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George W. Norvell collection on Vachel Lindsay

 Collection
Identifier: OU-SC-VL

Scope and Contents note

The George W. Norvell collection consists of correspondence and other items kept by Norvell about his interactions with Vachel Lindsay following Lindsay's stay at the Norvell's home. The correspondence series contains letters from Vachel Lindsay, his wife Elizabeth Lindsay, and George Norvell. The clippings series contains newspaper clippings, flyers, and a dust-jacket of Lindsay's 1925 Collected Poems. The photograph series contains prints and negatives of Lindsay and his family. Lindsay also gave the Norvells a copy of his Collected Poems (Bk. Rm. PS 3523 .I58 A17 1927) in which he wrote the third draft of a poem he composed while staying at their house. The first rough draft of the same poem is included in the correspondence.

Dates

  • 1930 - 1936

Access and Use note

The George W. Norvell collection on Vachel Lindsay is open for research.

Copyright

Copyright has not been transferred to Oakland University. Researchers are responsible for seeking copyright permissions before publishing items from the collection.

Biographical note

Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931) was an American poet who wrote poems that had powerful rhythms and could be sung and performed. His goal was to revive poetry as an oral art form for ordinary people. He toured the United States to give poetry performances and was extremely successful, especially from 1914-1920.

In October 1930 Lindsay spent some time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Norvell in Albany. Norvell was Supervisor of English for the New York Department of Education. They became friends and stayed in contact until his death.

Extent

0.3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence, unpublished poem, and clippings documenting the last months of poet Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931) through his relationships with the Norvell family. In October 1930 Lindsay spent some time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Norvell in Albany. They became friends and stayed in contact until his death.

Processing

Processed by Dominique Daniel, February 2020

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Oakland University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester MI 48309 USA