Elsa Gidlow papers, 1898-1986 (bulk 1920-1986)
Online content
Collection context
Summary
Background
- Scope and content:
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The content of this collection (13 linear feet) documents Elsa Gidlow's personal life, public activity and literary accomplishments from 1920 until her death in 1986. The Papers are divided into nine series: Title: Correspondence, Title: Subject Files, Title: Manuscripts, Title: Published Works, Title: Journals and Yearbooks, Title: Audio-Visual and Photographs, Title: Ephemera, Title: Oversize Materials, and Title: Original Documents.
- Biographical / historical:
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Elsa Gidlow (29 December 1898 – 8 June 1986) was a lesbian poet, philosopher, and woman of letters. Her book On a Grey Thread (1923) was the first collection of openly lesbian love poetry published in North America, and her autobiography, Elsa: I Come With My Songs (1986) was the first lesbian autobiography whose author did not publish under a pseudonym. In 1954, she purchased a ranch which she named Druid Heights and used as both a personal home and a retreat for fellow artists, feminists, and bohemians. An appearance in the 1977 documentary Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives brought a larger audience to Gidlow, who lived her long life outside of the closet and in queer community.
- Acquisition information:
- The Elsa Gidlow Papers (#1991-16) were donated to the GLBT Historical Society in 1991.
Indexed terms
- Names:
- Lesbians
Literature
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
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Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials is not held by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
- Preferred citation:
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Elsa Gidlow papers. GLBT Historical Society
- Location of this collection:
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989 Market Street, Lower LevelSan Francisco, CA 94103, US
- Contact:
- (415) 777-5455