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