Modern Literature Collection
Launched in 1964, the Modern Literature Collection was created as an archive of the work of contemporary English and American writers who were considered critically underappreciated and whose reputations might grow further in the years to come. These collections include personal and editorial correspondence, publishers’ proofs, drafts, and ephemera. Items reflect the writers’ compositional processes and provide biographical information.
Special Collections has grown this body of papers with collections of the published work of these authors—appearances in periodicals, first editions, later editions, copies corrected or inscribed by the author, and books containing contributions, translations, biographies, and critical studies—to create a research archive of print material to accompany the manuscripts. In a few cases, Special Collections even collected this printed matter for authors whose papers they could not acquire. The result is a multi-layered, broad-reaching collection that offers scholars meaningful perspectives on the authors’ lives and work.
The work of forty-six writers, all but two then living, was reflected in the initial Modern Literature Collection. Since its establishment, the Collection has expanded from these original writers to feature more than 175 authors, presses, and journals, of which more than 125 are represented by manuscript materials. The foresight and commitment of the original panel led to a printed and manuscript collection now internationally recognized and accessed by scholars worldwide.
Search the Modern Literature Collection on ArchivesSpace
Modern Literature Authors and Entities (PDF)
Explore introductions to selected Modern Literature Collection authors and their collections
WashU holds major archival collections and/or significant holdings for the works of many poets, playwrights, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Contact the Curator of the Modern Literature Collection/Manuscripts Joel Minor for more information.
Watch archival and event videos on the Modern Literature Collection YouTube channel.
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Collection Howard Nemerov Papers
Howard Nemerov (1920-1991) was a widely published poet recognized with numerous prizes, awards, grants, and fellowships. He was born and...View Collection about Howard Nemerov Papers -
Collection Jan Garden Castro Papers
Jan Garden Castro's resources in Special Collections consist of the Jan Garden Castro Papers and a collection of materials donated...View Collection about Jan Garden Castro Papers -
Collection Aaron Coleman Papers
The Aaron Coleman Papers demonstrate the author's dedication as both an artist and scholar from 2015 to 2021.View Collection about Aaron Coleman Papers -
Collection Charles Johnson Papers
Special Collections recently acquired the Charles Johnson Papers, an archival collection of materials related to the life and work of...View Collection about Charles Johnson Papers -
Collection Joy Williams
Described as one of the masters of the contemporary short story, the Joy Williams Collection spans over five decades consists...View Collection about Joy Williams -
Collection James Merrill
The James Merrill Papers consists of drafts, diaries, correspondence, photographs, and more that detail the life of this remarkable poet....View Collection about James Merrill -
Collection A. E. Hotchner
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 -
Collection Eugene O’Neill
Materials related to the life and work of Eugene O’Neill along with first editions of the playwright’s works located in...View Collection about Eugene O’Neill -
Collection Mary Jo Bang
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 -
Collection Mona Van Duyn
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 -
Collection May Swenson
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 -
Collection William H. Gass
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
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
Special Collections at the Gaylord Music Library 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.
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.