Virginia Writer's Club records

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.