Owen Dodson collection

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"20843", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"Sc MG 437", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"b14642208", "type"=>"local_b"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1943-1984", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1943/1984"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"Owen Dodson collection"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"2 folders", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.02 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}

langmaterial

{"value"=>"English"}

origination

{"value"=>"Gordon, Sol", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"col"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>Owen Dodson was a poet, novelist, playwright, and educator who influenced the course of African American drama. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1914, he received a Bachelor's degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University with the writing of the play <span class=\"title\">Divine Comedy</span> (1938).</p> <p>Dodson wrote the novels <span class=\"title\">Come Home Early, Child</span> (1977) and <span class=\"title\">Boy at the Window</span> (1951), and books of poetry including <span class=\"title\">The Harlem Book of the Dead</span> and <span class=\"title\">Powerful Long Ladder</span>. His plays, totaling fifteen and including <span class=\"title\">Divine Comedy</span>y, <span class=\"title\">Garden of Time</span>, and <span class=\"title\">Bayou Legend</span>, among others, were more akin to poetic dramas than to plays. His short story, \"The Summer Five\", won a Paris Review award.</p> <p>Teaching at Atlanta University, Hampton Institute, and Spelman College, as well as serving in the U.S. Navy, helped prepare Dodson for the task that lay before him at Howard University in 1944, where he taught or worked with many contemporary successful African American actors. With two fellow professors, Dodson established Howard University as a primary source in African American theater. He remained at Howard as chairman of the Drama Department and poet in residence until he retired in 1969. Dodson lectured at colleges throughout the country and directed various colleges and repertory groups in major cities. In 1964, he was an advisory board member for the Harlem School of the Arts Community Theater. Dodson's death occurred in 1983.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The Owen Dodson collection consists principally of printed matter describing Dodson's career as a poet, playwright, and novelist. There are programs, obituaries and a memorial, a few of his poems, and an extensive bibliography. Additionally, the collection contains a handwritten poem (ca. 1940s), postcards written to his friend Sol Gordon, court documents, and correspondence regarding Dodson's estate and his will.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Sol Gordon, May 1991.</p>"}

separatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<p> Transferred to the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division: audio materials. For more information, please contact the division at schomburgaudiovisual@nypl.org or 212-491-2270.</p> <p>Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs.</p>"}

processinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Processed by Janice Quinter, May 1991.</p>"}

sponsor

{"value"=>"Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project"}

revisiondesc

{"value"=>"Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark.", "date"=>"2022 February 3"}

date_start

1943

keydate

1943

date_end

1984

date_inclusive_start

1943

date_inclusive_end

1984

extent_statement

0.02 linear feet (2 folders)

prefercite

{"value"=>"[Item], Owen Dodson collection, Sc MG 437, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}

abstract

{"value"=>" The Owen Dodson collection consists principally of printed matter describing Dodson's career as a poet, playwright, and novelist. There are programs, obituaries and a memorial, a few of his poems, and an extensive bibliography. Additionally, the collection contains a handwritten poem (ca. 1940s), postcards written to his friend Sol Gordon, court documents, and correspondence regarding Dodson's estate and his will.", "generated"=>true}

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