PUBLIC "-//University of Virginia::Library::Special Collections Dept.//TEXT (US::ViU::01140::John Casey Papers)//EN" "ViU01140.sgm" A Guide to the John Casey PapersCasey, John. 10973-aProcessed by Special Collections Dept. staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Elizabeth SlombaFunded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. University of Virginia Library © 1997 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.

Conditions of Use

20 Kilobytes

 Machine-readable finding aid derived from WordPerfect. [Date of source: 1997. Description is in English. Feb 18, 2004 PUBLIC "-//University of Virginia::Library::Special Collections Dept.//TEXT (US::ViU::01140::John Casey Papers)//EN" "ViU01140.sgm" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Feb 27, 2004 converted to conform to eadVIVA.dtd by vivastrict.xsl A Guide to the John Casey Papers A Collection in the Special Collections Department 10973-a

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library 1997 Special Collections Department Staff 1998 Elizabeth Slomba Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, #10973-a Descriptive Summary University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
Alderman Library University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 USA
John Casey Papers 1969-1993 10973-a ca. 210 English Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research. However, Photocopying is restricted except by written permission of Mr. Casey.

 Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

 Preferred Citation

John Casey Papers, Accession 10973-a, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

 Acquisition Information

This collection was loaned to the Library by John Casey of Charlottesville, Virginia, on December 16, 1993.

 Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

 Scope and Content

This literary collection consists of ca. 210 items, 1969-1993, pertaining to the writing and teaching career of John Casey. There are correspondence, manuscripts, a photograph, and printed material.

The correspondence contains letters from various contemporary authors or other letters of interest. On October 29, 1980, Janet Lembkewrites about the Creative Rightersat the Stauntonprison, mentioning the interest of Casey and Mary Lee Settleand Breece D'J Pancake(d. 1979) as a former guest. On March 10, 1982, John Barthinquires about a particular phrase re the "sotweed factor." Letters of 1982 include ones from David Huddle(1942-) and Tobias Wolff(1945-) expressing an interest in becoming a writer at the University of Virginia. On October 7, 1982, Mary Ryanwrites about the Western Division of the Creative Writing workshop, mentioning future guests Grace Paley, Wallace Earle Stegner(1909-), and [E. L.] Doctorow(1931-). Letters of 1983 from Mary Carter, Jonathan Penner(1940-), and Vance Nye Bourjailyconcern the Henry Hoyns Chair of Englishat the University of Virginia. On August 27, 1984, Scott Donaldsonwrites concerning his biography on John Cheever. A letter, n.y. April 18, from Amy Cunningham, The Washingtonian, mentions several of Casey's former students, including Claude Williams(or, Mike High), Lewis Jeffrey Zeldman, Edward P. Jones, and James Alan McPherson(1943-). A letter of October 30 n.y., from Frederick Bradleeconcerns his solo performance "The Glory of Language." Three undated letters of Lewis Jeffery Zeldmandiscuss his current and future novels. A letter, December 11, 1986, from Amanda Vaillof Viking Penquin Inc., refers to Casey's comment on Rebecca Brown's The Haunted House. On December 28, 1989, Waller H. Horsleywrites concerning the gift to the University of Virginia Board of Visitorsmembers of an autographed copy of Casey's Spartinaand his receipt of the National Book Award. On January 3, 1990 Austin E. Quigley(1942-) also writes about the National Book Award.

A letter, November 2, 1992, from Maureen Howard(1930-) mentions Eudora Welty(1909-) and being invited to read at the Williams Corner Bookstore. On November 11, 1992, Hugo Weisgall, of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, informs Casey of being chosen to receive the prestigious Mildred and Harold Strauss Living. A lengthy and social letter, November 29, 1992, from Richard [Jones], discusses national politics, political figures, writers, and other social matters. Among the persons mentioned in Jones' letter are: William Jefferson Clinton(1946-), George Bush(1924-), Edward Moore Kennedy(1932-), H. Ross Perot(1930-), Constance [Casey Varmus], Helenand Breece D'J Pancake, [James Alan] McPherson, Betty Howland, Saul Bellow(1915-), Bill[William] and Liz Shannon, Bertha Donahue, and Mark Scowcroft. On February 27, 1993, "Sandro" [ Alexander Stille] writes about his work on a book on the Mafia in Italy[ Excellent Cadavers: The Mafia and the Death of the First Italian Republic] and mentions Tod A. Marder.

