Isaac Bonewits papers, 1960s-2009

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Summary

Creators:
Bonewits, Philip Emmons Isaac and Seligman, William
Abstract:
This collection contains subject files, manuscripts, correspondence, notebooks, calendars, photographs and ephemera of Isaac Bonewits (1949–2010), writer, lecturer, and liturgist with considerable influence on the American Neopagan and Earth religion movements of the late 20th century.
Extent:
26.33 linear feet (17 cartons, 3 flat boxes, 2 document boxes, 1 half-size document box, 1 audiocassette, 1 CD)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Isaac Bonewits papers, ARC Mss 73. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains subject files, manuscripts, correspondence, notebooks, photographs and ephemera of Isaac Bonewits (1949–2010), writer, lecturer, and liturgist with considerable influence on the American Neopagan and Earth religion movements of the late 20th century. Included among these materials are research files pertaining to pagan religions, pagan liturgy books, treatises on magic and witchcraft, outlines for articles and books, and many other items related to pagan theology.

Also included are the files collected by William Seligman, after using the materials to write a biography of Isaac Bonewits. Among these materials are correspondence, magazines, calendars (that belonged to Bonewits), and other materials relating to the life and works of Isaac Bonewits.

Biographical / historical:

Philip Emmons Isaac Bonewits (1949–2010) was a writer, lecturer, and liturgist with considerable influence on the American Neopagan and Earth religion movements of the late 20th century. Bonewits first became involved with Neopaganism while an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, where he joined the Reformed Druids of North America. He went on to become the University of California's first—and, to date, only—graduate to receive a degree in magic. Bonewits published his first book, Real Magic, shortly after graduation, quickly establishing himself as a leader in the Neopagan community. He eventually founded the Neopagan Druidic group Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, which is still functioning. Bonewits was a member of the Aquarian Anti-Defamation League. and wrote extensively about the history of modern pagan witchcraft, much of which is unpublished. In the course of his research and writing career, he collected correspondence from many notable figures in the movement.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Phaedra Bonewits, 2010-2012; gift of William Seligman, 2019.
Arrangement:

The collection has been divided into the following series: Subject Files, Bonewits' Writings, Others' Writings, Pentalpha Journal, Calendars, Miscellaneous, and Medical & Legal Records.

Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Isaac Bonewits papers, ARC Mss 73. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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