{"value"=>"<p>Porter was deeply immersed in poetry and socialism, socialist issues and the writing and critiquing of poetry for half a century, beginning in the 1920's. The <em>Correspondence - Poetry and Socialism, 1926-1981 [bulk, 1930's-1950's]</em> subseries reveals the breadth of Porter's interests. His socialist correspondents include Arthur W. Calhoun, Bessie (Flora) Hurst, Naomi Mitchison and Bouck White. The following is a list of poets and literary figures with whom Porter corresponded: Colby Cleveland, Jack Conroy, Joy Davidman, Margaret Tynes Fairley, Truth Mary Hemenway, Rosalie Hickler aka Rosalie Boyce, John Holmes, Harry Elmore Hurd, Raymond Kresensky, Seymour Gordden Link, Ruben F. Menendez, Russell Porter (Kenneth's brother), Lou Agnes Reynolds, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Theodore Roethke, Julia Ruutila, Irma Wassall, and John Wheelwright. Researchers should note that many of these poets were also socialists, and socialism is frequently the focus of their writing. Porter prided himself on being a poet from Kansas, and a number of his colleagues also wrote about Kansas. As an admirer of Robert Frost, Porter wrote an article reminiscencing about his conversations with Frost between 1935-1936 and in 1941. This subseries contains Porter's research material and manuscripts about Frost as well as a 1935 handwritten letter from Frost to Porter. Also included is Porter's research material about Solomon de la Selva, a Nicaraguan poet. As a member of the New England Poetry Club, he maintained correspondence and issues of the newsletter. There are also additional letters about history, literature, folklore, and politics, some written by Porter's wife, Annette, as well as numerous letters to editors with the pertinent news clippings attached. Finally, there are numerous incoming letters and one folder of outgoing letters. Porter had arranged the incoming letters chronologically and indicated they had been answered; this arrangement has been followed. These are letters from colleagues and friends, many dealing with historical subjects.</p>"}