mss0099_0756.xml Finding aid for Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight1973–1981 University of Delaware Library, Special Collections University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Date encoded (2007 December 06) Finding aid encoded 2007 December 06 English Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight 1973–1981 Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
 McClure, Michael. Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight 1973–1981 MSS 099, F756 39 items Correspondence exchanged between American Beat poet Michael McClure and Arthur and Kit Knight. Materials entirely in English. University of Delaware Library - Special Collections Source

Purchase, August 2005.

 Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

 Citation

MSS 099, F756, Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

 Shelving Summary Shelved in SPEC MSS 099 Processing

Processed by Karalee Kopreski, October 2005. Encoded by Anita Wellner, December 2007.

 Biographical Note

San Francisco-based Beat poet and playwright Michael McClure was born in Marysville, Kansas, in 1932. His collections of poetry include Star (1970), September Blackberries (1974), Jaguar Skies (1975) and Antechamber (1978). McClure’s plays are in the avant-garde tradition and include The Beard (1965), Gargoyle Cartoons (1971), Gorf (1971) and Josephine: The Mouse Singer (1980). McClure received several honors and awards, including an Obie for Josephine: The Mouse Singer, the Pushcart Prize for Poetry (1991), and an award for lifetime achievement in poetry from the National Poetry Association (1993).

"Michael (Thomas) McClure." Contemporary Authors Online (reproduced in Biography Resource Center). http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC (accessed October 2005).

Scope and Content Note

The Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight contains 39 items spanning the dates 1973–1981. The collection includes letters from Arthur and Kit Knight to Michael McClure, as well as letters from McClure to the Knights. Arthur Knight, an author whose writing explores the work of the Beat poets, was also the editor of the unspeakable visions of the individual (TUVOTI) with his third wife, Glee, from 1971 until her death in 1975. He continued editing the unspeakable visions of the individual with his fourth wife, Tiffany Carolyn (“Kit”), from 1976–1988. The letters contain discussions of Beat publications, upcoming editions ofthe unspeakable visions of the individual, and critical commentary on art and literature. The letters primarily convey an intellectual and professional relationship, although they also contain hints of a more personal relationship as well. It should be noted that the letters before 1975 are from Arthur and Glee Knight, whereas the letters after 1975 are from Arthur and Kit (his fourth wife, Tiffany Carolyn). One undated letter from McClure can be dated to before 1975 since it is addressed to Arthur and Glee.

 Selected Search Terms Title Unspeakable visions of the individual. Topical Terms Beat generation--History--Sources. Form/Genre Terms Letters (correspondence) Occupation Poets. Editors. Personal Contributors Knight, Kit. Knight, Arthur. Knight, Glee, 1947- Detailed Contents List 49 F756 Michael McClure correspondence with Arthur and Kit Knight 1973–1981 39 items

The collection is arranged in two small groups; letters from the Knights to McClure and letters from McClure to the Knights. Both small groups are arranged chronologically. Four letters, 1973–1975, are from Arthur and Glee Knight to McClure.