Description
American physicist, poet, publisher, editor of artists' books, illustrator and mail artist. Collection consists of five collections
of mail art preserved by Porter from his own accumulation and those of fellow mail artists John Pyros, Carlo Pittore (née
Charles Stanley), Robert Saunders, and Jay Yager.
Background
Bern Porter was born Bernard Harden Porter on February 14, 1911 in Porter Settlement, Maine. Schooled in physics, Porter contributed
to the Manhattan Project until 1945 when he quit shortly after he published Henry Miller's Murder the Murderer, an anti-war tract. Disillusioned by the misapplication of scientific potential, Porter began to express himself through
a fusion of science and art. In 1959, he established the Institute for Advanced Thinking to encourage freelance physicists
to develop ideas that combine physics and the humanities.
Extent
19.25 Linear Feet
(39 boxes, 1 flat file folder)
Restrictions
Contact Library Rights and Reproductions.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers.