Skip to main content

Typescript - "'By Nature a Sociable Fellow' A Study of the Life and Literary Relationships of Witter Bynner." Thesis by Ortner., 1949-1995 (bulk, 1953-1984)

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 11

Scope and Content

From the Collection: This is a collection of materials, generated and gathered by Evelyn Jacobs Ortner. Much of the collection pertains to Ortner's research for her M.A. thesis, "'By Nature a Sociable Fellow' A Study of the Life and Literary Relationships of Witter Bynner" (Drew University, 1973) . The core of the collection consists of correspondence by, about, and to Witter Bynner.

Ortner's correspondence with Bynner, dates from 1953-1964. The conversations between them shed light Bynner's writings and writing process, as well as on the literary and arts scene of the time. Bynner writes to Ortner from his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico as well as Chapala, Mexico. Their letters also provide insight into personal issues, such as health and relationships.

Ortner also corresponded with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances of Bynner, including Dorothy Chauvenet, Idella Purnell Stone, Horatio Colony, Margaret Haley Carpenter, Hildegaard Flannery, Cyril Clemens, and Andrew Dasburg. Correspondence from these individuals provides personal recollections of Bynner and his social circle, which included Haniel Long, Sara Teasdale, Paul Horgan, D. H. Lawrence, and others. Ortner became friendly with Chauvenet and Stone during the course of her research, and carried on a personal relationship with them beyond the subject of Bynner. Chauvenet was Bynner's longtime personal secretary and Stone was Bynner's student, then colleague and friend, as well as founder and editor of Palms, a poetry magazine pubished in Mexico. Stone sent Ortner some of her personal correspondence with Bynner, as well as a typescript of her own collection of poetry, "Letter to Adam," and a reprint of an article about Palms, which are also included in the collection. Finally, the collection contains a copy of Ortner's thesis.

Dates

  • 1949-1995 (bulk, 1953-1984)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 1 box ( .35 cu. ft.)

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451