Butler (Octavia E.) Correspondence and Photographs, 1993-approximately 2006

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Summary

Title:
Octavia E. Butler Correspondence and Photographs,
Dates:
1993-approximately 2006
Creators:
Butler, Octavia E. Louis, Frances Deutsch
Abstract:
This is a collection of materials compiled by Professor Frances Deutsch Louis, primarily letters from American science fiction writer Octavia. E. Butler (1947-2006) to Louis, and related photographs.
Extent:
98 items in 2 boxes
Language:
The records are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Octavia E. Butler Correspondence and Photographs, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This is a collection of materials compiled by Professor Frances Deutsch Louis, primarily letters from American science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) to Louis, and related photographs.

The collection consists of letters from Butler to Louis and photographs, as well as one facsimile draft of an essay by Butler.

Often written in notecards, the brief notes to Louis provide a more intimate look into the everyday life of the shy Butler. The photographs include snapshots of Butler with friends, at events, and images of her home that she herself took and shared with Louis.

Biographical / historical:

Octavia Estelle Butler (1947-2006) was an American science fiction writer, and the first black woman in her field. Frances Deutsch Louis (1937-) was a professor of English at York College, City University of New York (CUNY). The two met in a professional setting and found each other to be kindred spirits. They maintained a close friendship and correspondence thereafter, until Butler's passing in 2006.

Acquisition information:
The collection was a gift from Frances Deutsch Louis, June 20, 2013.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following 2 series:

  • Manuscript and Correspondence
  • Photographs
Items are organized chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Natalie M. Russell.
Date Prepared:
© December 12, 2013
Date Encoded:
Machine readable finding aid encoded by Natalie M. Russell in September 2014

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The literary copyright of materials by Octavia E. Butler is held by the Estate of Octavia E. Butler. Anyone wishing to quote from or publish any manuscript material by Octavia E. Butler must contact the agent listed below. Questions should also be directed to the agent below.

Agent contact info:

Merrilee HeifetzWriters House21 West 26th StNew York City, NY 10010mheifetz@writershouse.com(212) 685-2605

The copyright for materials by others represented in the collection is held by other parties. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the current copyright holder and obtain permission from the appropriate parties.

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. For materials by Octavia E. Butler researchers should contact both the agent as listed above for publication permission.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Octavia E. Butler Correspondence and Photographs, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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