Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Abbott, Steve, 1943-1992
- Abstract:
- Steve Abbott was a poet, critic, editor and novelist. He was one of the founding editors of the San Francisco bay area's poetry newsletter Poetry Flash, and he was the editor of the literary journal Soup. The papers contain correspondence, subject files, works by Abbott, publications and writing by others, photographs, and computer disks.
- Extent:
- 3 cartons, 1 document case, 1 oversized box (5.0 cubic feet)
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Steve Abbott Papers (GLC 77), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains a good representation of Abbott's written work and artwork. It also includes correspondence, drawings, flyers, subject files, newspaper clippings and photographs. Some subjects include his trial related to conscientious objector status, his participation in school governments and political groups, and his teaching.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Stephen Eugene Abbott (1943-1992) was a poet, critic, editor and novelist. He was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduated from the University of Nebraska, and attended Emory University. He married Barbara Binder in February 1969, and came out publicly later that year. Their daughter, Alysia, was born in December 1970. In August 1973, Barbara was killed in an automobile accident.
In 1974, Steve and Alysia moved to San Francisco, where Steve became involved with the literary scene. His friends included Allen Ginsberg, Aaron Shurin, and Robert Gluck, among others. Abbott was one of the founding editors of the San Francisco bay area's poetry newsletter Poetry Flash, and he was the editor of the literary journal Soup. He was a respected critic and the first to use the term "new narrative" to describe the work of Bruce Boone and Robert Gluck. Abbott was a frequent contributor to The Advocate, The Sentinel, and the Bay Area Reporter. He organized the Left/Write conference in 1981.
Steve Abbott died of complications due to AIDS on December 2, 1992. His novel The Lizard Club was published posthumously. In 2013, W.W. Norton and Company published Alysia Abbott's Fairyland: a Memoir of My Father (New York). The memoir draws in part from Steve Abbott's journals which are retained by his daughter. Her website www.steveabbott.org contains a wealth of interesting archival material.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by Kevin Killian for the Estate of Steve Abbott, February 1994. Additional material was donated by Alysia Abbott, July 10, 2002.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged into 6 series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Subject Files; Series 3. Works by Abbott; Series 4. Publications and Writing by Others; Series 5. Photographs; and, Series 6. Computer disks.
- Physical location:
- Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright is retained by Alysia Abbott.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Steve Abbott Papers (GLC 77), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567