Collection contains the following: Correspondence to Urmy from publishers concerning his poetry. 1897-1922 (ca. 35 items) ; correspondence primarily to Mabel Urmy Seares from many sources largely concerning Clarence's works and various memorials set up in his honor. A number of these are from Alfred Lindsay and Helen Millar Lehman. (ca. 60 items) ; manuscript and typescript of his poems and collected volumes (ca. 100 items) ; clippings of his works in print, both poetry and prose, criticism of music and drams by Urmy, and a number of clippings about him, including programs etc. (ca. 260 items) ; six photographs of Urmy ; scrapbook of autographs ; biography of Urmy by Mabel Urmy Seares ; Ina Coolbrith letters, poems, and clippings (ca. 7 items).

Poet Clarence Urmy (1858-1923) was born in San Francisco on July 10, 1858. He was the grandson of Elea Thomas who was one of the founders of the Methodist church in the state of California. Urmy's father was a Methodist minister for 50 years. Urmy attended San Francisco public schools and then Napa College where he studied music and received a bachelor's degree. He worked for a number of years in music houses including Sherman and Clay in San Francisco. Urmy continued to study voice at this time and did some performing in San Francisco and San Jose. He was the organist at Santa Clara Methodist Church and later at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Jose. He taught piano at the College of the Pacific and four years at San Jose Teachers' College.

2 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

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