Coleman Dowell Papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
(Robert) Coleman Dowell (1925-1985) was a composer, lyricist, poet, playwright, novelist, and critic. He corresponded with many famous authors and well-known personalities from the early 1960's through 1984. The collection includes correspondence, original sheet music composed by Dowell for television and Broadway musicals during his early years in New York City, photographs, and manuscripts of published and unpublished novels, poetry, short fiction, and plays.
Biographical Note
(Robert) Coleman Dowell was born to Mordon and Beulah Dowell in Adairville, Kentucky on May 29, 1925. Dowell attended several country schools, among them, a one room schoolhouse where Latin and Greek were taught. His last two years of high school were at Simpson County High in Franklin, a new county school where he was on the school paper. Dowell served in the U.S. Army, Medical Corps from 1944-45 and as an assistant to the prosecution in war crimes trials in Manila in 1945-46. He was eventually promoted to the rank of sergeant. During this period he also attended the University of the Philippines. Dowell returned home to the U.S. in 1946 and settled in Louisville for a few years where he was a full-time member of the National Guard. Here, he wrote the musical play that brought him to New York
Dowell moved to New York City in 1950, initially finding work as a model for automobile and airline ads and as a typist. From 1950-53 Dowell was employed as a song writer and lyricist for the Dumont television show, Once Upon a Tune, which starred Bea Arthur, Elaine Stritch, Alice Ghostley, and Charlotte Rae. Dowell composed nearly 1,000 works for weekly broadcast. He also worked as David Merrick's protege and with John LaTouche on the abortive Broadway musical version of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness!. 1957 was a pivotal year for Dowell. It was in January of this year that he managed to meet Carl Van Vechten, author of The Tattooed Countess. Dowell wanted permission to attempt to adapt the piece to the musical stage. He played for Van Vechten selections from a score for The Tattooed Countess and won Van Vechten's approval for the rights. Carl Van Vechten was known to his friends as "Carlo." His career included stints as a music critic for the New York Times, as a novelist during the 1920s, and as a photographer for which he never sought nor received payment. He photographed many of the major figures in the arts world. His wife was Fania Marinoff, a retired actress. Van Vechten introduced Dowell into his circle of friends which included many celebrities: Isak Dinesen, Langston Hughes, Leontyne Price, Geoffrey Holder, Gloria Vanderbilt, Sidney Lumet, Eileen Herlie, Kim Hunter, Barbra Streisand, Dianne Carroll, Pearl Bailey, Anthony Armstrong Jones, Tallulah Bankhead, Luise Rainer, Laurence Olivier, Gertrude Stein, the Gish sisters, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, George Kaufman, Noel Coward, and Maurice Sendak, among others.
The Tattooed Countess, which opened in 1961, was panned by the critics and closed within a few days. Dowell, who had written the book, score and lyrics, tried his luck with another theatrical experiment, Eve of the Green Grass. This play was presented at the Chelsea Art Theatre in 1965 and starred Kim Hunter. Seeing his play on the stage, Dowell concluded that the theatre was not his metier and turned his attention to writing novels. This was done without the mourning that the failure of The Tattooed Countess had induced. Dowell's early experiences in the theatre were used in two magazine articles, "At Home with Drosselmeier" and "A Handful of Anomalies" which were published in Bomb Magazine in 1984 and 1985, respectively. His theatrical career was also included in his unfinished autobiography, A Dark Book, which was published by The Dalkey Archive Press in June 1993 under the title: A Star-bright Lie.
Dowell had found only disillusionment in the theater. He decided to seek his fortune as a writer of fiction. Dowell had already experienced some success in writing fiction. His short story, "Alter Frau im Garten" had been published in 1962. Over a fifteen year period Dowell wrote five novels: One of the Children is Crying (1968), Mrs. October was Here (1974), Island People (1976), Too Much Flesh and Jabez (1977), and White on Black on White (1983). Remarkably, the first four novels had been written concurrently. These novels were intricate both in concept and in form. It was during this period that Dowell enjoyed the critical praise and friendship of such noted authors as Walter Abish, Thom Gunn, John Hawkes, Ann Lauterbach, Gilbert Sorrentino, Maurice Sendak, Edmund White, and Tennessee Williams.
Dowell was talented and he yearned to be famous. He very much needed a popular readership. One of the Children is Crying, one of his most accessible books, was widely reviewed, with reviews appearing in Boston, Denver, Hollywood, Houston, Louisville, Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Tulsa. Since One of the Children is Crying had been published earlier in England under the title, The Grass Dies, reviews also appeared in England and Ireland. Surprisingly, reviews for Dowell's second novel, Mrs. October was Here, were meager and from rather obscure sources. Nevertheless, this novel was always mentioned as being Dowell's favorite. Island People was a favorite with critics and other authors, and was called Dowell's masterpiece. Supporters of this novel included Tennessee Williams, Gilbert Sorrentino, Ihab Hassan, and Walter Abish, but reviews were still not as plentiful as had been the case with his first novel. The New York Times called it "a work of art" and brought Dowell some national attention. Too Much Flesh and Jabez was the least reviewed of Dowell's novels. The New York Times, nevertheless, called it "a tour de force." White on Black on White received many, but mixed, reviews. Dowell was given a tribute before the publication of his last novel in the Fall 1982 issue of The Review of Contemporary Fiction. This issue, called the Paul Bowles-Coleman Dowell number, contains the major critical articles on Dowell which had appeared up to this date.
