David Giannini and Theodore Enslin Correspondence
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Abstract
Poet Theodore Enslin (1925-2011) published over 80 books of poetry in his career. He lived the majority of his life in rural Maine, where he farmed and wrote until he passed away at the age of 86. Poet David Giannini began publishing poetry in 1971 and his works have appeared in national and international literary magazines and anthologies. As of 2017, he lives and writes in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. This collection contains letters between Giannini and Enslin beginning in 1981 until Enslin's death in 2011. Throughout their 30 year friendship, Giannini and Enslin corresponded regularly from their homes in New Mexico, Maine, and western Massachusetts, discussing weather, politics, health, and personal issues. They also critiqued each other's writings and shared reading recommendations. Critiques and news of other writer friends including Cid Corman, John Taggart, and George Oppen can also be found in this collection.
Biographical Note
Poet Theodore Enslin (1925-2011) lived most of his adult life in rural Maine, while farming and writing poetry. He published over 80 books of poetry, wrote an award-winning newspaper column, and wrote a play produced in New York. Enslin passed away in Maine at the age of 86. Poet David Giannini (1948- ) has lived most of his life writing and living in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. He published his first work in 1971 and is still publishing and writing. His work appears in national and international literary magazines and anthologies. Giannini founded a poet and writers reading group and has taught and lectured at colleges and schools for most of his career.
Sources: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/theodore-enslin http://www.davidgiannini.com http://www.jhwriter.com/?p=6086
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials remain in chronological order as received from the dealer.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains letters between poets David Giannini and Theodore Enslin beginning in 1981 until Enslin's death in 2011. Throughout their 30 year friendship, Giannini and Enslin corresponded regularly from their homes in New Mexico, Maine, and western Massachusetts, discussing weather, gardening, politics, health and personal issues, and their careers. The two friends also critiqued each other's writings, as well as shared reading recommendations. News and critiques of other writer friends including Cid Corman, John Taggart, and George Oppen can also be found in this collection. These letters offer a private view into a long-term friendship between writers who shared personal news, disagreements, but also encouraged each other artistically.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers. Appointments are necessary for the use of manuscript and archival collections.
Conditions Governing Use
NYU's Fales Library & Special Collections is not the copyright owner for this collection. Collection use is subject to all copyright laws. Researchers wishing to reproduce collection material should contact rights holders for permission.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; David Giannini and Theodore Enslin Correspondence; MSS 352; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Steve Clay / Granary Books in August 2012. The accession number associated with this purchase is 2012.352.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and cartons. The archivist refoldered the materials in chronological order as they had been grouped by the dealer.
