Emmett Langdon Avery Papers, 1947-1962

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Avery, Emmett Langdon, 1903-1970.
Title
Emmett Langdon Avery Papers
Dates
1947-1962 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.5 Linear feet of shelf space, (1 Box)
Collection Number
Cage 121 (collection)
Summary
Correspondence, research notes, drafts and other papers of Emmett Langdon Avery related to his research on poet Vachel Lindsay and his residence in Spokane, Washington.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Emmett Langdon Avery (1903-1970), professor of English at Washington State University, conducted extensive research about a particular period during the life of American poet Nicholas Vachel Lindsay. Avery was interested in a time during the 1920s when Lindsay moved to Spokane, where he lived for several years. Avery published three articles on the subject, in 1949, 1957, and 1962.

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay was born on November 19, 1879, in Springfield Illinois. He attended Ohio's Hirman College, the Chicago Institute of Art, and the New York School of Art. Upon leaving school he toured for several years, both being supported by his parents and bartering his own work or poetry for room and board. Vachel Lindsay moved to Spokane, Washington in July of 1924, and lived there until 1929. It was there that he met and married Elizabeth Conner. He died at his home in Springfield, Illinois on December 5, 1931.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence, research notes, drafts and other papers of Washington State University professor Emmett Langdon Avery related to his research on poet Vachel Lindsay and his residence in Spokane, Washington.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Emmett Langdon Avery Papers, 1947-1962 (Cage 121)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Emmett Langdon Avery's research materials on Nicholas Vachel Lindsay were donated by Dr. Avery to the Washington State University Library in 1962.

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Terry Abraham in October, 1971.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
1 1 "Vachel Lindsay in Spokane, 1924-1929." [a 3 p. mimeographed chronology of Lindsay's career in Spokane with research queries and responses in manuscript]
2 items.
1 1 "Vachel Lindsay's 'Poem-Games' in Spokane." Reprinted from Research Studies, 30:3, September, 1962. 109-114.
1 item.
1 1 "Vachel Lindsay in Spokane." [drafts, carbons and manuscripts] Letter to Edith R. Mirrielees, editor, The Pacific Spectator, May 2, 1949, submitting essay: Vachel Lindsay in Spokane. [carbon]
3 items.
1 2 Letters received re: Vachel Lindsay, 1947, 1949. Correspondents: Anita Schnebly, Elizabeth C. Lindsay, Henry A. Pierce, E.O. James, Radford Kuykendall, George H. Greenwood, Russell W. Davenport, Walter Blair, Edith C. Haight, Lenore Offord, Helen L. Hawkins, H.G. Merriam. Included is a copy of a chatty letter from Vachel Lindsay to E. Olan James, January 21, 1927. 4 p. typescript.
17 items.
1 3 Letters sent re: Vachel Lindsay, 1947, 1949. Correspondents: B. H. Kizer, George H. Greenwood, Mrs. R.W. Schnebly, Fabian Smith, Charles A. Pease, H.G. Merriam, E.O. James, Mrs. Hannah Hawkins, George Greenwood, Mrs. H. R. Offord, Walter Blair, Edith Haight, Russel Davenport, Henry Pierce, Mrs. Elizabeth Lindsay. [Generally carbons of form letters requesting information.]
29 items.
1 4 Program, April 23, 1926, "Vachel Lindsay in a recital of his poems," Kalamazoo, Michigan.
[2 1eaves, portrait]
1 5 Baily, Joe. "Vachel Lindsay's Spokane visit." Clipping, Spokesman-Review, Inland Empire Magazine, April 15, 1951.
1 leaf, illustrated
1 5 Brochure, The Vachel Lindsay Association, Springfield, Illinois, undated.
2 leaves, illustrated
1 5 Lindsay, Vachel. "On the building of Springfield." [no publisher listed], undated
4 leaves, folio, portrait
1 5 "King Solomon, King Soloman, Bowing mos' politely, we were the oxen".
1 leaf, Torn scrap of manuscript sheet music, words and music in pencil.
1 6 Research notes for "Vachel Lindsay in Spokane."
approximately 150 leaves, manuscript
1 7 Lindsay, Vachel. "Harriet Monroe, high priestess of new poetry, will talk here." Spokesman-Review. 1926 March 14.
1 clipping
1 7 Williams, Bob. [List of Lindsay's articles in the Chronicle, 1928-1929] May 22, 1967.
1 manuscript
Note- The text of the columns plus commentary on them and Lindsay's residence in Spokane is available in: Gilliland, Marshall. Vachel Lindsay: Poet and newspaper columnist in Spokane, 1924-1929. Pullman, WSU American Studies, 1968. (Thesis)
1 8 Lindsay, Vachel. [Selected poems. Phonodisc] Vachel Lindsay reading his poem[s] [New York] Columbia University Press, 1932. (Columbia University Phonograph Record no. 1-3) Originally recorded for William Cabell Greet from the author's Selected Poems (Macmillan, 1931). Also phonotape, (transcription)
3 s. 9 1/2 in. 78 rpm. ; 1 reel (5 in.) 3 3/4 ips

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors, American -- 20th century -- Homes and haunts -- Washington (State) -- Spokane.

Personal Names

  • Avery, Emmett Langdon, 1903-1970 -- Archives.
  • Lindsay, Vachel, 1879-1931 -- Criticism and interpretation.
  • Lindsay, Vachel, 1879-1931 -- Homes and haunts -- Washington (State) -- Spokane.