William Dickey Poems and His Correspondence to Lenore Weiss, 1977-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Dickey, William
Abstract:
The collection contains letterpress and computer-generated prints of poetry by William Dickey, and some by Dickey and Leonard Sanazaro. Some pieces are exmples of fine printing by Lee Engdahl (Engdahl Typography), hit & run press, and the Pterodactyl Press. The collection also contains 7 postcards and 15 letters from Dickey to Lenore Weiss, a creative writing student and friend. The letters include his feedback on poems by Weiss, and also include details about his personal life.
Extent:
8 folders and 1 oversized folder
Language:
Collection materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Dickey Poems and Correspondence (GLC 22), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains letterpress and computer-generated prints of poetry by Dickey. Some are examples of fine printing. Of these letterpress items, two were printed by Lee Engdahl (Engdahl Typography), one by hit & run press, and two by the Pterodactyl Press. There are a few holiday greeting cards which contain poems by Dickey and Leonard Sanazaro.

In addition, there is correspondence from Dickey to Lenore Weiss, a creative writing student and friend. The letters contain Dickey's constructive criticism of her poems and occasionally contain poems of his own. They demonstrate his sense of humor and his subjects include musings on poetry and writing, the San Francisco Poetry Center, his travel to Liverpool, dogs (Imogen), and a romantic partner named Tommy. Later letters touch on alcoholism and getting sober, having children, and teaching. One letter references printing/distributing anti-Briggs initiative flyers at San Francisco State University where he taught.

The folder of letters includes copies of poems by Lenore Weiss: "Sweater Girl," "Thunderclap," "Rosalyne of the Fifth Floor," "Language Laboratory #1," "Noon Procession in White T-Shirt," and, "Language Laboratory #2." It also includes poems by William Dickey: "Dear Evelyn: Remember What I Told You," "Knowing How It Will Go: The Maltese Falcon," and, "At the River of Indecision."

Biographical / historical:

William Dickey (1928-1994) was born in Bellingham, Washington, and educated at Reed College, Harvard University, the Writer's Workshop of the University of Iowa, and Jesus College, Oxford. He was a professor of English and creative writing at San Francisco State University. He wrote and published prize-winning poetry for over thirty years.

Acquisition information:
Poems and books donated by the estate of William Dickey, 1996. Lenore Weiss donated 15 letters and 7 postcards from Dickey, February 20, 2022.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two series: Series 1: Poems; and, Series 2: Correspondence. The poems are arranged alphabetically by title. The correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
The collection is stored onsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Dickey Poems and Correspondence (GLC 22), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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