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Guide to the Pamela Alexander papers, 1970-1997, n.d.


Historical Note

Scope and Content Note

Organization and Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Separated Material

Administrative Information

Series Description

Writings, ca. 1970-1996, n.d.

Correspondence from John Tagliabue, 1982-1988

Publications, 1970-1997, n.d.

Publicity, 1988-1997, n.d.

Collection Summary

Title Pamela Alexander papers
Creator Alexander, Pamela, 1948-
Dates 1970-1997, n.d.
Extent 1 linear foot
Collection ID MC012
Abstract Poems, correspondence, and other writings of published poet Pamela Alexander (Bates Class of 1970). The collection includes a significant amount of letters with John Tagliabue, Alexander's professor at Bates College.
Repository Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College

Historical Note

Pamela Alexander was born in 1948 and graduated from Bates College in 1970 and received her M.F.A. from the University of Iowa's Writer's Workshop in 1973. In 1984 she won the Yale Younger Poets award for Navigable Waterways, which was published the following year. Her second book Commonwealth of Wings: An Ornithological Biography was published by Wesleyan University Press in 1991. In 1996 she was awarded the Iowa Poetry Prize for Inland, which was published in 1997. Alexander has taught at the writing program at MIT and the Iowa Writer's Workshop. She has been awarded fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and the Fine Arts Work Center, among others. She currently teaches at Oberlin College and is the poetry columnist for the Boston Book Review.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection includes drafts and proofs of Alexander's first three published books, Navigable Waterways, Commonwealth of Wings: an ornithological biography based on the life of John James Audubon, and Inland, as well as drafts of various poems that may or may not have been included in the books. Some of the drafts include written comments by the author and by others, and reveal development of the work. There are also manuscripts of three short stories written by Alexander and a manuscript entitled "A Standing Wave Is a Mountain." Also included is a writing journal (1978-1981), class notes from a Shakespeare course taught by Bates College Professor John Tagliabue, and background research on John James Audubon used for her book Commonwealth of Wings.

The collection also contains a substantial body of correspondence from John Tagliabue; photocopies of several of Alexander's poems published in various journals as well as reviews of her work; and a videocassette "Tribute to Allen Ginsberg," in which Ms. Alexander took part. There are also publicity posters and three photographs of the author taken at a book signing for Inland.

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Organization and Arrangement

Organized into four series: I. Writings; II. Correspondence from John Tagliabue; III. Publications; and IV. Publicity.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Pamela Alexander has retained copyright in the materials she created. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

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Related Material

John Tagliabue papers, Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, http://www.bates.edu/muskie-archives/EADFindingAids/MC065.html

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Separated Material

"One Side of the River," CD has been cataloged as part of the Bates Authors collection.

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Index Terms

These records are indexed under the following headings in the Bates College Library catalog. Researchers wishing to find related materials should search the catalog under these index terms.



Personal Names:

Tagliabue, John, 1923-

Topical Subjects:

Poetry -- 20th century

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Administrative Information

Acquisition and Custody Information

Gift of Pamela Alexander, 1993, 2001. Accession No.: xx-036, 01-010.

Preferred Citation

Pamela Alexander papers, Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College.

Processing Information

Processed by Mary Riley, 1993.

Final arrangement and description by Kurt Kuss, Special Collections Librarian, 1999.

Accrual processed by Elaine Ardia, Archives Assistant, 2001.

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Series Description

MC012/01: Writings, ca. 1970-1996, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
This series includes drafts and proofs of her three published books, Navigable Waterways, Commonwealth of Wings and Inland. Drafts and an unpublished manuscript that became the Commonwealth of Wings are entitled Ornithological Biography. Also included are drafts of various poems which may or may not have been included in the books. Some of the drafts of her work include written comments by the author and others, and reveal development of the work. The series also contains manuscripts of three short stories, "August Tiger", "Literati at Large", and "Saved" and a manuscript entitled "A Standing Wave is a Mountain." Also includes Alexander's writing journal, background research on John James Audubon used for her book Commonwealth of Wings, and class notes from a Shakespeare course taught by Bates College Professor John Tagliabue.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
MC012/02: Correspondence from John Tagliabue, 1982-1988
Scope and Content Note
This series contains substantial correspondence from John Tagliabue, professor of English at Bates College.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
MC012/03: Publications, 1970-1997, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains reviews of her work and photocopies of poems published in various journals. Also includes a photocopy of an artist's book done by internationally recognized lettering and book artist Nancy Leavitt, who based one of her works on Alexander's poem, "Table of Elements."
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
MC012/04: Publicity, 1988-1997, n.d.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains assorted material, including flyers, brochures and posters publicizing her books and poetry readings and participation in writing conferences. Also includes a videocassette, "Tribute to Allen Ginsberg," in which Ms. Alexander took part and three photographs of the author taken at a book signing for Inland.
See map case for posters. DVD copy of "Tribute to Allen Ginsberg" is available in listening room.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
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Page author: Jim Hart
Date: 12/09/2007


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