Description
Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was an author, critic, poet, teacher, translator and active member of San Francisco's cultural,
political, and
poetry scenes from the 1930s through the 1960s. The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, and ephemera by and about
Rexroth, and members of his circle.
Background
Born December 22, 1905 in South Bend, Indiana; campaigned for many radical groups, particularly the Wobblies (Industrial Workers
of the World), and espoused eroticism and general anarchy; influenced by poet William Carlos Williams and the Second Chicago
Renaissance; founded San Francisco
Poetry Center with Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Allen Ginsberg; although his Bohemian lifestyle was emulated by Beats, he did not like
the movement for its artistic excess and lack of rigor; noted as an accomplished painter with one-man shows throughout the
world; translated poems from the Chinese and Japanese languages; died June 6, 1982 in Montecito, California.Kenneth Rexroth (22 Dec. 1905- 6 June 1982) was born in Southwest Indiana. His family lived in various Midwestern cities until
he was orphaned in 1919, and moved in with an aunt in Chicago. Rexroth pursued a vigorous self-education while working odd
jobs, backpacking across the country, and writing
poetry; his early work was strongly influenced by Chicago's Second Renaissance. He married Andrée Schafer in 1927, and the couple
moved to San Francisco. During the early 1930s, Rexroth became involved in the Communist party's John Reed Clubs. During this
time he developed friendships with other leftist poets. In the mid-1930s, Rexroth participated in the Federal Writers' Project,
and published some of his
poetry in journals and little magazines. His lifelong friendship with prominent New Directions publisher James Laughlin was established at this time.
Extent
77.0 linear feet
(154 boxes and 5 oversize boxes)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
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