Michael Davidson Papers, 1967-2008 (MSS 824)

Extent: 2.6 Linear feet (7 archives boxes)

Correspondence of Michael Davidson, poet, Professor Emeritus of American literature, and first curator of the Archive for New Poetry at the UC San Diego Library.

Michael Davidson was born on December 18, 1944 in Oakland, California. Davidson attended graduate school at the University of Buffalo from 1968-1969. Davidson has written eight books of poetry, notably including The Landing of Rochambeau. He has also created many works of prose and collaborated with other poets, including, Lyn Hejinian, Ron Silliman, and Barrett Watten. Davidson has also focused on disability issues, authoring many critical works such as Distressing Language: Disability and the Poetics of Error, and Invalid Modernism: Disability and the Missing Body of the Aesthetic. Davidson's topics of study include modern poetry, cultural studies, gender studies, and modern American literature. Davidson also works as a literary theorist and an editor, and edited George Oppen's New Collected Poems. Michael Davidson was the first curator of the Archive of New Poetry (ANP) at the UC San Diego Library, Special Collections & Archives (SC&A). Davidson was the creator of many primary records preserved in the Archive for New Poetry Curator's files (RSS 1034), also held in SC&A. Davidson began as a post-doctoral appointee in 1974. Two years later he was permanently hired by the Library to serve as "Associate Research Historian," the official title for the ANP curator. Davidson strongly influenced the shape and vision of the ANP, encouraging and aiding in the acquisition of a number of its most significant papers and collections. Throughout most of his term at the library, Davidson also taught in the Department of Literature. In 1985, after receiving tenure in the Literature Department, he resigned his position at the ANP in order to teach literature full-time.

The collection contains Michael Davidson's correspondence, arranged alphabetically. Notable correspondents include Rae Armantrout, Bill Berkson, Joe Brainard, Fanny Howe, Jerome Rothenberg, and most extensively, Michael Palmer. This collection also contains letters from Michael Davidson's brother, John Davidson. Additions to this collection may occur in the future.

UC San Diego. Archive for New Poetry Curator's Correspondence and Subject Files. RSS 1034. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.

Container List

CORRESPONDENCE

Box 1 Folder 1
A - Miscellaneous

Includes a long letter from David Antin.

Box 1 Folder 2
Abbott, Keith, 1978-1980
Box 1 Folder 3
Adam, Helen, 1972-1981
Box 1 Folder 4
Allen, Don, 1976-1988
Box 1 Folder 5
Altieri, Charles, 1977-1988
Box 1 Folder 6
Andrews, Bruce, 1978-1989

Includes correspondence from Charles Bernstein and Bruce Andrews at L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E.

Box 1 Folder 7
Armantrout, Rae, 1975-1987

Includes "The Panoply Of," with revisions, a selection of other poems, and "Why Don't Women do Language-Centered Writing?" by Rae Armantrout.

Box 1 Folder 8
Armstrong, Nancy, 1985-1989
Box 1 Folder 9
Auster, Paul, 1972-1988
Box 1 Folder 10
B - Miscellaneous
Box 1 Folder 11
Baron, Todd, ca. 1986

Todd Baron edited Issue, a literary magazine.

Box 1 Folder 12
Bartlett, Lee, 1982-1988
Box 1 Folder 13
Baude, Dawn Michelle, ca. 1985
Box 1 Folder 14
Beckett, Tom, 1979-1987
Box 1 Folder 15
Benson, Steve, 1978-1981, 1999
Box 1 Folder 16
Berkson, Bill, 1979-1985
Box 1 Folder 17
Bernstein, Charles, 1979-1988

Includes an edited copy of "Semblance," written for a special issue of Reality Studios. Includes a biographical note on Bernstein, written by himself.

Box 1 Folder 18
Berssenbrugge, Mei-Mei, ca. 1983
Box 1 Folder 19
Bertholf, Robert, 1968, 1974-1988

Robert Bertholf was the curator of the Poetry Archive at Buffalo. Includes a copy of Bertholf's piece on Michael Davidson's book, The Mutabilities & The Foul Papers. Includes promotional material for the magazine, Credences. Includes photocopies of Bertholf's correspondence with other recipients.

Box 1 Folder 20
Birchard, Guy, 1979, 1986-1987

Includes three pamphlets with poems by Guy Birchard.

Box 1 Folder 21
Blaisdell, Gus, 1977, 1985
Box 1 Folder 22
Blau DuPlessis, Rachel, 1984-1989
Box 1 Folder 23
Boone, Bruce, 1983-1985
Box 1 Folder 24
Boughn, Mike, 1984-1985

Includes Some Initial Considerations of William Carlos Williams and the New Prosody, with some handwritten edits.

