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Dos Passos mss., 1903-1950

Summary Information

Repository
Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Lilly Library
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu

Creator
Dos Passos, John, 1896-1970

Title
Dos Passos mss., 1903-1950

Collection No.
LMC 1283

Extent
250 items

Language
Materials are in English.

Abstract
The Dos Passos mss., 1903-1950, consist of letters and college writings of author John Dos Passos, 1896-1970, and legal files and correspondence of his family in connection with the estate of his father John Randolph Dos Passos, 1844-1917.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

John Dos Passos was an American writer of the post-World War I "Lost Generation," most famous for his trilogy U.S.A.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

The letters from John Dos Passos are primarily to his aunt, Mary Lucy (Dos Passos) Gordon, (Mrs. James Riely Gordon), although a few others are present as well. The writings are papers for a Harvard English class, 1912-1913. Also included is an unpublished novel written as a class project, "Afterglow," and the original autograph manuscript of his first published work "Against American Literature" (New Republic, Oct. 14, 1916). The legal files are chiefly those of James Riely Gordon and his wife, Mary Lucy (Dos Passos) Gordon, concerned with the estate and law suits by and against it, of John Dos Passos, Sr.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Acquired: 1980
Usage Restrictions
Prior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library, however, patrons from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in advance of their visits to ascertain availability of materials.

Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly Library.

Preferred Citation
[Item], Dos Passos mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Processing Information
Processed by Staff.

Completed in 2013

Box 1 Correspondence. 1903-1920 
Correspondence. 1921-1930 
Correspondence. 1931-1950 
Chronology and Testimony. Aug. 5, 1916-Oct. 10, 1924 
Writings: "Afterglow." Harvard [1915?]  (I)
Writings: "Afterglow." Harvard [1915?]  (II)

(carbon)

Writings: "Afterglow." Harvard [1915?] 

(photocopy)

Writings: Freshman themes. Harvard English class assignments. Dec. 1912-1913 
Writings: Freshman themes. Harvard English class assignments. Dec. 1912-1913 

(photocopy)

Writings: "A Meadow of Tall Grass." (I)
Writings: "A Meadow of Tall Grass." (II)
Writings: "A Meadow of Tall Grass." (I)

(photocopies)

Writings: "A Meadow of Tall Grass." (II)

(photocopies)

Miscellaneous envelopes with clipping
Writings: "Against American Literature." Ca. 1916 
Box 2 Legal: transcript, pp. 1-183. Mar. 27, 1944 
Legal: transcript, pp. 184-416. Mar. 27, 1944 
Legal: transcript, pp. 417-596. Mar. 27, 1944 
Legal: transcript, pp. 597-800. Mar. 27, 1944 
Legal: transcript, pp. 801-1022. Mar. 27, 1944 
Legal: transcript, pp. 1001-1197. Mar. 27, 1944 

(p. 1150 missing)

Box 3 Legal correspondence. 1917-1926 
Powers of attorney made (and revoked) by John Dos Passos. 1917-1940 
First account of executors. 1924 
Supplemental account of the executors and litigation. 1924-1926 
Pilgrim Mining Properties. 1938-1939 
Legal correspondence.  
John Dos Passos v. Mary L. Gordon, et al. 1941-1942 
Byron Ralston personal misc.
Miscellaneous
Box 4 Deeds. 1892-1926 

(copies)

Sandy Point Corp. correspondence. 1926-1940 
Sale of Sandy Point Farm(s). 1926 
Sandy Point Farms foreclosure. 1938 
Sandy Point Farm(s) - sale(s), 1937-1943;  undated 
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