It has been two hundred years since a book was published in England “By a Lady,” entitled Sense and Sensibility. On October 30, 1811, Jane Austen’s first novel was published, creating a literary phenomenon that continues to this day. Join us in the Special Collections reading room on the third floor of the Main LibraryContinue reading “Sense and Sensibility”
Author Archives: Greg Prickman
Civil War transcription – The Winslows
As part of the roll-out of our expanded Civil War transcription project (see the announcement here) we tweeted a letter written by Ferdinand S. Winslow to his four year old son, William Herman. Several of our readers have wondered what became of the Winslows after the war, and the story is actually quite interesting. FerdinandContinue reading “Civil War transcription – The Winslows”
In Memory of Ming Wathne
We are sad to note the passing of Ming Wathne, who donated her extensive collection of science fiction fanzines to the University of Iowa Libraries in 2009. For many years Ming ran the Fanzine Archive, a lending library for fanzines related primarily to media properties such as Star Wars and Star Trek. Her collection hasContinue reading “In Memory of Ming Wathne”
Hoover Collection of Science Fiction Fanzines
Special Collections announces a new and valuable addition to its growing collections of zines and of science fiction fandom-related materials: the Debbie Hoover Fanzine Collection. Hoover is a longtime SF fan based in Salem, Oregon who has graciously donated her collection of fan fiction, which spans from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Fan fictionContinue reading “Hoover Collection of Science Fiction Fanzines”
“It is a dangerous thing to make presents to poets”
Special Collections has recently acquired a new letter to add to the Brewer-Leigh Hunt Collection. This letter, written by Leigh Hunt to Vincent Novello in 1816, highlights Hunt’s close relationship with the noted composer and serves as a primary example of Hunt’s early correspondence. In it, Hunt talks of visiting Novello and of the giftsContinue reading ““It is a dangerous thing to make presents to poets””
Corkhill Civil War Diary
There are many Civil War diaries throughout Special Collections. Some are part of a collection of papers, while others are bound. There is a guide available that provides some details, and increasing numbers of Civil War diaries and documents are being digitized. Our goal is to have full digital access to all of our CivilContinue reading “Corkhill Civil War Diary”
John Gawsworth Notebooks
Special Collections has purchased additional materials to add to the John Gawsworth Papers. Gawsworth was a poet and leader of the neo-Georgian movement in Britain. He was also the second king of Redonda. As a poet he peaked early and at the age of 26 was the youngest member of the Royal Society. He fellContinue reading “John Gawsworth Notebooks”
The 1922 Fiji-New Zealand Expedition: A Tale of Two Journal Entries
During the summer of 1922, a group of University of Iowa faculty and graduate students with interests in the natural sciences embarked upon a four-month expedition to the South Pacific. Under the leadership of Prof. Charles C. Nutting of the Department of Zoology, the group visited the island nations of Fiji and New Zealand, gatheringContinue reading “The 1922 Fiji-New Zealand Expedition: A Tale of Two Journal Entries”
Letters from Theodore Roosevelt
Special Collections is pleased to accept a donation from Margaret L. Zimansky. It is an addition of two pieces to the papers of William B. Allison, a collection she donated in 1968. Allison was a senator from Iowa during Theodore Roosevelt’s administration, and this new donation consists of a letter and a postcard from RooseveltContinue reading “Letters from Theodore Roosevelt”
Elliott Ruben APA Materials
Special Collections has recently received a treasure trove of materials representing the full flower of the 20th century American amateur press movement. Elliott M. Ruben (1916-2009), a native of Long Island, New York, was active for his entire life in a number of amateur press associations (“apas”). An apa is a group of amateur printersContinue reading “Elliott Ruben APA Materials”