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Guide to the William Plumley Collection
MS 175
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Title: William Plumley collection,
Date (inclusive): 1942-1972
Date (bulk): (Bulk 1956-1958)
Collection number: MS 175
Collector:
Plumley, William
Extent:
2 boxes
Repository:
University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library.
Special Collections and Archives
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence from Kenneth and Miriam Patchen to Hortense Baer written between 1946-1972, and ephemera
on Kenneth Patchen.
Physical location: Stored in Special Collections & Archives: Advance notice is required for access to the papers.
Language:
English.
Collection open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and
their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
William Plumley Collection, MS 175. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of
California, Santa Cruz.
Acquired 1994.
William Crawford Plumley, a scholar of modern American poetry and a published author, was born in Hamlin, West Virginia. From
1980 on, he has performed academic duties as a professor of English at University of Charleston, the former Morris Harvey
College, in Charleston, West Virginia.
He received an A.B. from Marshall University (1963), M. Ed. from Kent State University (1967), M.A. from Marshall University
(1971), and Ph.D. on Appalachian studies from Union Graduate School, Ohio (1977).
He has written poetry and edited anthologies and articles on folklore, poetry and fiction, mainly focusing on the Appalachian
literature and culture. His first set of personal poetry
Many Faces was published in 1969 by Morris Harvey Press, followed by
Poems from the Hills, 1970 and
Poems from the Hills, 1971. He has also made guest appearances as the Appalachian scholar on TV produced by Public Broadcasting Company.
Mainly publishing in the 1970's, his latest literary activity includes a book production, consisting of criticism on, poetry
dedicated to, and an interview with American poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti (
Lawrence Ferlinghetti :in Search of Eros, 1995). This project was inspired by the exhibition of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's drawings and his public reading produced
by Plumley at the University of Charleston, West Virginia.
His literary interest also extends to collecting primary research material (manuscripts, letters, original art) and books
by notable modern writers such as Patchen, Kerouac, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, and Bukowski.
He has been an active member on the board of directors for Appalachian Heritage Foundation, Inc., and Mountain State Press
(1977-) and holds a membership in American Poetry Society.
The William Plumley collection of Kenneth Patchen material was purchased through an auction in 1994. It consists of correspondence,
annotated and typed letters from Kenneth and Miriam Patchen and printed material.
The correspondence consists mainly of autographed and typed letters from Kenneth and Miriam Patchen to their friend and occasional
patron, Mrs. Hortense Baer. Three letters from Kenneth Patchen and over eighty letters written by Miriam Patchen provide an
intimate glimpse into their lives from 1956-1958. The letters cover Patchen's jazz-poetry venture, medical affairs, financial
strains and various moves around the Bay Area.
The printed material consists of picture-poem postcards, an exhibit catalog and clippings.
The following collections in Special Collection at UCSC:
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Plumley, William--Archives
Patchen, Kenneth--1911-1972.
Poets, American--20th century
Other Index Terms Related to this Collection
Patchen, Kenneth,1911-1972--Kenneth Patchen archive
Patchen, Miriam
Baer, Hortense