Thomas Merton papers

Scope and Contents

The Articles with reference to Merton series is a collection of writings about the monk. After the Second World War his teachings were very popular in the United States. National secular and religious publications discussed Merton's monastic theology as well as his anti nuclear war opinions. Articles included in the series were found in Time, Life, as well as the Catholic Worker.

Scope and Contents

Abbey of Gethsemani and Merton series includes materials about projects at the monastery and of Thomas Merton. The Abbey of Gethsemani has more than 2,000 acres of farmland, and considered to be the "mother house" of all Trappist and Trappistine monasteries in the United States of America. From 1948 until his death in 1968 the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani was the home of Thomas Merton. The monks bring money to the abbey by producing cheese, fruit cake and wine. The calendars and pamphlets exhibit pictures and description of the works on the abbey's farm. Also included in the series are book sleeves and anti nuclear proliferation pamphlets created by Thomas Merton while living at the Abbey.

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence series includes the letters between Thomas Merton and friends, publishers and fellow writers/philosophers. Most of the correspondence details his time spent working on various writings. The letters between Boris Pasternak discuss a similar belief in God and man despite the building Cold War in the early 1950s. also included in the series are letters between D.T. Suzuki and Thomas Merton about similarities between monastic life and Buddhist Zen philosophy.

Scope and Contents

The Six Letters series includes correpsondence between Carolyn Reading Hammer and individuals involved in the production of a short book called called Six Letters. The book compiled by Boris Pasternak's wife, Lydia with the help of Carolyn Reading Hammer, discusses the correspondence between Boris Pasternak and Thomas Merton and the profound impact the letters had on each man's life. Much of the correspondence reflects the Hammer's effort to organize Merton's thoughts and rights for publication.

Scope and Contents

The Prose series contains notes and drafts of articles and books by Thomas Merton. Significant manuscripts included are The Ascent to Truth, "The Secular Journal: Perry Street" and "The Sign of Jonas". Merton liked to circulate manuscripts with friends and many of the drafts included in the series are copies with editing notes.

Scope and Contents

The poetry series includes poems by Thomas Merton as well as poems by Raissa Maritain and Rafael Alberti which were translated by Thomas Merton. Most of the poems are about spirituality, yet some reflect American culture like an Ode to Ernest Hemingway. The collection concludes with a file containing many draft works by the famous American poet Robert Lax. Lax was a close childhood friend of Merton’s and sent him many poems in his minimalist style.

Scope and Contents

The Published Articles series includes writings by Thomas Merton that appeared in major publications during the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the articles concern contemplation and monastic life in the twentieth century. Some of the articles were translated into a foreign languages for publications in Europe and South America.

Scope and Contents

The Photographs series primarily contains photographs of Thomas Merton or the Abbey of Gethsemani. In some of the photographs Merton appears relaxed in jeans and a shirt, however most show Merton in Clerical dress or a monk's robe and poising for the picture.