Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Barr (James) Papers
Coll2008-043
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: James Barr papers
creator:
Barr, James
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2008-043
Physical Description:
0.6 Linear Feet
1 archive carton
Date (inclusive): 1951-1991
Abstract: Manuscripts, correspondence, clippings and photographs relating to gay author James W. Fugaté (1922-1995), who under the pseudonym
James Barr, wrote the groundbreaking novel,
Quatrefoil (1950), as well as other gay-themed works, including a volume of short stories,
Derricks (1951), and a play,
Game of Fools (1955). The collection also includes manuscripts of short stories and of articles he contributed to homophile periodicals
such as
ONE Magazine,
Der Kreis and the
Mattachine Review; correspondence with his publishers and homophile organizations such as ONE, Inc.; and photographs of Fugaté dating back
to 1952.
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
James Barr papers, Coll2008-043, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, June 24, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Additional materials added by Kyle Morgan, 2015.
James W. Fugaté was born in Missouri on February 13, 1922. Fugaté was still a child when his mother died and, having never
met his father, was relocated several times before a foster couple decided to raise him. After serving in the U.S. Navy during
World War II, Fugaté studied professional writing at a university, but soon dropped out and moved to New York City where he
earned a living writing advertising copy for television.
His experience in the Navy was the inspiration for his book, the groundbreaking novel,
Quatrefoil, first published in 1950. Written under the pseudonym, James Barr,
Quatrefoil is hailed as one of the first novels to present a frank and positive depiction of same-sex love. Following the success of
Quatrefoil, he published a volume of short stories,
Derricks (1951), and the play,
Game of Fools (1955).
During the Korean War, Fugaté reenlisted in the U.S. Navy, but he was discharged when a background check by Naval Intelligence
revealed him to be the author of
Quatrefoil. Following the incident, he moved to Los Angeles where he became aware of ONE, Inc., the Mattachine Society and the early
gay rights movement. As an early activist, he contributed a number of articles to homophile periodicals--such as
ONE Magazine,
Der Kreis (
The Circle) and
Mattachine Review--throughout the 1950s. By the mid-1960s, however, he lost touch with the gay rights movement and returned to the Midwest,
where he earned a living in a variety of jobs, including laborer in oil fields and reporter for the
Kansas City Star. He eventually settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he died on March 28, 1995.
Source: James Barr Papers, Coll2008-043, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection comprises manuscripts, correspondence, clippings and photographs. The manuscripts include short stories and
articles Fugaté wrote for early homophile periodicals, such as
ONE Magazine and
Der Kreis (
The Circle.) The correspondence documents his participation in the 1950s homophile movement as well as his work with publishers of his
books. The photographs include photos of him in the 1950s and publicity photos taken for the re-issue of his novel,
Quatrefoil, in 1991. The materials prior to 1980 appear to have been pulled from the files of ONE, Inc.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Homosexuality and literature
Gays' writings, American
Gay authors -- United States -- 20th century
Barr, James
Barr, James