Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers, 1916-1965

Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers, 1916-65

7 boxes (2.5 linear ft.)

Collection number: MS 155

Abstract:

Poet and teacher. The papers include manuscripts of poems and stories; correspondence; materials related to writers' conferences and workshops; and Stevenson's book, First the Blade. Correspondence with editors, literary agents, readers, colleagues and friends reveal her personal life and career as a poet and writer.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

Restrictions on use:

The copyright owner of this collection is unknown. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Biographical Note

Cover design draft for Stevenson's
First the Blade ,undated

Candace Thurber was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1883. Her mother supported the family by taking in boarders. She graduated from the Packard Institute, received her A.B. from Smith College in 1904, and her M.A. from Columbia University. After completing her education she taught English in a private school and co-owned a children's bookstore in New York City. In 1912 she married Thomas Kennedy Stevenson, They had one daughter, Caroline. During her adult years Candace Stevenson lived in Missouri, New York City, and Vermont. Many of her poems appeared on the editorial page of the New York Times. She submitted many of her stories to magazines but endured much rejection. She published a collection of her poems, First the Blade, in 1952. Stevenson died July 30, 1968.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The papers include biographical notes, manuscripts of poems and stories, correspondence, materials related to writers' conferences and workshops, and Stevenson's book, First the Blade. Correspondence with editors, literary agents, readers, colleagues and friends reveal her personal life and career as a poet and writer.

This collection is organized into three series:

I. Biographical Materials
II. Conferences and Organizations
III. Writings

Information on Use

Terms of Access and Use

Restrictions on access:

The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

Restrictions on use:

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

History of the Collection

Candace Thurber Stevenson's papers were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by her daughter, Caroline Pullman in 1969.

Processing Information

Finding aid revised in 2002 by Gayla Spaulding, intern.

Additional Information

Contact Information

Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063

Phone: (413) 585-2970
Fax: (413) 585-2886

Email Reference Form: http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/emailform.html
URL: http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/

Language

English.

SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

Biographical sketch by her daughter, Caroline Pullman,	1969	Box 1: folder 2

Correspondence

Schaffner, John (literary agent) re: Singing Rock,	1953-65	Box 1: folder 3-4

with publishers in regard to poetry,	1920s-60s	Box 1: folder 5

with publishers in regard to O'Brien's, Best Short Stories,	1941	Box 1: folder 6

with publishers in regard to poetry,	1916-43, 1952-54	Box 1: folder 7

Contract and royalty reports for First the Blade,	1952	Box 1: folder 8

SERIES II. CONFERENCES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Antioch Writer's Conference,	1958	Box 2: folder 1

Bread Loaf Writer's Conference,	1957	Box 2: folder 2

Women Poets (a New York organization to which she belonged),	1956	Box 2: folder 3

Smith College class of 1904 in 1944 (includes correspondence from her class members),	1944	Box 2: folder 4

SERIES III. WRITINGS

Poems

A-O by title (printed),	n.d.	Box 3: folder 1

A-O (transcripts),	n.d.	Box 3: folder 2-15

P-Z (printed),	n.d.	Box 4: folder 1

P-Z (transcripts),	n.d.	Box 4: folder 2-8

Harold Vinali poetry class,	n.d.	Box 4: folder 9-10

Articles and drafts

"Baggage and Excess Baggage,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 1

"Contest Etiquette,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 2

"The County of Westchester,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 3

"Four-year Plan for Wilkie Voters" (includes criticisms),	1940	Box 5: folder 4

"Middle-sized Plan,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 5

"More Reflections on the Lazy Thirties,"	1927	Box 5: folder 6

"New Versions of Teaching Posture" (two versions and titles),	1940	Box 5: folder 7

"Portrait of a School Election,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 8

"Two Nuns out of Convents,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 9

"We, the Republicans,"	1940	Box 5: folder 10

"Your Money and Your Life" (includes correspondence),	1950	Box 5: folder 11

"Service Entrance" (first draft, includes criticisms),	n.d.	Box 5: folder 12

"Stuyvesant Court" (novel),	n.d.	Box 5: folder 13

Short stories

"Black Magic,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 14

"Board Lore,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 15

"Borderline,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 16

"The Christmas Gift,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 17

"The Crystal Ball,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 18

"Gateway to the Arena,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 19

"Georgette, Debutante,"	1927	Box 5: folder 20

"Good Egg, Bad Egg" (includes criticism),	1920	Box 5: folder 21

"The Grab Bag,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 22

"A Grasshopper Cambol,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 23

"Green Light" (two versions and titles),	n.d.	Box 5: folder 24

"Heaven Knows Why,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 25

"Hyena,"	n.d.	Box 5: folder 26

"The Invaders" (various versions, includes criticisms),	n.d.	Box 6: folder 1

"It Was Algernon,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 2

"The Kilmeny Look" (various version, includes criticisms),	1958	Box 6: folder 3

"A Legacy from Aunt Levinia" (various versions with criticisms),	1929-46	Box 6: folder 4

"May Day,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 5

"Offshore Wind,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 6

"Out of the Fog,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 7

"The Pewter Teapot,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 8

"The Private Life of Corey Ames,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 9

"Pumpilia's Broom,"	1951-52	Box 6: folder 10

"The Return,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 11

"Shades of Sherwood,"	1961	Box 6: folder 12

"A Sign for Miss Kitty,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 13

"The Singing Rock,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 14

"Spring Again,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 15

"Spring Holiday,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 16

"Sugar Loaf Scannel,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 17

"Top Secret,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 18

"Tranquil Souls,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 19

"Vendetta,"	n.d.	Box 6: folder 20

First The Blade

Typescript,	n.d.	Box 7: folder 1

Proof sheets,	1952	Box 7: folder 2

Book jackets,	1952	Box 7: folder 3

Publicity,	1952	Box 7: folder 4

Financial statements and correspondence with publisher, E.P. Dutton,	1952-55	Box 7: folder 5

Correspondence with publishers other than Dutton,	1952	Box 7: folder 6

Permission to reprint already published poems,	1949-50	Box 7: folder 7

Reviews of First the Blade and correspondence about reviews,	1952	Box 7: folder 8

Congratulatory notes,	1952	Box 7: folder 9