Three different journals published nearly all of Dowell's short fiction. New Directions: An Anthology of Prose and Poetry published the following titles: "The Keepsake" (#26, 1973), "The Birthmark" (#27, 1973), "I Envy You Your Adventure" (#28, 1974), "First Person Biography" (#29, 1974), "Victor: (#30, 1975), "If Beggars were Horses" (#31, 1975), "Singing in the Clump" (#32, 1976), "The Moon, the Owl, my Sister" (#33, 1976), "Ham's Gift" (#35, 1977), and "My Father was a River" (#36, 1978). The English quarterly, Ambit, published the following titles: "I am the Beast" (#61, 1975), "The Drought Ends" (#65, 1976), "Her Good Man Gone" (#69, 1977), "A Lifetime Proposition" (#73, 1978), "Patridge House" (#76, 1978), "The Snake House" (#79, 1979), "The Silver Swanne" (#89, 1980), "Person Waiting" (#94, 1983), and "Kitty" (#100, 1985). Conjunctions published "The Great Godalmighty Bird" (#4, 1983), "Eve of the Green Grass" (novel excerpt) (#6, 1984), and "Writings on a Cave Wall" (#8, 1985). As has been already stated, "Old Woman in a Garden" or "Alte Frau im Garten" (translation by Ruth Landskoff-Yorck) was published in Frankfurter Heftein 1962. "Handy" appeared in Kentucky Renaissance in 1976, and "The Hobo" appeared in ADENA in Spring 1986. During 1983 both Conjunctions and Grenfell Press republished "The Silver Swanne" which Conjunctions editor, Bradford Morrow, in "Postscript," The Houses of Children: Collected Stories (1987) termed Dowell's greatest work of short fiction. It should also be noted that Dowell reviewed books for the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky from 1978-1985.
Dowell received critical praise from the leading authors and critics of his day. He never received the popular support he so desperately needed. His later years were plagued by ill health. Although there were good times, Dowell could not escape feelings of disillusionment, suicide, or as he put it, "the balcony beckons me." In the early morning hours on Saturday August 3, 1985, Dowell leapt from his 15th floor apartment balcony overlooking Fifth Avenue. As is the case with so many other writers or artists, the attention focused on Coleman Dowell accelerated after his death. In 1987, The Houses of Children: Collected Stories was published by Weidenfeld and Nicholson and this publishing company also reissued One of the Children is Crying. Too Much Flesh and Jabez was also made available via the Dalkey Archive Press.
Three major works by Dowell were left unfinished. These include Eve of the Green Grass, a novel; Dowell's autobiography entitled, A Dark Book and his private journal 1968-1984 which is a running diary of his life, writings, attitude towards people, and also includes personal observations for stories. Two excerpts from A Dark Book had been published earlier in Bomb magazine under the titles: "At Home with Drosselmeier" (#10, Fall 1984) and "A Handful of Anomalies" (#13, Fall 1985). These deal with Dowell's early adventures in New York City and his relationship with Carl Van Vechten, as well as his early theatrical career.
Dowell was given a final tribute at his apartment on November 3, 1985. A large number of famous personalities representing the worlds of dance, art, literature, music, theater, and education toasted their friend and praised his accomplishments as a gifted composer, poet, playwright, novelist, and critic.
Sources:
The Coleman Dowell Papers, (New York: Fales Library, NYU, 1993)Contemporary Authors, (Detroit: Gale Research, 1990)Kuehl, L., & J. Kuehl, eds. (1989). Prospectus for a start-bright lie: Coleman Dowell's Theatrical Memoirs (NY: The Review of Contemporary Fiction7:3 Fall 1987)
Arrangement
The collection is organized into five series:
Series I: Correspondence
Series II: Published and Unpublished Works
Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics
Series IV: Works by Others and Miscellaneous Materials
Series V: Media
Although the greatest concentration of correspondence is found in Series I, correspondence is interfiled throughout the Papers.
Missing Title
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Published and Unpublished Works
- Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics
- Series IV: Works by Other and Miscellaneous Materials
- Series V: Media
- Miscellaneous Oversize
Scope and Content Note
The Coleman Dowell Papers includes correspondence, musical scores and lyrics, photographs, and ephemera, as well as the texts of three major unfinished works: a novel, a private journal, and an autobiography. The latter, which Dowell had entitled A Dark Book, was published in 1993 as A Star-Bright Lie. The 2008 Accretion includes all of the above, as well as an audio recording of Dowell singing some of his songs. The accretion also contains various materials related to the publication of A Star-Bright Lie, as well Bertrand Slaff's attempts to publish Dowell's journals.
Subjects
People
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open to researchers. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Use Restrictions
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); Coleman Dowell Papers; MSS 36; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.
Provenance
The Coleman Dowell Papers were donated by Dr. Bertram Slaff, M.D., to the Fales Library at New York University in December 1986. Mr. Frank Walker, Head of Special Collections, acted as liaison between the Archives and Dr. Slaff and arranged for the collection's delivery to the Fales Library.
In 2008, Dr. Slaff donated an additional 1.5 linear feet of materials, notated hereafter as "Accretion 2008."
Separated Materials
The following books were separated from the archive and cataloged as part of the Fales print collection. They can be searched in the NYU catalog, Bobcat.
