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Finding aid of the Beowulf Thorne Papers
2003-10
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Title: Beowulf Thorne Papers
Dates: 1964-1999
Collection number: 2003-10
Creator:
Thorne, Beowulf
Collection Size:
4.0 linear feet
2 manuscript boxes, 2 cartons, 1 oversized box
Repository:
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94105
Abstract: Beowulf Thorne (Jack Henry Foster) was a political activist on issues affecting PWAs (people with AIDS). He was one of the
founders, with Tom Shearer, of the humor magazine, Diseased Pariah News (DPN). He used his skills as a writer, editor, and
graphic artist on the magazine. The collection documents the operations, both commercial and artistic of DPN, as well as the
work of Oakland's Condom Resource Center.
Physical location: Stored at the Archives of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society in San Francisco, California.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection open for research.
Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
[Identification of item], Beowulf Thorne Papers, 2003-10, The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
Donated to the Library by Daniel Bao on April 3, 2003.
Beowulf Thorne (born Jack Henry Foster) was born in San Diego on November 6, 1964. He attended Stanford University. A political
activist regarding issues affecting PWAs (People with AIDS), he was one of the founders, along with Daniel Bao and Tom Shearer,
of the PWA humor magazine Diseased Pariah News (DPN). He used both his skills as a writer-editor and as a graphic artist
in creating and publishing DPN. A total of eleven issues of Diseased Pariah News were published from 1990 to 1999.
Beowulf Thorne passed away from complications relating to AIDS on May 8, 1999, the second co-founder to pass away from AIDS
(Tom Shearer and passed away after the second issue of DPN was published). Thorne was memorialized in the final issue of
DPN in an irreverently titled piece of which he would have approved: "Dang! Our Founder and Guiding Light Died."
Scope and Content of Collection
Few personal papers are included in this collection. It's primarily focus is on Thorne's experience as a person with AIDS
(PWA). This collection mostly consists of the textual and graphic records of Diseased Pariah News. An additional series relates
to Oakland's Condom Resource Center, headed by director Daniel Bao, who worked closely with DPN.
The series is organized into 5 series:
- Series 1. Personal, 1964-1998
- Series 2. Diseased Pariah News, 1990-1999
- Series 3. Zines, 1990-1997
- Series 4. Condom Resource Center, 1990-1998
- Series 5. Photos/Artwork, 1989-1992
- Series 5. Photos/Artwork, 1989-1992
- Series 6. Objects, undated, 1990
Series 1. Personal, 1964-1998
This series consists of personal documents and other effects of Beowulf Thorne such as his passports, birth certificate, personal
notes on his estate, and articles he wrote for POZ Magazine, a magazine for and about people living with HIV. There are also
personal photographs in this series.
Series 2. Diseased Pariah News, 1990-1999
This series contains materials relating to the Thorne's magazine Diseased Pariah News. All eleven issues of the magazine
are included as well as background materials and other items related to publishing the magazine such as drafts of articles,
artwork and photographs. Also found in this series are reviews of the magazine and articles in other publications about DPN.
Finally there are correspondence files containing letter to the editors requesting back issues, subscriptions, or expressing
opinions about the magazine.
Series 3. Zines, 1990-1997
This series consists of other zines collected by Thorne. These publications had a similar irreverent approach to the AIDS
crisis
Series 4. Condom Resource Center, 1990-1998
This series contains materials produced by the Condom Resource Center (CRC) in Oakland. Thorne worked very closely with this
organization, helping create artwork and other content for their safe sex campaigns. Included in this series are examples
of some of Thorne's artwork as well as photographs. There are also several publications put out by the CRC such as several
versions of the Condom Educator's Guide.
Series 5. Photos/Artwork, 1989-1992
This series consists of the photographs and other artwork created by Beowulf Thorne. His skills as a photographer and an
artist are illustrated by these items.
Series 6. Objects, undated, 1990
This series contains ephemera from Diseased Pariah News and other organizations.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
AIDS
San Francisco (Calif.)
Persons With AIDS
AIDS Activists
Graphic Artists
Diseased Pariah News(Periodical)