Witter Bynner Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS-681-BC
Scope and Content
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.
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
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is 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
Witter Bynner, poet, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1881; at age 7, he moved with his family to Brookline, MA. He graduated from Harvard University in 1902 , having served on the editorial board of the Harvard Advocate from 1900-1902. Bynner then spent 4 years as associate editor for McClure's Magazine. Byner quit regular employment and began writing poetry full-time in 1908. Under the pseudonym Emanuel Morgan, he collaborated with Arthur Davidson Ficke in writing Spectra (1917), a book parodying contemporary poetic vogues such as imagism, which was for a time considered a serious work. Bynner was elected President of the Poetry Society of America (1921-1923) and traveled extensively in the Orient, where he became influenced by Chinese poetry. After an extensive tour of the Orient, he moved to Santa Fe, N.M., where he continued to write poetry. Bynner became a central figure in the arts communities of Santa Fe and Taos. He died in Santa Fe in 1968.
Extent
1 box ( .35 cu. ft.)
Abstract
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.
Separated Material
Palms (Guadalajara, Mexico) has been transferred to the CSWR book collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Witter Bynner Collection, 1949-1995 (bulk, 1953-1984)
- Status
- For Approval
- Author
- Processed by B. Silbergleit
- Date
- ©2002
- 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 681 BC::Witter Bynner Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss681bc.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