Abrams, Linsey. Charting the Stars. New York: 1979
Bancroft, Mary. Autobiography of a Spy. New York: 1983
Bax, Martin. The Hospital Ship. New York: 1976
Beeson, Jack. To a Lady Who Asked for a Cypher [sheet music]. New York: 1970
Britton, Burt, ed. Self-Portrait: Book People Picture Themselves. New York: 1976
Colum, P. & Cabell, M.F., eds. Between Friends: Letters of James Branch Cabell and Others, New York: 1962
Dunphy, Jack. An Honest Woman. New York: 1971
Dunphy, Jack. Nightmovers. New York: 1967
Eliot, Elizabeth. Heiresses and Coronets. New York: 1959
Elmslie, Kenward. Moving Right Along Calais, VT: 1980
Geva, Tamara. Split Seconds. New York: 1972
Goldman, Michael. At the Edge. New York: 1969
Goldman, Michael. First Poems. New York: 1966
Greene, Jonathan. Scaling the Walls Lexington, KY: 1974
Gunn, Thom. Moly and My Sad Captains. New York: 1973
Gunn, Thom. The Passages of Joy. New York: 1982
Gunn, Thom. . Selected Poems: 1950-1975 London: 1979
Hunter, Kim. Loose in the Kitchen. North Hollywood: 1975
Kuehl, John. The Fool-Spy. New York: 1967
Kuehl, John. John Hawkes and the Craft of Conflict. New Brunswick, NJ: 1975
Kuehl, J. & Moore, S., eds. In Recognition of William Gaddis Syracuse, NY: 1984
Latouche, John. Ballet Ballads [music]. New York: 1949
Laughlin, James. In Another Country San Francisco: 1978
Lauterback, Ann. Closing Hours. New York: 1983
Lauterback, Ann. The Dark Door. New York: 1985
Lauterback, Ann. Sacred Weather. New York: 1984
McClure, Michael. Scratching the Beat Surface San Francisco: 1982
Martin, Stephen. Edges. New York: 1978
Morrow, Bradford. After a Charme. New York: 1984
Morrow, Bradford. Posthumes. New York: 1982
Morrow, Bradford. The Preferences. New York: 1983
Purdy, James. Children is All. New York: 1961
Purdy, James. Color of Darkness and Children is All. New York: 1965
Purdy, James. Colour of Darkness London: 1961
Purdy, James. I Am Elijah Thrush London: 1972
Purdy, James. . Malcolm. New York: [1959]
Purdy, James. The Runnning Sun. New York: 1971
Rexroth, Kenneth. Selected Poems ed. by Bradford Morrow. New York: 1984
Roster, Norman. Thrive Upon the Rock. New York: 1965
Scott, Zachary. John Emory. New York: 1965
Segalen, Victor. Stelae trans. by Nathaniel Tarn. Santa Barbara: 1969
Sendak, Maurice, illus. [presentations]
Sendak, Maurice, illus. The Bat-Poet / Randall Jarrell. New York: 1964
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Fantasy Sketches Philadelphia: 1970
Sendak, Maurice, illus. The Griffin and the Minor Canon / Frank Stockton. New York: 1963
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Higglety Pigglety Pop! New York: 1967
Sendak, Maurice, illus. In the Night Kitchen. New York: 1970
Sendak, Maurice, illus. The Light Princess / George MacDonald. New York: 1969
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Lullabies and Night Songs / Alec Wilder. New York: 1964
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Nikolenka's Childhood / Leo Tolstoy. New York: 1963
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Poems from William Blake's "Songs of Innocence" / William Blake. London: 1967
Sendak, Maurice, illus. Sarah's Room / Doris Orgel. New York: 1963
Sobin, Gustaf. Caesure: Midsummer Plymouth, UK: 1981
Sobin, Gustaf. Celebration of the Sound Through. New York: 1982
Sobin, Gustaf. Ten Sham Haikus. New York: 1983
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Aberration of Starlight. New York: 1980
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Blue Pastoral San Francisco: 1983
Sorrentino, Gilbert. A Dozen Oranges Santa Barbara: 1976
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Imaginative Qualities of Actual Things. New York: 1971
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Mulligan Stew. New York: 1979
Sorrentino, Gilbert. The Orangery Austin, TX: 1978
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Selected Poems: 1958-1980 Santa Barbara: 1981
Sorrentino, Gilbert. Something Said San Francisco: 1984
Sorrentino, Gilbert. White Sail Santa Barbara: 1977
Stein, Gertrude. Alphabets and Birthdays. New Haven: 1957
Stein, Gertrude. A Novel of Thank You / Carl Van Vechten, ed. New Haven: 1958
Van Vechten, Carl. The Blind Bow-Boy. New York: 1923
Van Vechten, Carl. . Fire Crackers. New York: 1925
Van Vechten, Carl. . Peter Whiffle: His Life and Works. New York: 1927
[Van Vechten, Carl] The American Record Guide June 1960
[Van Vechten, Carl] The American Record Guide June 1960 . A Bibliography / compiled by Klaus W. Jonas. New York: 1955
[Van Vechten, Carl] The American Record Guide June 1960 . Carl Van Vechten; 1880 - 1964 San Francisco: 1965
[Van Vechten, Carl] The American Record Guide June 1960 . Carl Van Vechten and the Twenties / E. Lueders. Albuquerque: 1955
[Van Vechten, Carl] The American Record Guide June 1960 . 80 Writers...in Honor of His 80th Birthday, 17 June 1960. New Haven: 1960
Vanity Fair: Selections. New York: 1960
White, Edmund. A Boy's Own Story. New York: 1982
White, Edmund. Forgetting Elena. New York: 1973
Whitmore, George. Getting Gay in New York. New York: 1976
Yutang, Lin. Imperial Peking. New York: 1961
Zinnes, Harriet. I Wanted to See Something Flying. New York: 1976
About this Guide
Processing Information note
In March 2016, boxes from all series were renumbered to numerically follow boxes in Series I. Also, Series IV: Works By Others and Miscellaneous Materials, was divided into four subseries. Researchers with citations to previous box numbers may contact fales.library@nyu.edu for assistance with identifying new box numbers.
