Jesse Stuart papers

Abstract

The Jesse Stuart papers (dated 1933-1979; 1.35 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consist of letters, manuscripts of short stories and poems, photographs, and biographical materials, documenting Stuart's career as a poet and author.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Jesse Stuart papers
Date
1933-1979 (inclusive)
Extent
1.35 Cubic Feet
Subjects
American literature -- Appalachian Region.
Greenup (Ky.)
Poets.
Poets laureate -- Kentucky.
Bert T. Combs Appalachian Collection
Kentucky Authors Collection
Arrangement
Collection is arranged alphabetically.
Finding Aid Author
Ida Sell
Preferred Citation
59M31: [Identification of item], Jesse Stuart papers, 1933-1979, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Jesse Hilton Stuart was born in W-Hollow near Riverton in Greenup County, Kentucky, in 1907. The son of an illiterate farmer, Stuart is recognized as an outstanding regional author. In 1929 he received an A.B. degree from Lincoln Memorial University and attended Vanderbilt University in 1931-1932, studying there when "The Fugitive Poets," a group of poets and scholars, were active. When his 19 stanza poem Elegy for Mitch Stewart was published by the American Mercury magazine in 1933, Stuart credited Robert Penn Warren and Donald Davidson for encouraging him to submit his work. Stuart had a distinguished career in Kentucky as a school teacher, principal and eventually superintendent of Greenup County Schools. He achieved fame, however, as a poet and writer of short stories, novels and articles. Stuart was honored by Lincoln Memorial University in 1942 with a Ph.D. in Human Letters and in 1954 was named poet laureate of eastern Kentucky by the Kentucky legislature. Jesse Stuart married Naomi Dean Norris and they had one daughter, Jane.
Scope and Content
The Jesse Stuart papers (dated 1933-1979; 1.35 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consist of letters, manuscripts of short stories and poems, photographs, and biographical materials, documenting Stuart's career as a poet and author. Included are the poem Elegy for Mith Stuart and the short stories Three Hundred Acres of Elbow Room, published in the American Mercury, 1934 and the Yale Review, 1935; Hair appeared in the Best Short Stories of 1937; and that same year the short story Toes was translated into Russian while Stuart was studying in Europe as a Guggenheim fellow, previously it had been published in Stuart's Head O'W-Hollow. The letters consist of correspondence with Bruce Denbo, Carlton Wells, Lawrence Thompson, Joseph Houlihan, Jim Presgraves, Paul Neal, and William Seward.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Biographical, 1936-1970

Articles about Jesse Stuart, 1940-1970

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Jesse Stuart portrait, 1940s

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Newspaper clippings, 1944-1961

  • Box 1, folder 3-4
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Photographs, 1936

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Photographs, 1938

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Correspondence, 1935-1979

Betty Rufert letter, 1938 January 29

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Bruce Denbo correspondence, 1969-1970

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Carlton Wells correspondence, 1935-1977

  • Box 1, folder 9-11
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Correspondence, mostly with Mark Bittner, 1948-1973

  • Box 2, folder 1-2
Scope and Contents

This folder consists mainly of correspondence with Mark Bittner. The material, which was generated between 1951 and 1973, was a result of the writer's contacts through their affiliation with Lincoln Memorial University. The correspondence between Bittner and Stuart contain biographical material on Stuart in addition to references to addresses he made at Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout the correspondence, Stuart mentions his works-in-progress, political issues and personal matters.

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Invitations, 1955

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Jim Presgraves correspondence, 1973

  • Box 2, folder 4
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John Ciardi correspondence, 1966

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Joseph Houlihon correspondence, 1965-1974

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Lawrence Thompson correspondence, 1967-1979

  • Box 3, folder 7-8
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Miscellaneous, 1935-1936

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Paul Neal correspondence, 1951-1972

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Scriptorium correspondence, 1951-1979

  • Box 2, folder 11
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William Seward correspondence, 1945-1971

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Writings, 1933-1979

Manuscripts, 1933-1937

Elegy for Mitch Stuart, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 13
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Hair, 1937

  • Box 2, folder 14
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Three Hundred Acres of Elbow Room, 1935

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Toes, 1935

  • Box 3, folder 2
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Published Works, 1935-1979

Articles and clippings, 1935-1977

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Articles by Jesse Stuart, 1935-1956

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Jesse Stuart publications, 1939-1972

  • Box 3, folder 5-7
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Miscellaneous publications, 1967-1979

  • Box 3, folder 8
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.