Box 2 Folder 1
Brainard, Joe, 1984
Box 2 Folder 2
Brito, Manuel, 1985-1990, 1999-2001
Box 2 Folder 3
Bromige, David, 1985-1988

Includes poetry and a flyer for a poetry reading.

Box 2 Folder 4
Brownstein, Michael, 1981
Box 2 Folder 5
Burnett, Gary and Kathy, 1978-1986

Includes poetry by Gary Burnett.

Box 2 Folder 6
Burnside, Madeleine, 1976-1982
Box 2 Folder 7
Butterick, George, 1974-1984
Box 2 Folder 8
Byrd, Don, 1980-1985
Box 2 Folder 9
C - Miscellaneous
Box 2 Folder 10
Campbell, Bruce, 1986-1989
Box 2 Folder 11
Charters, Ann, 1981
Box 2 Folder 12
Chester, Laura, 1979-1981
Box 2 Folder 13
Coolidge, Clark, 1984-1985
Box 2 Folder 14
Corbett, Bill, 1982-1988, 2004
Box 2 Folder 15
Creeley, Robert, 1972-1988
Box 2 Folder 16
Cuddihy, Michael, 1980-1985

Cuddihy was the creator of Ironwood Magazine.

Box 2 Folder 17
D - Miscellaneous

Includes one piece of correspondence from Robert Duncan.

Box 2 Folder 18
Darragh, Tina, 1987-1988
Box 2 Folder 19
Darras, Jacques, 1981-1989
Box 2 Folder 20
Davidson, John, between 1975 and 1990

John Davidson is Michael Davidson's brother.

Box 2 Folder 21
Davidson, Robert and Mildred, 1983

Michael Davidson's parents.

Box 2 Folder 22
Davis, Lydia, 1981-1988, 2004

Includes "She Says and What you Learn" by Lydia Davis. Includes correspondence to Dr. Pearce about the University of California, San Diego writing program.

Box 2 Folder 23
Dorbin, Sandy, ca. 1977
Box 2 Folder 24
Dorn, Ed, 1973-1978
Box 2 Folder 25
Duke University Press - Joanne Ferguson, 1983-1984

Discusses an anthology of women poets planned by George Butterick.

Box 2 Folder 26
Drucker, Johanna, 1986, 1988
Box 2 Folder 27
E - Miscellaneous
Box 2 Folder 28
Einzig, Barbara, 1977-1987

Includes a course proposal focusing on Gertrude Stein and William Carlos Williams.

Box 3 Folder 1
Ellingham, Lew, 1982-1988

Includes correspondence from Robert Bertholf concerning Credences.

Box 3 Folder 2
Elmslie, Kenward, 1985-1986
Box 3 Folder 3
Enemark, Brett, 1975-1978

Includes discussion of literary journals, Iron and Coyote.

Box 3 Folder 4
Eshleman, Clayton, 1973-1990, 2000
Box 3 Folder 5
F - Miscellaneous
Box 3 Folder 6
Federman, Raymond, 1983, 1987
Box 3 Folder 7
Foley, Jack, 1987-1988
Box 3 Folder 8
Forche, Carolyn, 1977, 1987
Box 3 Folder 9
Fourcade, Dominique, 1986, 2000-2008
Box 3 Folder 10
Fraser, Kathleen, 1979-1989

Includes poetry and writings by Fraser; Trevignana, Puccini, Gabriela, Green and Blue piece for Francie, Spring, and Lily, Lois, Flaubert: The Site of Loss. Also includes a book proposal for The Innovative Tradition in Feminist Poetics and Practice.

Box 3 Folder 11
Fredman, Steve, 1974-1988

Includes poetry by Fredman.

Box 3 Folder 12
Freilicher, Melvyn, ca. 1983-1984
Box 3 Folder 13
G - Miscellaneous

Includes information on an anthology of Language Poetry to be edited by Douglas Messerli.

Box 3 Folder 14
Gaynor, Christopher, 1978, 1984
Box 3 Folder 15
Gelpi, Albert, 1981-1990
Box 3 Folder 16
Gluck, Robert, 1986, 1990, 1999
Box 3 Folder 17
Golding, Alan, 1983-1988, 1999

Includes a copy of The Landing of Rochambeau, by Michael Davidson, with notes entitled "Cancellations for Stephen McAdams," by an unknown author.

Box 3 Folder 18
Goodman, Mitchell, 1986
Box 3 Folder 19
Grahn, Judy, 1985

Includes correspondence with Grahn's agent, Kris Bradenburger.

Box 3 Folder 20
Gregory, Robert, ca. 1988-1990
Box 3 Folder 21
Grenier, Robert, 1986-1989
Box 3 Folder 22
Grossinger, Richard, 1975, 1981-1983
Box 3 Folder 23
H - Miscellaneous

Includes correspondence from Anselm Hollo.

Box 3 Folder 24
Hall, Joan Joffe, 1975-1979

Includes many poems by Hall.

Box 3 Folder 25
Hannan, Jack - Mansfield Book Mart, 1978-1980
Box 3 Folder 26
Hartnett, Stephen, 1988-1989
Box 3 Folder 27
Hass, Robert, 1971-1985
Box 3 Folder 28
Hatlen, Barton, 1982-1985

Hatlen was the executive editor of Sagetrieb.

Box 3 Folder 29
Hejinian, Lyn, 1981-1999

Includes ephemera and untitled poems.

Box 3 Folder 30
Hemensley, Kris, 1974-1975
Box 3 Folder 31
Hickman, Lee, 1980-1989
Box 4 Folder 1
Hicks, Andrea, 1977-1978

Includes a performance flyer.

Box 4 Folder 2
Hocquard, Emmanuel, 1985-1990

Includes a proposal for a Center of French and American contemporary poetry.

Box 4 Folder 3
Holzer, Burghild, 1980, 1983
Box 4 Folder 4
Hough, Lindy, 1974-1976, 1981

Includes "In the Settlement of the Golden Boy," a birthday poem for Michael Davidson.

Box 4 Folder 5
Howe, Fanny, 1984-1990

Includes "Eva Nova," a poem and ephemera.

Box 4 Folder 6
Howe, Susan, 1985, 1990
Box 4 Folder 7
Irby, Ken, 1984
Box 4 Folder 8
J -Miscellaneous
Box 4 Folder 9
Jabe̒s, Edmond and Arlette, 1983-1984
Box 4 Folder 10
Jaffe, Sherril and Hal, 1973-1989

Includes the works "Nobody's Business," and "My Baby."

Box 4 Folder 11
Jarolim, Ed, 1983-1985
Box 4 Folder 12
Jenkins, Margaret, 1976-1977
Box 4 Folder 13
Jones, Danell, 1982-1984

Includes the work, "The Theoretical Paths of Lovers," by Danell Jones.

Box 4 Folder 14
Jones, David, 1980-1981, 1990
Box 4 Folder 15
Joris, Pierre, ca. 1984-1989
Box 4 Folder 16
K -Miscellaneous
Box 4 Folder 17
Kodolanyi, Gyula, 1984

Includes works by Kodolanyi and biographical information.

Box 4 Folder 18
Kyger, Joanne, 1976
Box 4 Folder 19
L - Miscellaneous
Box 4 Folder 20
LaPalma, Maria, 1981-1986

Includes the work "Glitches," by Maria LaPalma.

Box 4 Folder 21
Lenhart, Gary - St. Mark's, 1981-1982
Box 4 Folder 22
Loewinsohn, Ron, 1968-1993

Includes correspondence written to Loewinsohn by Davidson.

Box 4 Folder 23
Logan, Judy, 1976-1978
Box 4 Folder 24
Logan, John, 1967-1973
Box 4 Folder 25
M - Miscellaneous
Box 4 Folder 26
MacCormack, Karen, 1988-1989
Box 4 Folder 27
Mackey, Nate, 1983-1989
Box 4 Folder 28
Marshall, Jack, 1975, 1986
Box 4 Folder 29
Martin, John - Black Sparrow Press, 1976-1989
Box 5 Folder 1
Mayer, Bernadette, 1981-1982
Box 5 Folder 2
McCaffery, Steve, 1978-1999
Box 5 Folder 3
McClain, Scott, ca. 1981-1983

Includes poetry written for Michael McClure and Michael Davidson.

Box 5 Folder 4
McClure, Michael, ca. 1970-1980
Box 5 Folder 5
McNaughton, Duncan, 1975-1985
Box 5 Folder 6
Messerli, Douglas, 1976-1988
Box 5 Folder 7
Metcalf, Paul, 1981-1985
Box 5 Folder 8
Miller, Chuck - Bear Hug Books, 1977-1978
Box 5 Folder 9
N - Miscellaneous

Includes brief correspondence with New College San Francisco.

Box 5 Folder 10
Nagy, Jean, ca. 1977
Box 5 Folder 11
Nicholls, Peter, 1988-1990, 2003
Box 5 Folder 12
O - Miscellaneous
Box 5 Folder 13
Olea, Hector, 1986-1987

Discusses a gift of Olea's work to the Archive for New Poetry.

Box 5 Folder 14
Oppen, George and Mary, 1978, 1986
Box 5 Folder 15
Ott, Gil, 1981-1982, 2002
Box 5 Folder 16
P - Miscellaneous
Box 5 Folder 17
Padgett, Ron, 1980-1985
Box 5 Folder 18-19
Palmer, Michael, 1973-1987, 2000
Box 5 Folder 20
Parkinson, Tom, 1985

Concerns Robert Duncan receiving the National Poetry Award.

