The Barry Gifford Papers comprise more than forty-eight boxes of archival material, the vast majority of which related to the publication process of Gifford's many books. The largest subseries is composed of manuscript material, including correspondence with publishers and editors, typewritten and handwritten drafts of books, and research materials. As well, there are fifteen boxes of Gifford's notebooks, which contain partial drafts of books as well as individual poems, journal entries, and memoranda. There is also a significant file of correspondence, notable primarily for the six boxes of letters Gifford wrote to his longtime friend and associate, bookseller Marshall Clements. Finally, the collection contains copies of books and other published material used in his research.

Poet, biographer, novelist, memoirist, and essayist, Barry Gifford was born October 18, 1946 in Chicago to Adolph, a pharmacist, and Dorothy Colby Gifford, a model. He was raised in Chicago and in Key West and Tampa, Florida. Gifford attended the University of Missouri where he played baseball. After leaving college, Gifford served in the Air Force Reserves, and worked variously as a merchant seaman, musician, journalist, editor, and truck driver.

57 Linear Feet : 57 boxes ; 1 map folder

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Access is unrestricted to the processed segment (25 linear feet) of the collection. An additional 16 linear feet purchased in 2002, 13 linear feet purchased in 2005, and 3 linear feet purchased in 2016 are closed until processing is complete. One record storage box, currently on deposit, is also been restricted.