Gary Fisher Papers, 1973-1997, bulk 1980-1994

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Summary

Creators:
Fisher, Gary, 1961-1994
Abstract:
The collection contains the notebooks, diaries, journals, poems and short fiction of Gary Fisher, a gay African American man. It also includes the transcripts and excerpts used for Gary in Your Pocket, edited by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.
Extent:
4 boxes (3.5 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Gary Fisher Papers (GLC 51), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes the written work, journals and drawings of Gary Fisher. It also includes the files created by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick as she edited Fisher's work for the publication of Gary in Your Pocket. There is a small amount of correspondence and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Gary Fisher was a gay African American man who enjoyed writing and drawing and was a dedicated diarist. He was born on June 19, 1961 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Fisher attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1979-1983 and studied English and creative writing. He died of AIDS at the age of 32 on February 22, 1994. After his death, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick edited portions of his journals, poems and stories in order to publish Gary in Your Pocket. Sedwick includes a full biography of Fisher at the end of Gary in Your Pocket.

Acquisition information:
The Gary Fisher Papers were donated to the San Francisco Public Library in 1998 by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, the literary executor of the Gary Fisher Estate.
Arrangement:

The papers have been arranged into six series: Series 1. Notebooks; Series 2. Journals / Diaries; Series 3. Poems, Short Fiction, and Other Writing; Series 4. Gary in Your Pocket Files; Series 5. Correspondence; and, Series 6. Printed Materials.

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

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 and literary rights retained by the Gary Fisher estate. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to Hal Sedgwick.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Gary Fisher Papers (GLC 51), 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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