There is a letter, March 14, 1993, from Casey's uncle, Charles M. Dudley, mentioning the movie rights to Spartinaand family news. There is a lengthy letter, April 2, 1993, from "Tom" describing life in Paris, particularly rowing and racing in France. A letter, April 2, 1993, from the William Morris Agency, Inc.concerns the purchase of Spartina. On April 7, 1993, Jonathan Richardson Smithpraises Casey's Testimonty and Demeanorand Spartina, and discusses the subject matter in his dissertation [ The Rise of the Novel Trilogy in the U. S., 1890-1940] and Pearl Buck's House of Earthtrilogy. There is a letter, April 14, 1993, from Casey's sister, Constance [Casey Varmus]concerning family matters. Letters of the spring of 1993 often refer to Casey's receipt of the Mildred and Harold Strauss Livingand the Sewanee Writers' Conference. There are letters from authors Alexander Theroux(April 14, 1993) and Rita Mae Brown(April 20, 1993), and Susan Brownell(April 22, 1993).

A letter, April 17, 1993, from Jan C. Shapin, discusses the foundation of writing and what a writers conference should be. Marianna Wigginswrites on April 24, 1993, enclosing her short story, "Can You Smell My Sandwich?" A letter, May 27, 1993, from Alexandra [Kuczynski]mentions the American Academy of Arts and Lettersceremony, Dana Groseclose, Michael Carlisle, and Louis Theroux. On June 3, 1993, Jeff Pearsonwrites about finishing his novel The Luck of Dan Daniel. Letters of August 1993 mention the Sewanee Writers' Conference of that summer. There are two letters, August 5 & 27, from Reid Mitchellconcerning his book The Vacant Chair, his novella Things Ruth Taught Me, and Listowel's Writers Week. There are letters from authors Wyatt Prunty(August 5, 1993), Brenda K. Marshall(August 6, 1993), and Lawrence C. Melton(August 6 & September 10, 1993), concerning Sewaneeand some of their own writings. A letter, August 16, 1993, from Charles M. Dudleyconcerning an honorady degree in literature for Casey. Letters of August 1993 from Constance [Casey Varmus]reminisce over the Casey familyduring a move from one house to another. There is an undated letter from Casey's daughter "Nell" [ Eleanor Dudley Casey], of the William Morris Agency, Inc., concerning making the movie of Spartinaand offering suggestions for director and/or producer, naming Joel Castleberg, Mike Steinberg, and Roger Hedden. There is also an undated note from Eugene J. McCarthy(1916-).

Other materials include works submitted to the committee for consideration for the Henry Hoyns Fellowship; interviews with John Casey, one by Nancy Bunge; and miscellaneous items, including [literary] annual reports, a "schematic plan for a paw-paw patch," and seating arrangement for a photograph (in oversize folder) and guest list for the American Academy of Arts and Lettersawards ceremony.

 Container List Correspondence Letters to John Casey 1980-1984 Box 1 18 items Letters to John Casey 1986-1992 Box 1 9 items Letters to John Casey 1993 Jan-Mar Box 1 13 items Letters to John Casey 1993 Apr-May Box 1 20 items Letters to John Casey 1993 Jun-Oct, n.d. Box 1 29 items Topical Articles and Book Reviews by John Casey 1969-1972, n.d. Box 1 4 items Course Evaluations 1992 Box 1 15 items Henry Hoyns Fellowship (2 folders) 1978 Box 1 10 items Interviews with John Casey 1983 Box 1 2 items Miscellaneous 1974-1994 Box 1 15 items Printed re John Casey 1989-1993 Box 1 15 items Manuscripts by John Casey "Lapses," a long story by John Casey n.d. Box 1 TMs Spartina, a novel by John Casey (2 folders) [1989] Box 1 TMs Short Stories by John Casey n.d. Box 1 2 items Short Stories (Printed) by John Casey 1969-1972 Box 1 2 items Manuscripts by Others "La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans," Mississippi Review, by Ann Beattie 1978 Spring Box 2 Printed "Leaving Home" by Ann Beattie (2 folders) n.d. Box 2 TMs Short Stories by Students: Michael Jennings n.d. Box 2 5 items Short Stories by Students: Edward P. Jones 1978 Box 2 4 items Short Stories by Students: Walter Briscoe Norris, Jr. (2 folders) 1976-1981, n.d. Box 2 14 items Short Stories by Students: Dawe -- Portwood 1971-1978, n.d. Box 3 10 items Short Stories by Students: R[ ] -- Yarbrough 1973-1976, n.d. Box 3 10 items Short Stories by Students: Unknown author 1980, n.d. Box 3 4 items Oversize "Testimony and Demeanor," the New Yorker, by John Casey 1971 Jun Oversize Page Proof American Academy of Arts and Letters Ceremonial: members and recipients of awards, May 19, 1993. [See "Miscellaneous" folder for seating arrangement] 1993 May Oversize Photograph