Edition of this Guide
Repository
Series I: Correspondence
Scope and Contents note
Series I: Correspondence, consists of correspondence between Dowell and many famous authors and well-known personalities dating from the early 1960s through 1984, for example, Maurice Sendak, Gilbert Sorrentino, Carl Van Vechten, and Edmund White.
Offsite boxes & barcodes
Box 1 - Barcode: 31142042236557 Box 2 - Barcode: 31142042236565 Box 3 - Barcode: 31142042236573
A n.d., undated
Abish, Walter and Cecile: 1975, 1975
Adams, Frances: 1967, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, n.d., 1967-1985
Aman, Madeleine: 1967, 1978, 1985, 1967-1985
Arnold, Kenneth: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1976-1981
B: 1951, 1952, 1974, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, n.d., 1951-1984
Baker, Roger: 1963, 1969, 1984, 1963-1984
Bax, Martin: 1974, 1979, 1982, 1985, n.d., 1974-1985
Beeson, Jack and Nora: 1959, 1973, 1976, 1959-1976
Boston University [Gotlieb, Howard] 1969, 1974, 1986, 1969-1986
C - D: 1974, 1978-1982, 1984, 1985, n.d., 1974-1985
Collins, Jack: 1983, 1983
Dignan, Josef n.d., undated
Dowell, Coleman [to Collins, Jack]: 1983, 1984, 1983-1984
Dowell, Coleman [to Hella and others] 1968, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980-1984, 1968-1984
Dunphy, Jack: 1968-1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1984, 1968-1984
E - F: 1954, 1959, 1961-1963, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1954-1984
Family [Dowell, Mrs. M.W.]: 1951, 1965, 1967, 1951-1967
Family [Dowell, Ron (nephew)]: 1974, 1976, n.d., 1974
Family [Misc.]: 1953-1955, 1962, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1984, 1953-1984
Family [Wohlken, James & Gayle]: 1966, 1967, 1971, 1981-1984, 1966-1984
Family [Wohlken, Jeremy & Shane]: 1982, 1983, 1982-1983
Fey, Isabella: 1954, 1954
Ford, Ruth: 1963, n.d., 1963
G - K: 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1971, 1974-1976, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1957-1985
Geva, Tamara: 1966, 1967, 1966-1967
Greene, Harlan: 1984, 1984
Griffin, John Howard: 1962, 1967, 1969, 1962-1969
Gunn, Thom: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1980-1983
Halliday, Mark [correspondence and ms.]: 1974, 1974
Herlie, Eileen: 1959, 1960, 1959-1960
Hunter, Kim: 1967, 1975, 1967-1975
Inge, William: 1959, 1959
Kent, Louise Andrews: 1956, 1967, n.d., 1956-1967
Kentucky Education Association: 1980, 1983, n.d., 1980-1983
Koch, Ed: 1974, 1974
Kuehl, John [to and from]: 1976-1980, 1982-1984, 1976-1984
L: 1961, 1962, 1965, 1982, n.d., 1961-1982
Laughlin, James: 1972 - 1977, 1972-1977
Lauterbach, Ann [includes ms.]: 1983-1985, 1983-1985
Low, Betty: 1979, n.d., 1979
Lyndon, Andrew: 1963, 1967, 1971, 1973, n.d., 1963-1973
Letters from Readers: 1961, 1965, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1977-1982, 1984, 1986, n.d., 1961-1986
M: 1953, 1955, 1965, 1975-1980, 1982, 1985 Morrow, Brad, 1953-1985
[see Brad Morrow, Series IV, Box 1:1], undated
N - R: 1959, 1960, 1962, 1977, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1959-1984
O'Brien, John: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1982-1985
Pais, Lila: 1957, 1965, 1968, 1970, n.d. Purcell, John, 1957-1970
[see White, Edmund, Series I, Box 3:16], undated
Purdy, James: 1963, 1965, 1967, 1974, n.d., 1963-1974
S: 1965, 1966, 1973, 1974, 1985, 1965-1985
Segal, Lore & mother (Franzi Groszmann): 1971, 1972, 1971-1972
Sendak, Maurice [see also Map Case]: 1968-1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, n.d., 1968-1982
Sessoms, Hella: 1969-1972, 1982-1985, 1969-1985
Slaff, Bertram: 1980-1983, n.d., 1957, 1963-1968, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1957-1983
Sussler, Betsy: 1984, 1984
Sorrentino, Gilbert: 1976, 1978, 1980-1984, 1976-1984
T: 1961, 1964, 1968, 1978, 1984, 1985, 1961-1985
Tam's Death: July 13 1978, 1978
Unidentified: 1946, 1950, 1957, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1946-1984
Unidentified n.d.
Van Vechten, Carl: 1957, 1958, 1957-1958
Van Vechten, Carl: 1959 - 1964, 1959-1964
Van Vechten, Carl: Photos & postcards: 1957-1961, n.d., 1957-1961
Van Vechten, Fania Marinoff: 1959, 1960, n.d., 1959-1960
W - Z: 1954, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1954-1983
White, Delilah [see White, Edmund, Series I, Box 3:16], undated
White, Edmund: 1976, 1978, 1980-1985, n.d., 1976-1985
Whitmore, George: 1978, 1978
Williams, Shirley n.d., undated
Wilson, Morris: 1975, 1976, 1975-1976
The Writer [A.S. Burack, ed.]: 1967, 1968, n.d., 1967-1968
Series II: Published and Unpublished Works
Scope and Content note
Series II: Published and Unpublished Works, contains reviews pertaining to Dowell's published works, and some correspondence, mostly from friends or admirers regarding a particular novel, short story, etc. This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Novels and Short Stories; and Subseries B: Plays and Dramatic Writings. The bulk of Dowell's published works is novels; unpublished material consists of plays, poems, and miscellaneous writings. Much of the materials in Subseries B are copies of Dowell's published novels or plays which he used as research material for other projects. The series also contains The Great Godalmighty Bird- a long, unpublished play with songs, personal correspondence, lists of scenes for the plays and themes, and short two- or three-character plays.
