The papers also include production materials for books
published by O Books; sound and video recordings of spoken word events and play performances; and miscellaneous biographical
material including interviews, photographs, and reading announcement flyers.
Background
Leslie Scalapino was born in Santa Barbara, California, in 1944 to singer Dee Jessen and political science professor Robert
Scalapino, founder of UC Berkeley's Institute for Asian Studies. Because of her father's academic focus in the politics of
Asia, Scalapino traveled throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe at an early age. Her later work reflects some influence from
these travels including meditation on Zen writing and Tibetan philosophy. In the 1960s, she attended Reed College, graduating
in 1966. Her graduate studies in writing continued at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a M.A. in English
(1969), after which she began to focus on writing poetry.
Extent
52 Linear feet
(120 archives boxes, 3 flat boxes, 4 card file boxes and 2 map case folders)
Restrictions
Publishing rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Availability
Original sound and videorecordings throughout the collection are restricted. Digital media in Series 22 and 26 is restricted.
Researchers may request listening/viewing copies be produced in advance.