Papers of Charles Bernstein, writer, editor, librettist, educator, and publisher, who is most often associated with L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E, a body of writing named for the journal (1978-1982) by this name which Bernstein co-edited with Bruce Andrews. Bernstein writes poetry, essays and librettos which foreground the materiality and sociality of language as it exists in different contexts. The papers include correspondence with writers, artists, publishers and friends; manuscript drafts and production materials for his collected works, especially CONTENT'S DREAM (1986), A POETICS (1992) and MY WAY (1998); notebooks and journals (1971-1994); and uncollected poem drafts and working papers. Also included are drafts for the multi-authored poem LEGEND written with Ray DiPalma, Bruce Andrews, Steve McCaffery, and Ron Silliman. Bernstein's editorial work on Asylum's Press publications, the L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Journal, the Segue Catalog, BOUNDRY 2: 43 POETS and BOUNDRY 2: 99 POETS, as well as numerous smaller projects are well represented. The papers also contain correspondence and drafts for music theater projects, book reviews of his published work, critical essays on Bernstein, teaching materials, conference planning materials, and spoken word audio recording of readings and lectures, as well as several videotapes. Also included are high school and college notebooks and papers and freelance medical writings. The papers are arranged in fifteen series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, 3) NOTEBOOKS, 4) COLLECTED WORKS, 5) COLLABORATIONS AND TRANSLATIONS, 6) MUSIC THEATER, 7) UNCOLLECTED WORK, 8) EDITORIAL WORK, 9) REVIEWS AND CRITICISM, 10) MEDICAL WRITING, 11) TEACHING MATERIALS, 12) CONFERENCES, 13) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 14) RECORDINGS, and 15) ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.

Charles Kegel Bernstein was born on April 4, 1950, in New York City. As a student at the Bronx High School of Science, Bernstein edited and wrote for the school newspaper, SCIENCE SURVEY, and was active in his synogogue's youth group. Before entering Harvard University in 1968, Bernstein met visual artist Susan Bee, whom he would later marry and with whom he occasionally collaborates.

50.00 linear feet (129 archives boxes, 5 card file boxes and 5 oversize folders)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Letters of recommendation located in Box 31, Folder 14 are restricted until 2025.