Offsite boxes & barcodes
Series II, Subseries A: Box 1 - Barcode: 31142042236581 Box 2 - Barcode: 31142042236599 Box 3 - Barcode: 31142042236607 Box 4 - Barcode: 31142042236615 Box 5 - Barcode: 31142042236623 Box 6 - Barcode: 31142042236631 Box 7 - Barcode: 31142042236649 Box 8 - Barcode: 31142042236656 Box 9 - Barcode: 31142042236664 Box 10 - Barcode: 31142042236672 Box 11 - Barcode: 31142042236680 Box 12 - Barcode: 31142042236698 Box 13 - Barcode: 31142042236706
Series II, Subseries B: Box 1 - Barcode: 31142042236714 Box 2 - Barcode: 31142042236722
Subseries A: Novels, Short Stories and Other Writings
Scope and Contents note
(1949 - 1986)
Cancer: 1986, 1986
City Sundays: 1986, 1986
The Great Godalmighty Bird: 1983, 1983
Ham's Gift: 1977, 1977
Ham's Gift [German translation] n.d., undated
I Envy You Your Great Adventure: 1966-68, 1974, 1966-1974
If Beggars Were Horses: 1975, 1975
In The Mood: [1966-68], 1986, 1986
The Moon, The Owl, My Sister: 1976, 1976
My Father was a River: 1978, 1978
The Silver Swanne: 1979, 1980, 1979-1980
The Silver Swanne: [notes] [ca. 1979], 1979
The Kid's Brother [later, Wool Tea]: 1983, 1983
Writings as Yet Unfound in a Kentucky Cave n.d. [later, Writings on a Cave Wall 1985, 1985
One of the Children is Crying/The Grass Dies. [British ms.]: ca. 1968, 1968
One of the Children is Crying/The Grass Dies. [carbon ms.]: ca. 1968, 1968
One of the Children is Crying/The Grass Dies [clippings]: 1967, 1968, 1967-1968
The Grass Dies [correspondence]: 1964-1965, 1964-1965
One of the Children is Crying [correspondence]: 1967, 1967
One of the Children is Crying [correspondence]: 1968-1975, 1968-1975
One of the Children is Crying [corrected ts, p 1-126]: ca. 1968, 1968
One of the Children is Crying [corrected ts, p 126-230]: ca. 1968, 1968
One of the Children is Crying [Reviews] 1987, 1987
One of the Children is Crying [Title page, ad card & quote page] n.d., undated
Mrs October Was Here [ts. carbon]: ca. 1974, 1974
Mrs October Was Here [ts. annotated]: ca. 1974, 1974
Mrs October Was Here [notes and fragments]: n.d., undated
Mrs October Was Here [early version]: n.d., undated
Mrs. October Was Here [miscellaneous]: n.d., undated
Mrs. October Was Here [miscellaneous]: n.d., undated
Mrs. October Was Here [miscellaneous]: n.d., undated
Mrs October Was Here [miscellaneous; clippings]: 1973, 1974, 1973-1974
Mrs October Was Here [correspondence]: 1970-1978, 1970-1978
Island People [Ian]: ca. 1976, 1976
Island People [The Keepsake]: 1973, 1973
Island People [The Surgeon]: ca. 1976, 1976
Island People [Webster's story (1)]: 1976, 1976
Island People [Webster's story (2)]: 1976, 1976
Island People [Webster's story (3)]: 1976, 1976
Island People [fragments] n.d., undated
Island People [fragments] n.d., undated
Island People [correspondence]: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1973-1976
Island People [clippings]: 1976, 1976
Island People [Up At Claudo's] n.d., undated
Island People [1]: ca. 1976, 1976
Island People [2]: ca. 1976, 1976
Island People [3]: ca. 1976, 1976
Island People [scrapbook]: 1976, 1977, 1976-1977
Too Much Flesh and Jabez [notes and fragments]: 1977, 1977
Too Much Flesh and Jabez [Edmund White's notations]: 1977, 1977
Too Much Flesh and Jabez [correspondence]: 1977, 1977
Too Much Flesh and Jabez [clippings]: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1977-1981
White on Black on White [original ms. p. 1-135]: ca. 1983, 1983
White on Black on White [original ms. p. 136-252]: ca. 1983, 1983
White on Black on White [ms. p. 1-141]: ca. 1983, 1983
White on Black on White [ms. p. 142-283]: ca. 1983, 1983
White on Black [notes and fragments] ca. 1983, 1983
White on Black on White [contract and correspondence]: 1982, 1983, 1982-1983
White on Black on White [correspondence]: 1983, n.d., 1983
White on Black on White [clippings]: 1983, 1984, 1983-1984
The Houses of Children [ms.] (part 1: p. i-iii, 1-138): ca. 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [ms.] (part 2: p. 139-220) ca. 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [ed. draft 1]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [ed. draft 2]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [Afterword by Bradford Morrow]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [Show proof]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [reviews]: 1987, 1987
White on Black on White [galley proof. p.1-125]: 1983, 1983
White on Black on White [galley proof. p.126-251]: 1983, 1983
The Silver Swanne [unbound copy]: 1983, 1983
The Silver Swanne [unbound copy]: 1983, 1983
The Houses of Children [galley proof (revise) ]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [galley proof (revise) ]: 1986, 1986
The Houses of Children [annotated galley proof]: 1986, 1986
Autobiography [fragments] n.d., undated
A Dark Book [later, A Star Bright Lie] [ts] n.d., undated
A Dark Book [1st draft] n.d., undated
Memoir about Carl Van Vechten n.d., undated
What I Did On My Vacation n.d., undated
Eve of the Green Grass [Willow's Story] n.d., undated
Eve of the Green Grass n.d., undated
Eve of the Green Grass [fragments] n.d., undated
Eve of the Green Grass [Discards? Edited] n.d., undated
And What of the Valley? n.d., undated
The Black Conductor n.d., undated
Boy n.d., undated
Boy of My Dreams n.d., undated
Cat n.d., undated
Chris n.d., undated
Dedication & Elegy (to Tam): ca. 1978, 1978
The Diary of a Bigot n.d., undated
The Dory [formerly, The Gag & Puke] n.d., undated
The Geisha n.d., undated
I Am n.d., undated
The Indian Giver n.d., undated
The Intruder n.d., undated
Ivy: n.d., undated
