Description
Papers of Donald Allen, an important editor who had a significant impact on the development of post WWII American poetry.
The Donald Allen Collection consists of materials pertaining to the editorial work at Grove Press, Four Seasons Foundation,
Grey Fox Press, and to special projects Allen did for the University of California, Penguin and St. James presses; materials
produced by and regarding the poet Frank O'Hara; papers written by Allen at the Universities of Iowa and California, Berkeley;
and finally a substantial correspondence with many of the most important writers and editors in America during the last twenty
five years. The addition processed in 1991 contains manuscript and typescript materials related to the Four Seasons Foundation
publication of
Interviews (1980) by Edward Dorn and
The Graces (1983) by Aaron Shurin; and the Grey Fox Press publication of
Enough Said (1980) by Philip Whalen and
I Remain (1980), a collection of Lew Welch's letters. The addition processed in 2011 enhances the earlier accessions with additional
press files, correspondence, as well as Allen's personal subject files.
Background
Donald Allen, one of the most influential editors and publishers of contemporary American literature, was born in Iowa in
1912. During the Second World War he was a Japanese translator, and then became an editor at Grove Press, where he stayed
for sixteen years. Allen devoted his career to making innovative writing available to the public. He has edited several important
anthologies of contemporary American writing and has published the work of many important poets through his two presses.
Extent
48 Linear feet
(105 archives boxes, 1 records carton, 1 card file box, 34 oversize folders)