Norman Macleod Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-347-BC
Scope and Content
This collection contains two volumes of the Pembroke Magazine edited by Macleod and containing installments of his memoirs. It also contains a large quantity of correspondence regarding the publication of Pembroke Magazine, particularly that between Macleod and the art editor of the magazine, Kris Hotvedt. Most of the letters (whether written by or to Kris Hotvedt) are annotated by Macleod. Some of these annotations are helpful in identifying individuals referred to in the letters. There is also a great deal of correspondence between Macleod and Norman Holmes Pearson of Yale (usually regarding Pembroke Magazine or Macleods collected papers housed in the archives at Yale). Of particular use to researchers of Norman Macleod is a written sketch of this man by Kris Hotvedt in which she quotes Macleods son (Norman Jr.) As saying, "Dad has always burned the candle at both ends and used a blow torch in the middle." The collection also contains correspondence to and about contributors to Pembroke Magazine such as Navajo artist Grey Cohoe, poet Kay Boyle, author Frank Waters, poet Archibald Macleish, Scottish poet W.S. Graham, author Arthur Miller, and poet and former student of Macleod, Kregg Spivey. The collection contains one unpublished poem by Norman Macleod.
Dates
- 1971-1975
Creator
- Macleod, Norman, 1906-1985 (Person)
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
Norman Wicklund Macleod was born in Salem, Oregon in 1906. His tumultuous life, involving numerous failed marriages and problems with alcoholism, was marked by his literary accomplishments. He received his B.A. at the University of New Mexico in 1930. Encouraged by his second wife, Vivienne Koch, Macleod earned his M.A. in the teaching of English from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1936. He was influential to students in the fields of creative writing and poetry. Indeed, his own strengths were in these fields and he promoted such creativity in others through his teaching and his founding of the YMHA (Young Mens Hebrew Association) in New York in 1939. As early as the 1930s, Macleod publicly attacked racism and fought for minority rights. He authored two novels (You Get What You Ask For, 1939, The Bitter Roots, 1941), seven volumes of poetry (Horizons of Death, 1934, Thanksgiving Before November, 1936, We Thank You All the Time, 1941, A Man in Midpassage, 1947, Pure as Nowhere, 1952, Selected Poems, 1975, and The Distance, 1977), and edited nine literary magazines (including Jackass,Palo Verde,Front,Maryland Quarterly, and the Briarcliff Quarterly).
His most recent editing work took place with Pembroke Magazine, published out of Pembroke State University, North Carolina, where Macleod served as poet-in-residence later in his life. This magazine featured poetry by students, former students, and faculty of Pembroke State University, as well as by well known poets. Among the poets featured are W.S Graham, Simon Ortiz, and William Carlos Williams. It also featured art by R.C. Gorman, Gene Locklear, Georgia OKeeffe, and Kris Hotvedt, Santa Fe artist with whom Macleod carried on a lengthy correspondence. Pembroke Magazine also featured Macleods memoirs, "I Never Lost Anything in Istanbul," published in installments. Macleod noted that the purpose of this literary magazine was to "stimulate, encourage, and publish the best writers on this campus and others in North Carolina, and also to publish work of literary interest by Pembroke faculty and by nationally known writers." Others considered that the strength of the magazine was in its focus on publishing the poetic and artistic works of artists of ethnic minorities.
Macleod was the recipient of the 1973 Horace Gregory Award from the New School of Social research in New York, created "to honor distinguished emeritus faculty members in American who have combined careers as classroom teachers with creative achievement in the field of letters."Among Macleods friends, colleagues, and contemporaries are William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound, Langston Hughes, Upton Sinclair, D.H. Lawrence, and Kay Boyle. Macleod resided for some time in New Mexico, and this is reflected in the themes common to his poetry.
His most recent editing work took place with Pembroke Magazine, published out of Pembroke State University, North Carolina, where Macleod served as poet-in-residence later in his life. This magazine featured poetry by students, former students, and faculty of Pembroke State University, as well as by well known poets. Among the poets featured are W.S Graham, Simon Ortiz, and William Carlos Williams. It also featured art by R.C. Gorman, Gene Locklear, Georgia OKeeffe, and Kris Hotvedt, Santa Fe artist with whom Macleod carried on a lengthy correspondence. Pembroke Magazine also featured Macleods memoirs, "I Never Lost Anything in Istanbul," published in installments. Macleod noted that the purpose of this literary magazine was to "stimulate, encourage, and publish the best writers on this campus and others in North Carolina, and also to publish work of literary interest by Pembroke faculty and by nationally known writers." Others considered that the strength of the magazine was in its focus on publishing the poetic and artistic works of artists of ethnic minorities.
Macleod was the recipient of the 1973 Horace Gregory Award from the New School of Social research in New York, created "to honor distinguished emeritus faculty members in American who have combined careers as classroom teachers with creative achievement in the field of letters."Among Macleods friends, colleagues, and contemporaries are William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound, Langston Hughes, Upton Sinclair, D.H. Lawrence, and Kay Boyle. Macleod resided for some time in New Mexico, and this is reflected in the themes common to his poetry.
Extent
1 box (1 cu. ft.)
Abstract
This collection is comprised of correspondence and papers pertaining to Norman Wicklund Macleod, poet, editor, professor, and author. Most materials in the collection pertain to The Pembroke Magazine.
Creator
- Macleod, Norman, 1906-1985 (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Norman Macleod Papers, 1971-1975
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by K. Stocker
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 347 BC::Norman Macleod Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss347bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu