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Lockridge mss., 1941-1947

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
Lockridge, Ross, 1914-1948.

Title
Lockridge mss., 1941-1947

Collection No.
LMC 1675

Extent
34 items

Language
Materials are in English.

Abstract
The Lockridge mss., 1941-1947, consist of writings of Ross Franklin Lockridge, Jr.,1914-1948. They include the manuscripts of The Dream of the Flesh of Iron and Raintree County.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Lockridge was born on April 25, 1914 in Bloomington, Indiana. The family moved to Fort Wayne for several years, but later returned to Bloomington. Lockridge attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where he was known for his impressive academic record. In 1937, he married Vernice Baker and together the couple had four children, Ernest, Jeanne, Ross, and Lawrence. Lockridge died on March 6, 1948 in Bloomington, Indiana, several weeks after the publication of Raintree County. The novel was his only book.

Arrangement

Organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Clippings; III. Gontran Goulden; IV. Writings.

Scope and Content Note

The collection also contains a photograph of Lockridge, a folder with a small amount of notes about Raintree County, and a fragment of the full manuscript.

Published in 1948, Raintree County is considered by some to be the "Great American Novel." The story follows the character John Shawnessey during the course of a single day, July 4, 1892, and features flashbacks to the time period after the Civil War. It is set in the fictional Raintree County, which is in part based on Henry County, Indiana, where Lockridge spent his childhood summers at his grandmother's home. Both the original and printer's manuscripts contain extensive revisions and edits made by Lockridge.

The Dream of the Flesh of Iron is an unpublished epic poem that Lockridge wrote while teaching as a graduate student at Harvard. It is 399 pages long.

Note on Indexing Term - "Indiana University": Ross Franklin Lockridge was an English professor.

Related Material

Lockridge mss. II and Lockridge mss. III, also located at the Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Acquired: 1968-1969
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], Lockridge mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Processing Information
Processed by Allison Haack

Completed in 2013


Box 1 Raintree County Original Manuscript

(12 folders)


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1-100


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 101-200


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 201-300


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 301-400


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 401-500


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 501-600


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 601-700


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 701-800


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 801-900


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 901-1000


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1001-1100


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

1101-1200


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

1201-1300


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1301-1400


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1401-1500


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1501-1600


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1601-1700


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1701-1800


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 1801-1827, 1888-2000


Raintree County Printer's Manuscript

pp. 2001-2057


The Dream of the Flesh of Iron Manuscript

1947 Photograph of Ross Franklin Lockridge Jr.

1969 Notes about Raintree County

1946-1947 Lockridge, Ross Franklin, The Riddle of Raintree County

pp. 181-355


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