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Pearce (Roy Harvey) Papers
MSS 0143  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Restrictions
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biography
  • Scope and Contents of Collection
  • Publication Rights
  • OFF-SITE STORAGE

  • Descriptive Summary

    Languages: English
    Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
    9500 Gilman Drive
    La Jolla 92093-0175
    Title: Roy Harvey Pearce Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0143
    Physical Description: 12.6 Linear feet (33 archives boxes, 2 oversize folders)
    Date (inclusive): 1945-1995
    Abstract: Papers of scholar, critic, and founder of the UCSD literature department and the Archive for New Poetry. Included is correspondence regarding a wide variety of topics, for example, Jack Spicer research and the creation of the poetry archive. Correspondents include Robert Bly, David Ignatow, and Marshall McLuhan. Also included are a number of Pearce's scholarly projects (including the "Transcendental Workbook") and notes for several lectures.

    Restrictions

    In accordance with federal and state laws, confidential correspondence in boxes 3 & 7, as well as the Manuscript Reading Reports in box 32, are restricted until the year 2070.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired 1986, 1998, 1999 and 2007.

    Preferred Citation

    Roy Harvey Pearce Papers, MSS 143. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

    Biography

    Roy Harvey Pearce has had a long and distinguished career in the field of literature. The founding father of both the UCSD literature department and the UCSD Archive for New Poetry, Pearce has also taught at the Ohio State University, UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, and the Claremont Graduate School. He is the author of The Savages of America/Savagism in Civilization (1953/1983), The Continuity of American Poetry (1961), Hawthorne Centenary Essays (1964), Historicism Once More (1969), and Gesta Humanorum: Studies in the Historicist Mode, as well as being the editor of Colonial American Writing (1950) and a general editor of The Centenary Edition of the Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1962).

