This collection contains the personal and professional papers of American writer Conrad Aiken (1889-1973). The collection includes his correspondence (chiefly letters addressed to him), dealing with his business and literary affairs, manuscripts of his works, with some photographs and ephemera.

Conrad Potter Aiken (1889-1973) was a writer of poetry, short stories, novels and criticism. He is best known perhaps for his innovative autobiography, Ushant (1952), and for the play, Mr. Arcularis, which was adapted from his short story "Mr. Arcularis." Among Aiken's notable works are Blue Voyage (1927), his first novel, which deeply impressed the young Malcolm Lowry while writing Ultramarine; Collected Poems (1953) which won for Aiken the National Book Award for 1953; and The Clerk's Journal, an undergraduate poem - written in 1911 but published late in Aiken's life (1971). The Reviewer's ABC, a selection of Aiken's criticism gathered together by Rufus Blanshard demonstrates Aiken's prophetic talent of judging who among his contemporaries would be proclaimed "good" or "bad."

Approximately 5,300 items in 103 boxes and additional oversize folders

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. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

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