Jenny Come Home [Bobby Dowell aged 12] ca.: 1949, 1949
The Landlords n.d., undated
Liars Cookbook n.d., undated
The Long Weekend n.d., undated
Mademoiselle du Paris n.d., undated
Maya [see also, Up at Claudo's] n.d., undated
Moetter n.d., undated
Miscellaneous Writing (1): 1968, n.d., 1968
Miscellaneous Writing (2) n.d., undated
Miscellaneous Writing (3) n.d., undated
Miscellaneous Writing (4): 1985, n.d., 1985
Old Woman in a Garden: ca. 1962, 1962
The Other Room n.d., undated
Poems A-G: 1964, 1982, n.d., 1964-1982
Poems H-L n.d., undated
Poems M-R: 1960, 1964, 1978, 1979, n.d., 1960-1979
Poems S-Z n.d., undated
Poems: Miscellaneous n.d., undated
Polish Story n.d., undated
Snap n.d., undated
The Twenties n.d., undated
Up at Claudo's n.d., undated
Untitled ["I have wanted to see three things"]: 1965, 1965
Untitled ["It was the day he arranged..."] n.d., undated
Untitled ["It's the noise"] n.d., undated
Untitled ["Men go to work."] n.d., undated
Untitled ["My first editor"] n.d., undated
Yetta Arenstein Memorial: 1965, 1965
Subseries B: Plays and Dramatic Pieces
Gentle Laurel [later, Eve of the Green Grass]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Gentle Laurel [later, Eve of the Green Grass]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [ms.]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green grass [notes and fragments]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [Act 1 and background notes]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [Revised by Bert Slaff]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [Act 1&2 and notes]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [Act 1&2 and explanatory notes], 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [Act 1. Incomplete]. 1965, 1965, inclusive
Eve of the Green Grass [correspondence & writings]. 1962, n.d., 1962, inclusive
Ah, Wilderness [newspaper article]: n.d., undated
Beautiful Dreamer [C. Dowell?]. 1959, 1959, inclusive
Beautiful Dreamer [variant version] [1959], undated
Call back April: n.d., undated
Chloe: n.d., undated
Cora's Pill: n.d., undated
The Crystal Tree [by Coleman Dowell?]: n.d., undated
The Crystal tree [by Doris Julian]. 1956, 1956, inclusive
The Great Godalmighty Bird n.d., undated
Haymarket [musical play]. 1958, 1958, inclusive
The Indian Giver: n.d., undated
Little Maggie: n.d., undated
Mrs October Was Here: n.d., undated
Paul and Paul's Super Ego: n.d., undated
The Penthouse: n.d., undated
Shangri-La: n.d., undated
Sleeping Rock: n.d., undated
Tropicana: n.d., undated
Untitled murder mystery: n.d., undated
Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics
Scope and Contents note
Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics, spans the years from the 1950s to 1960s. The bulk of the material falls in the year 1961 when Dowell's largest theatrical work, The Tattooed Countess, opened on Broadway. The work contains book, lyrics, and score by Dowell and signifies the major effort of his theatrical production. Dowell's second largest musical effort, Haymarket, although unfinished, also contains a large number of musical works and lyrics. Most of Dowell's theatrical works are heavily annotated. The lists of song titles included in this material provide an opportunity to study Dowell's creative processes, as he changed or reworked his material. It is not unusual to find a lyric assigned to one of Dowell's musicals also appearing in another of his theatrical works.
Dowell's music and lyrics from the 1950-1953 television series, Once Upon A Tune, are included in the Collection. Although Dowell composed nearly one thousand songs for the weekly broadcast of this show over its run, most of these are not included in his papers.
Offsite boxes & barcodes
Box 1 - Barcode: 31142042236839 Box 2 - Barcode: 31142042236847 Box 3 - Barcode: 31142042236755 Box 4 - Barcode: 31142042236763 Box 5 - Barcode: 31142042236771
Ah, Wilderness!: n.d., undated
Haymarket Lyrics: n.d., undated
Haymarket Sheet Music: n.d., undated
Lida Questa: n.d., undated
Miscellaneous Lyrics: n.d., undated
Miscellaneous Musical Works: n.d., undated
Music from C. Dowell's Library: n.d., undated
Musical Collaborations: n.d., undated
Once Upon A Tune. 1950-1953, 1950-1953
Streisand Material. 1965, 1965
The Tattooed Countess (Reeds). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Horns). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Cello). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Harp). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Piano). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Vocals). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Entre Acte/Orch. parts masters) 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Book). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Book). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Book photocopy) 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Book with revisions). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Correspondence). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Telegrams). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Clippings). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Playbills). 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess (Set transparencies). 1961, 1961
Series IV: Works by Others and Miscellaneous Materials
Scope and Contents note
Series IV: Writings by Others and Miscellaneous Materials, contains photographs of Coleman Dowell, family members and other individuals. Correspondence is interfiled with typescripts, plays, novels, short stories, poems, etc., written by other people.