Box 5 Folder 21
Paul, Sherman, 1980, 1985-1986
Box 5 Folder 22
Peck, John, 1987-1989
Box 5 Folder 23
Perelman, Bob, 1978-1987
Box 5 Folder 24
Perloff, Marjorie, 1979-1987, 2000-2001
Box 5 Folder 25
Peters, Robert, 1978-1983

Includes ephemera. Includes notes about a performance of "Ludwig," with Robert Peters, directed by Paul Vangelisti.

Box 5 Folder 26
Phillips, Dennis, 1981-1990
Box 5 Folder 27
Phillips, Francis - The Poetry Center at San Francisco State, 1985
Box 5 Folder 28
Powell, Jim - Occident, 1979-1980
Box 5 Folder 29
Quadrani, Federico, 1984
Box 5 Folder 30
Quartermain, Peter, 1987, 2002-2005
Box 5 Folder 31
Quinn, Sister Bernetta, 1982-1987
Box 5 Folder 32
R - Miscellaneous
Box 5 Folder 33
Rakosi, Carl, 1974-1981
Box 5 Folder 34
Rasula, Ted, 1976-1978, 1988
Box 6 Folder 1
Ratcliffe, Stephen, 1985-1989, 1992, 1999-2001
Box 6 Folder 2
Raworth, Tom, 1983-1985, 2000
Box 6 Folder 3
Reed, Marthe, 1985-1987
Box 6 Folder 4
Roberts, Steve, 1982-1983
Box 6 Folder 5
Robinson, Kit, 1982-1988
Box 6 Folder 6
Rodefer, Stephen, 1982-1990
Box 6 Folder 7
Rose, Bob, ca. 1976-1979
Box 6 Folder 8
Rothenberg, Jerome and Diane, 1982-1986
Box 6 Folder 9
Royet-Journoud, Claude, 1984-1990, 2004
Box 6 Folder 10
S - Miscellaneous

Includes brief correspondence from Gary Snyder.

Box 6 Folder 11
Scalapino, Leslie, 1976-1988

Includes "Reversed Songs," by Scalapino and an Open Letter of Protest to Marjorie Perloff written by Tina Darragh.

Box 6 Folder 12
Schenk, Brigitte, 1980-1985
Box 6 Folder 13
Seiler, Barry, 1976-1977
Box 6 Folder 14
Sharp, Tom, 1979-1983
Box 6 Folder 15
Shevelow, Kathryn, ca. 1981-1983
Box 6 Folder 16
Shoemaker, Jack, 1973-1978, 1985
Box 6 Folder 17
Silberman, Alex, 1972-1981

Includes "Burnt Hair in Contingency and Flagellation: A Proverb."

Box 6 Folder 18
Silliman, Ron, 1975-1986
Box 6 Folder 19
Sobin, Gustaf, 1989, 2000-2002
Box 6 Folder 20
Spanos, William, 1975-1978
Box 6 Folder 21
Sternbach, David, 1983-1989
Box 6 Folder 22
Sukenick, Ronald and Lynn, 1978-1983
Box 6 Folder 23
T - Miscellaneous
Box 6 Folder 24
Taggart, John, 1974-1984
Box 6 Folder 25
Tarn, Nathaniel, 1978-1982, 2000-2002
Box 6 Folder 26
Terrell, Carroll - Paideuma , 1982-1984
Box 6 Folder 27
Thorne, Joan, 1975-1986

Includes poetry.

Box 6 Folder 28
University of California Press, 1982-1987
Box 7 Folder 1
Von Hallberg, Robert, 1979, 1982
Box 7 Folder 2
W - Miscellaneous
Box 7 Folder 3
Wakoski, Diane, 1976-1977, 1984-1990
Box 7 Folder 4
Waldman, Anne, 1982-1989
Box 7 Folder 5
Waldrop, Rosemarie and Keith, 1978-1988, 1999
Box 7 Folder 6
Watten, Barret, 1980-1987
Box 7 Folder 7
Weinberger, Eliot, 1984-1988
Box 7 Folder 8
Wellman, Don - O.ARS, 1981

Includes works by Wellman.

Box 7 Folder 9
Wesling, Donald, 1975-1989
Box 7 Folder 10
Williams, Jonathan, 1982, 1985
Box 7 Folder 11
Woodward, Kathleen, 1974-1986
Box 7 Folder 12
Y-Z - Miscellaneous
Box 7 Folder 13
Yau, John, 1982-1983
Box 7 Folder 14
Young, Geoff, 1977-1988, 2000
Box 7 Folder 15
Unidentified