Contents


Collection Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Organization of the Collection

Search Terms

Contents

SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

SERIES II. CONFERENCES AND ORGANIZATIONS

SERIES III. WRITINGS

Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers, 1916-1965

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by mnsss.

Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

2003

Collection Overview

Creator:Stevenson, Candace Thurber
Title:Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers
Dates: 1916-65
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.
Extent: 7 boxes(2.5 linear ft.)
Language: English.
Identification: MS 155

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.

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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.

Return to the Table of Contents

Search Terms

Return to the Table of Contents

Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into three series:

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Box
Folder
11
Contents

SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS


Box
Folder
12
Biographical sketch by her daughter, Caroline Pullman, 1969


Correspondence

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

5
with publishers in regard to poetry, 1920s-60s

6
with publishers in regard to O'Brien's, Best Short Stories, 1941

7
with publishers in regard to poetry, 1916-43, 1952-54

8
Contract and royalty reports for First the Blade, 1952

SERIES II. CONFERENCES AND ORGANIZATIONS


Box
Folder
21
Antioch Writer's Conference, 1958

2
Bread Loaf Writer's Conference, 1957

3
Women Poets (a New York organization to which she belonged), 1956

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

SERIES III. WRITINGS



Poems

Box
Folder
31
A-O by title (printed), n.d.

2-15
A-O (transcripts), n.d.

Box
Folder
41
P-Z (printed), n.d.

2-8
P-Z (transcripts), n.d.

9-10
Harold Vinali poetry class, n.d.


Articles and drafts

Box
Folder
51
"Baggage and Excess Baggage," n.d.

2
"Contest Etiquette," n.d.

3
"The County of Westchester," n.d.

4
"Four-year Plan for Wilkie Voters" (includes criticisms), 1940

5
"Middle-sized Plan," n.d.

6
"More Reflections on the Lazy Thirties," 1927

7
"New Versions of Teaching Posture" (two versions and titles), 1940

8
"Portrait of a School Election," n.d.

9
"Two Nuns out of Convents," n.d.

10
"We, the Republicans," 1940

11
"Your Money and Your Life" (includes correspondence), 1950

12
"Service Entrance" (first draft, includes criticisms), n.d.

13
"Stuyvesant Court" (novel), n.d.


Short stories

Box
Folder
514
"Black Magic," n.d.

15
"Board Lore," n.d.

16
"Borderline," n.d.

17
"The Christmas Gift," n.d.

18
"The Crystal Ball," n.d.

19
"Gateway to the Arena," n.d.

20
"Georgette, Debutante," 1927

21
"Good Egg, Bad Egg" (includes criticism), 1920

22
"The Grab Bag," n.d.

23
"A Grasshopper Cambol," n.d.

24
"Green Light" (two versions and titles), n.d.

25
"Heaven Knows Why," n.d.

26
"Hyena," n.d.

Box
Folder
61
"The Invaders" (various versions, includes criticisms), n.d.

2
"It Was Algernon," n.d.

3
"The Kilmeny Look" (various version, includes criticisms), 1958

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

5
"May Day," n.d.

6
"Offshore Wind," n.d.

7
"Out of the Fog," n.d.

8
"The Pewter Teapot," n.d.

9
"The Private Life of Corey Ames," n.d.

10
"Pumpilia's Broom," 1951-52

11
"The Return," n.d.

12
"Shades of Sherwood," 1961

13
"A Sign for Miss Kitty," n.d.

14
"The Singing Rock," n.d.

15
"Spring Again," n.d.

16
"Spring Holiday," n.d.

17
"Sugar Loaf Scannel," n.d.

18
"Top Secret," n.d.

19
"Tranquil Souls," n.d.

20
"Vendetta," n.d.


First The Blade

Box
Folder
71
Typescript, n.d.

2
Proof sheets, 1952

3
Book jackets, 1952

4
Publicity, 1952

5
Financial statements and correspondence with publisher, E.P. Dutton, 1952-55

6
Correspondence with publishers other than Dutton, 1952

7
Permission to reprint already published poems, 1949-50

8
Reviews of First the Blade and correspondence about reviews, 1952

9
Congratulatory notes, 1952