Offsite boxes & barcodes
Box 1 - Barcode: 31142042236813 Box 2 - Barcode: 31142042236821
Subseries A: Bradford Morrow
Correspondence 1982-1984, 1982-1984
Above the Chautaquas [ms.]. 1984, 1984
The American Baedeker of Mateo Lupi [ms.]: n.d., undated
Contrapposto [ms.]: n.d., undated
Cutt's Grace [ms.] [see also, Who Else I Don't Like]. 1984, 1984
The History of It [ms.]: n.d., undated
Hung Storm [ms.]. 1982, 1982
Papa Itzhak (1) [ms.]: n.d., undated
Papa Itzhak (2) [ms.] n.d., undated
Post Partum [ms.] (2 versions): n.d., undated
Who Else I Don't Like [ms.] [see also, Whom No Hate...]. 1984, 1984
Whom No Hate Stirs None Dances [ms.] [see also, Who Else...]: n.d., undated
Printed Material. 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, n.d., 1982-1985
Subseries B: Works by Others
Adams, Jody [ms.] [The No-Name Blues]: n.d., undated
Arnold, Kenneth. [mss.] [Better Homes and Gardens; She Also Dances]. 1980, n.d., undated
Deba: n.d., undated
For Sukey T. (author unknown) [ms.] [1974/75], undated
Hines, Glen: "For Coleman" [ms. poem]. 1979, 1979
Kuehl, John and Linda Kandel Kuehl [An Interview with Coleman Dowell]. 1979, 1979
Laughlin, James [ms. & printed material]. 1974, 1978, n.d., 1974-1978
Martin, Stephen: A Comparative Study in Androgyny in 1984. Twentieth-Century Literature [ms. & corresp.], 1984
Martin, Stephen-Paul [Excorcism and Grace]: n.d., undated
Masseaux, Brett [ms.] [Maybe at the Next Station...]: n.d., undated
Schneider, Louise [ts.] [Orphaned Children of the Orphaned South]. 1968, 1968
Sorrentino, Gilbert [mss. and printed material]. 1984, 1985, n.d., 1984-1985
Unidentified writings: n.d., undated
Van Vechten, Carl [printed material] 1960, n.d., 1960
White, Edmund: Caracole [ms.] (pp. 1-216): n.d., undated
White, Edmund: Caracole [ms.] (pp. 217-426): n.d., undated
White, Edmund: A Man of the World [ms.]. n.d., undated
White, Edmund (Printed Matter). 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1979-1984
Subseries C: Miscellaneous
Clippings. 1968 1973, n.d., 1968-1973
Dowell Family Genealogy. n.d., undated
French lessons with Yvette Arenstein. n.d., undated
Italian lessons. n.d., undated
Legal documents. 1956, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1970, n.d., 1956-1970
Misc. notes, literary sketches & quotes. n.d., undated
Printed and pictorial matter. 1961, 1965, 1976, 1980, 1961-1980
Photos: C. Dowell and Family. n.d., undated
Photos: Others. n.d., undated
Reviews by C. Dowell. 1977, 1979, 1985, n.d., 1977-1985
Reviews & Articles about C. Dowell and his work. 1974, 1976, 1977, n.d., 1974-1977
The Tattooed Countess [framed newspaper ad for the musical]. 1961, 1961
Subseries D: Addenda
Bibliography [of C. Dowell's work by Bertram Slaff]. n.d., undated
Morrow, Bradford [Coleman Dowell Obituary]. 1985, 1985
Karl, F. [The Faulknerian Presence in Contemporary American Fiction]. 1987, 1987
Kuehl, Linda K. and John R. [Prospectus for A Star-Bright Lie: Coleman Dowell's Theatrical Memoirs]. 1989, 1989
Printed Material [New Directions' Fiftieth Anniversary]. 1986, 1986
Miscellaneous Oversize
Posters, newspapers, scrapbook, etc.
The Tattooed Countess poster. 1961, 1961
The Tattooed Countess set design (watercolor). 1961, 1961
Misc. newspapers 1968, 1969, 1968-1969
Mrs. October Was Here: scrapbook of reviews. 1974, 1974
Ink drawing on placemat by Hugh Dilworth (?). 1962, 1962
Accretion 2008 - Series I: Correspondence
Scope and Content note
This series contains a small amount of correspondence between Dowell and various friends and publishers. Those folders labeled "Miscellaneous Letters" contain photocopies, primarily of letters written by Dowell to his family members, collected posthumously by Bertram Slaff. The series also contains correspondence between Slaff and others regarding Dowell's death.
D'Amico, Maria Vittoria, 1984, inclusive
Dahl, Gunnar Andreas, 1994, inclusive
Dunphy, Jack, 1987, inclusive
Fitzgerald, G., 1972, inclusive
General
Contains one hand-addressed, empty envelope.
Frankfurter Hefte, 1962, inclusive
Froman, Jane, 1957, 1959, 1960
Glassgold, Peter, 1980, inclusive
Herlie, Eileen, 1958-1960, inclusive
Hoepffner, Bernard, 1993-1994, inclusive
Kaldheim, Peter, 1974-1975, inclusive
Kroll, Lucy, 1995, 1997
Landskoff-Yorck, Ruth, 1963, inclusive
Laughlin, James, 1980, inclusive
Low, Betty, 1964, undated, inclusive
Mielziner, Joe, 1953, 1955
Miscellaneous Letters (1 of 2)
General
Primarily photocopies of letters composed by Dowell, mostly written to members of his family.
