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Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Biography
  • Scope and Contents of Collection
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Publication Rights

  • Contributing Institution: University of California, Merced Library
    Title: Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel Papers
    Creator: McDaniel, Wilma Elizabeth
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS-001
    Physical Description: 12 Linear Feet (24 archives boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1936-2007
    Abstract: Papers of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel, Central Valley, California poet.
    Language of Material: English .

    Access

    Collection is open for research

    Biography

    Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel was born in 1918 in Stroud, Oklahoma, and moved with her family to the Central Valley of California in 1936 as part of the Dust Bowl migration. She lived in the Central Valley, primarily in Tulare, for the remainder of her life. Known as an "Okie Folk poet," she is the author of over fifteen collections of poetry and prose, most dealing with aspects of life in the Central Valley. She was the subject of a film documentary by Chris Simon, "Down an Old Road: the Poetic Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel." She died April 13, 2007.

    Scope and Contents of Collection

    This collection includes personal and professional correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, photographs, newspaper clippings and audio-visual materials documenting the life and career of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. Also included are publications containing poetry by Wilma McDaniel and select publications from her personal library. The audio-visual materials include interviews and scenes of Wilma McDaniel reading her poetry.

    Preferred Citation

    The Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel Papers, MSS 001, Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Merced Library, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343.

    Acquisition Information

    Gift of Lillian Vallee, Trustee of the Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel Literary Estate, 2008.

    Publication Rights

    Publication rights to Wilma McDaniel's literary works are held by Jim Chlebda.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    McDaniel, Wilma Elizabeth, 1918-2007
    California--Poetry.
    California--Fiction.