Manuscript Collections
WashU Libraries’ Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Manuscript collections contain a broad range of materials dating from the 2nd century BC through the present. The Modern Literature Collection is the largest material group focusing on Anglo and American literary manuscripts in the 20th and 21st centuries. Other significant holdings include Coptic Greek papyri fragments, European manuscript books and leaves, St. Louis literary events recorded on audiotapes, and American/European autograph collections of significant writers, scientists, politicians, and more. Contact the Curator of the Modern Literature Collection/Manuscripts Joel Minor for more information.
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Explore the Modern Literature Collection and Manuscripts Research Guide
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Collection Mary Jo Bang Papers
The Mary Jo Bang Papers consists of manuscripts and an assortment of materials relating to the artist's work outside of...View Collection about Mary Jo Bang Papers -
Collection A. E. Hotchner Papers
The A. E. Hotchner Papers consist of manuscript, editorial material, scripts for Hemingway adaptations, correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia.View Collection about A. E. Hotchner Papers -
Collection William H. Gass Papers
William H. Gass founded the International Writers Center at WashU; this collection hopes to honor him while highlighting his own...View Collection about William H. Gass Papers -
Collection William Gaddis Papers
Consists largely of the author's own manuscript material and a substantial amount of personal and general correspondence, particularly to editors,...View Collection about William Gaddis Papers -
Collection Stanley Elkin Papers
Stanley Lawrence Elkin wrote extravagant, satirical fiction in innumerable darkly comic variations. This Collection honors his work at the University...View Collection about Stanley Elkin Papers -
Collection Samuel Beckett Papers
Never exactly mainstream, Beckett is widely recognized as one of the most important European writers of the 20th century for...View Collection about Samuel Beckett Papers -
Collection May Swenson Papers
The May Swenson Papers contain manuscript and editorial material toward most of her books as well as important personal correspondences...View Collection about May Swenson Papers -
Collection Mona Van Duyn Papers
Mona Van Duyn was the first woman Poet Laureate of the United States and served as poetry consultant for WashU...View Collection about Mona Van Duyn Papers -
Collection River Styx Collection
The River Styx pioneered a multicultural, community‐based approach to literature that was new to St. Louis and much of the...View Collection about River Styx Collection -
Collection James Merrill Digital Archive
The James Merrill Digital Archive provides digital access to a cross-section from the James Merrill Papers housed in Special Collections.View Collection about James Merrill Digital Archive
Collecting Areas
Digital Collections
Digital Collections highlight those portions of the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections that have been made or born-digital.
Dowd Illustration Research Archive
The Dowd Illustration Research Archive (DIRA) at WashU includes original art and printed material from many popular American pictorial graphic culture fields.
East Asian Library Special Collections
The East Asian Library's special collection includes about 900 volumes of rare and special books, manuscripts, and other materials.
Film & Media Archive
The Archive is committed to the preservation of documentary film and other media which chronicles America's great political and social movements with a particular emphasis on the African-American experience.
Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library Special Collections
The Art & Architecture Special Collections is a 4,200-volume collection of rare and unique art and design printed materials located at the Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library. The main focus is illustrated books, prints, and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries and contemporary book design.
Local History Collections
The local history collecting area focuses on the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Manuscript Collections
WashU Libraries' Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Manuscript collections contain a broad range of materials dating from the 2nd century BC through the present.
Modern Literature Collection
The Modern Literature Collection includes more than 175 authors, presses, and journals, more than 125 of which are represented by manuscript materials.
Music Special Collections
Music Special Collections include sheet music, manuscripts, rare books, and digital materials.
Rare Book Collections
The Rare Book Collections include books from all Special Collection areas. The collections’ primary strengths are in literature, the material culture of the book, including the history of printing, graphic design, and the book arts, and aspects of American and world history.
Sports & Culture Collections
The Sports and Culture Collections highlight the historical and cultural impact of sports and fandom throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on the St. Louis region.
Washington University Archives
The University Archives chronicles the history of WashU from 1853 to today with over 300 unique collections, including campus publications, reports, photographic prints and negatives, books, film, sound recordings, oral histories, architectural plans, and artifacts.