Miscellaneous Letters (2 of 2)
General
Primarily photocopies of letters composed by Dowell, mostly written to members of his family.
Prager, Robert, 1984, inclusive
Rakoff, Vivian M., 1986, inclusive
Rejection Letters from Publishers, 1971, 1982, undated
S. Fischer Verlag, Publishers, 1962-63, 1965, inclusive
Semmons, Hella, 1968-1984, 1991
Sendak, Maurice, 1967-1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1981
General
Contains one letter and numerous hand-addressed, empty envelopes.
Slaff, Bertram, 1955-1972, inclusive
Accretion 2008 - Series II: Published and Unpublished Works
Scope and Content note
The primary focus of Accretion 2008 Series II is Bertram Slaff's attempts to publish Dowell's journal, which Slaff titled An American Eccentric. Slaff edited the journal entries, and arranged them thematically. The folders in this series reflect the various iterations of these arrangements. There is also a manuscript of edited journal entries specifically surrounding Dowell's relationship with his dachsund, which Slaff titled Cole and Tam - A Writer and His Dog. The series also contains various published and unpublished materials, including photocopies of Dowell's suicide note and will.
Conditions Governing Access
All folders containing excerpts from Dowell's journals are restricted until 31 December 2010.
An American Eccentric [annotated draft]
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Descriptive Writing], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Noteworthy Events], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Observations], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Personality Characteristics and Quirks], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated drafts: Physical Health], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Relationship with Doug], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Romantic and/or Social Involvements], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated draft: Suicidal Thoughts], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated drafts: Writings], undated
An American Eccentric [annotated journal], 1977-1984, inclusive
An American Eccentric [journal fragments], 1970-1984, inclusive
An American Eccentric [journal manuscript pp. i-v, 1-130], 1964-1974, inclusive
An American Eccentric [journal manuscript pp. 131 - 307], 1974-1984, inclusive
An American Eccentric [supplemental and administrative materials], 1992-1993, inclusive
Cole and Tam - A Writer and His Dog [manuscripts and correspondence], 1990, inclusive
A Dark Book / A Star-Bright Lie [correspondence], 1987, 1989
"Der Junge Knecht" - German translation of "Ham's Gift" by Ruth Landskoff-Yorck, undated
Miscellaneous Book Reviews, undated
Miscellaneous Writings, undated
Miscellaneous Writings, undated
The Party [manuscript and correspondence], 1993, inclusive
The Party [manuscript and correspondence], 1993, inclusive
Posthumous clippings and excerpts [writings and journals], 1987-1994, inclusive
"Reading of Astrological Chart by Isidor Oblo...", 1965, inclusive
Suicide Note, Last Will and Testament, 1985, inclusive
"The Writing of The Silver Swanne", undated
Accretion 2008 - Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics
Scope and Content note
Accretion 2008 Series II contains handwritten and annotated sheet music, primarily from The Tattooed Countess.
Maybe I'll Leave You, undated
So Long - Vincenzo, undated
Some Sugar Morning, undated
The Tattooed Countess, 1961, inclusive
Think I'll Fall in Love Tonight, undated
Accretion 2008 - Series IV: Works by Others and Miscellaneous Materials
Scope and Content note
This series contains works by other writers and various materials related to Dowell's life and career. The three folders of photographic materials contain photographic prints, contact sheets, and negative film.
Arrangement
The contents of folders in this series reflect the original order in which materials were kept by Bertram Slaff.
Arlen, Doug: Private! Keep Out!, undated
Arlen, Doug: Two Men, undated
Coleman Dowell "Memorabilia", undated
General
Contains clippings and writings by or about Dowell, compiled by Bertrand Slaff.
Copyright, "Maybe I'll Leave You", 1972, inclusive
Kentucky Education Association - Miscellaneous Materials, 1983, inclusive
General
Contains materials related to Simpson County High School reunion, as well as a profile of Dowell published in KEA News.
Photocopies - Photos of Dowell's Ancestors, 1999, inclusive
Photographic Materials
Photographic Materials
Photographic Materials
Royalty Statements, 1978-1984, inclusive
Slaff, Bertram: Book Review, undated
Slaff, Bertram: Irv Bauer, 1995, inclusive
Slaff, Bertram: Reminiscences About Coleman Dowell, 1995-1996, inclusive
Slaff, Bertram: The Snake's House, 1996, inclusive
Tarn, Nathaniel: The Desert Mothers, "Seeing America First", undated
Accretion 2008 - Series V: Media
Scope and Content note
This series contains one audio CD featuring recordings of Dowell singing some of his songs.
Subseries A: Access Copies
Conditions Governing Access
Audio materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers.
Subseries B: Originals
"Coleman Dowell Sings" CD-R, undated
Accretion 2008 - Oversize Series III: Musical Works and Lyrics
The Tattooed Countess, 1961, inclusive
Opened to Public 2011 - Series I: Correspondence
Scope and Content
This portion of correspondence was sealed until 2011, at the request of the collection donor.
To: Aman, Madeleine, undated
From: Dennis, Efraim, 1973-1975, inclusive
From: Holub, Robert, undated
From: Misenti, Vincent, 1972, inclusive
From: Misenti, Vincent, 1973-1974, inclusive
To: Slaff, Bert, undated
From: Smith, Hubert E., undated
To: Smith, Hubert E., undated
Opened to Public 2011 - Series VI: Journal
Scope and Content
This series consists of Dowell's typescript journals; access to this material was restricted until 2011, at the request of the collection donor.