    Scope and Contents of Collection

    Accession Processed in 1995
    The Roy Harvey Pearce correspondence and subject files contain abundant correspondence with writers and scholars, typescripts, holograph notes, and manuscripts related to scholarly projects and lectures. Included are correspondence with notable figures such as Robert Bly, Clayton Eshleman, and the Canadian communications theorist, Marshall McLuhan. Subject files contain a wide variety of material: notes on the opening of Mandeville Center, correspondence and research regarding Jack Spicer, and a meticulously compiled "Transcendental Workbook."
    The collection is organized into four series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) SCHOLARLY PROJECTS, 3) ARCHIVE FOR NEW POETRY, and 4) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
    SERIES 1: CORRESPONDENCE
    This series spans the years 1945 to 1989. Some of the Pearce's correspondents include Cid Corman, Jorge Guillen, David Ignatow, W.S. Merwin, Marianne Moore, and Theodore Roethke.
    SERIES 2: SCHOLARLY PROJECTS
    This series contains Pearce's bicentennial lecture on "The Poetry of the American Revolution," his notes for the opening of Mandeville Center, research and correspondence regarding Jack Spicer, and an assemblage of Kenneth Cameron's "Transcendental Workbook." Included in this workbook are information regarding and reprints from Emerson, Thoreau, and Swedenborg. In loose connection with the workbook, there is a typescript reminiscence by Mrs. A. G. Ayers of her experience with Dr. William Carlos Williams.
    SERIES 3: ARCHIVE FOR NEW POETRY
    This series contains correspondence from the years 1973 to 1984 regarding the establishment and continuation of the Archive for New Poetry at UCSD. Much of the correspondence is administrative in nature, yet the supportive and enthusiastic voices of many scholars and poets shine through and the diligent collaboration of Michael Davidson with Pearce is particularly clear.
    SERIES 4: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
    This series houses three very discreet items: a photocopy of the poem/essay "Between the University and State" by Bea Cameron; a typescript copy of Gary Snyder's "Poetry and the Primitive;" and miscellaneous notes on Yvor Winters.
    Accession Processed in 2003
    The accession processed in 2003 contains correspondence with scholars, colleagues, writers, and students; lecture notes and teaching materials for literature courses taught at UCSD; administrative memoranda; and subject files. The materials are arranged in five series: 5) CORRESPONDENCE, 6) WRITINGS, 7) TEACHING MATERIALS, 8) SUBJECT FILES, and 9) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
    SERIES 5: CORRESPONDENCE
    The CORRESPONDENCE series (1963-1995) is arranged alphabetically by correspondent and includes correspondence with David Ignatow, Alan Filreis, Glen MacLeod, and California Assemblyman John Vasconcellos. Typescript versions of writings by David Ignatow and Arnold Krupat are included with their correspondence files.
    SERIES 6: WRITINGS
    The WRITINGS series contains only two folders: Letters to the Editor and administrative limericks.
    SERIES 7: TEACHING MATERIAL
    The TEACHING MATERIALS series is arranged numerically by course (1947-1990) and includes lecture notes, syllabi, course descriptions, library reserve lists, handouts, midterm examinations, final examinations and student papers for courses that Pearce taught.
    SERIES 8: SUBJECT FILES
    The SUBJECT FILES series is arranged alphabetically by subject or institution and documents administrative correspondence and activities, scholarly endeavors, grant proposals from other scholars, and job offers.
    SERIES 9: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
    The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series includes commemorative mementos and a photograph of Pearce.
    Accession Processed in 2007
    The accession processed in 2007 contains correspondence with scholars, colleagues, writers, and students; published books, articles and reviews; editorial projects; manuscript reading reports for different presses; talks and conferences; writings of others; and miscellaneous materials. The accession is arranged in eleven series: 10) CORRESPONDENCE, 11) BOOKS, 12) ARTICLES AND ESSAYS, 13) REVIEWS, 14) EDITORIAL PROJECTS, 15) PUBLISHING AGREEMENTS, 16) TALKS AND READINGS, 17) TEACHING MATERIALS, 18) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 19) MANUSCRIPT READING REPORTS, and 20) ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.
    SERIES 10: CORRESPONDENCE
    The CORRESPONDENCE series (1947-1990) is arranged alphabetically by correspondent and includes correspondence with David Ignatow, Americo Castro, Stephen Gilman, and California Assemblyman John Vasconcellos. Typescript versions of writings by Daniel Hoffman, Stephen Gilman and Donald Wesling are included with their correspondence files. Also included are photographs and a memorial program for Robert Elliott service.
    SERIES 11: BOOKS
    The BOOKS series includes original drafts, typescripts, manuscripts, mimeograph copies, handwritten notes, and corrections; organized according to the year of publication.
    SERIES 12: ARTICLES AND ESSAYS
    The ARTICLES AND ESSAYS series includes manuscript drafts, typescripts and reprints of articles written for a variety of literary publication.
    SERIES 13: REVIEWS
    This series contains book reviews by Pearce published in different periodicals.
    SERIES 14: EDITORIAL PROJECTS
    The EDITORIAL PROJECTS series is arranged chronologically and includes manuscripts, typescripts and correspondence with scholars and writers whose works appeared in books and literary periodicals, which Pearce edited or co-edited.
    SERIES 15: PUBLISHING AGREEMENTS
    The PUBLISHING AGREEMENTS series includes contracts signed with different presses regarding books written, edited, and co-edited by Pearce. The series is arranged chronologically.
    SERIES 16: TALKS AND READINGS
    The TALKS AND READINGS series is arranged chronologically and includes programs, invitations, correspondence, and drafts of presentations given at meetings and conferences. Also includes a typescript of a radio program broadcast by UC Berkeley Radio Service in 1948.
    SERIES 17: TEACHING MATERIALS
    The TEACHING MATERIALS series is arranged in three subseries: A) Class Materials, B) Lecture Notes - Topics, C) Lecture Notes - Authors. The subseries Class Materials (1946-1970) is arranged chronologically and includes lecture notes, syllabi, course descriptions, library reserve lists, and midterm and final examinations for courses that Pearce taught. The Lecture Notes - Topics subseries is arranged alphabetically and includes handwritten notes and typescripts of lectures given by Pearce on different subjects. The Lecture Notes - Authors subseries is arranged alphabetically and includes handwritten notes and typescripts of lectures given on different authors.
    SERIES 18: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
    The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series includes dissertation subjects, Ph.D. exam questions, poems and poem fragments, and handwritten notes on different subjects and authors.
    SERIES 19: MANUSCRIPT READING REPORTS
    The MANUSCRIPT READING REPORTS series includes reports commissioned by different presses. These reports are restricted until 2070.
    SERIES 20: ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES
    The ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES series contains the originals of brittle or high acid content documents that have been photocopied.

    Publication Rights

    Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

    OFF-SITE STORAGE

    COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Transcendentalism (New England)
    American literature
    Wright, James, 1927-1980 -- Correspondence
    Tomlinson, Charles, 1927-2015 -- Correspondence
    Corman, Cid -- Correspondence
    Talamantez, Inés -- Correspondence
    Hall, Donald, 1928-2018 -- Correspondence
    Stafford, William, 1914-1993 -- Correspondence
    Eshleman, Clayton -- Correspondence
    Economou, George -- Correspondence
    Roethke, Theodore, 1908-1963 -- Correspondence
    Merwin, W. S. (William Stanley), 1927- -- Correspondence
    McLuhan, Marshall, 1911-1980 -- Correspondence
    Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977 -- Correspondence
    Crews, Judson -- Correspondence
    Guillén, Jorge, 1893-1984 -- Correspondence
    Hoffman, Daniel, 1923-2013 -- Correspondence
    Ignatow, David, 1914-1997 -- Correspondence
    Bly, Robert -- Correspondence
    Pearce, Roy Harvey -- Archives
    Rothenberg, Jerome, 1931- -- Correspondence
    Miles, Josephine, 1911-1985 -- Correspondence
    Archive for New Poetry (University of California, San Diego)
    Moore, Marianne, 1887-1972 -- Correspondence