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Virginia Writer's Club records

 Collection
Identifier: M 160

Scope and Content Information

The Club does not possess minutes for the years 1923-1961 and the current collection contains materials from 1951 to 1994. The archives includes correspondence, minutes, manuscripts, achievement notices, news clippings, by-laws, photographs and membership lists. The bulk of the material dates from the 1980s and 1990s and has been submitted to the archives by various members of the club.

Dates

  • Creation: 1951-

Creator

Access

Collection is open for use without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

None.

Historical Information

The Virginia Writer's Club was organized on 20 November 1918 at the instigation of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Travers Clover and under the sponsorship of Dr. Orie Latham Hatcher, who invited James Branch Cabell and a few other Richmond writers to afternoon tea and proposed the formation of a club "to make Richmond an influence in the world of letters and to line it up with other literary centers of the country".

During its early years the club attracted many who would go on to represent the city and the state in the literary world. Many of its members endorsed the short-lived Reviewer and numerous contributed articles over its four year run. After four years the Club had 45 members, 26 of whom had published books. Other had contributed to magazines, newspapers or other literary-related endeavors Meetings were held monthly and included readings of member's work and an occasional speaker. For much of the period between 1923 and 1961 the Club was led by Hattie Belle Gresham, more of an organizer and promoter of literature than a writer.

In October 1961 the Club was reorganized with new officers and by-laws. The somewhat modified character the Club assumed in 1961 has been maintained ever since. It is an interesting association of published writers in various fields for the promotion of good writing, or, in the words of the by-laws, "to provide a means of exchanging ideas and stimulating the art and craft of professional writing." A history of the Club is included in the collection.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arrangement Collection is arrange alphabetically by topic and chronologically therein.

Organization Series I in the collection is arranged alphabetically by topic. Series II is composed of material submitted by Gordon and Lois Bennett who served as editors of the club's newsletter.

Acquisition Information

Received from Secretary Edgar MacDonald, and separate donations from members.

Processing Information

Collection processed in February 1990 and updated in 1994.

Title
A Guide to the Virginia Writer's Club Archives, 1951-
Subtitle
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library M160
Status
Completed
Author
Ray Bonis
Date
© 2001 By Copyright Virginia Commonwealth University. All Rights Reserved.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Part of the VCU James Branch Cabell Library Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and Archives 901 Park Avenue
Richmond Virginia 23284 USA US
(804) 828-1108