Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Baatz mss., 1940-2010, consists of correspondence from prominent literary and political figures to librarian Wilmer Henry Baatz, 1915-1991.
- Extent:
- 2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Baatz mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Wilmer Henry Baatz, 1915-1991, earned his B.A. in English from Indiana University in 1940 and an M.A. in English in 1941. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force before earning his degree in library science at the Univesrity of Chicago. He began his librarian career in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, moving on to Beloit College, the Veterans Administration, University of Rochester, Milwaukee Public Library, the Federal Aviation Agency, and eventually Indiana University. At Indiana University he also served as a professor and assistant director of IU Libraries. He retired in 1986 and began volunteering at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center library. He also authored several books and articles throughout his career. Baatz died in 1991.
- Scope and Content:
The items in the Baatz mss., 1940-2010, deal with literary topics, federal aid to libraries, correspondence between Baatz and his family throughout his service ovesreas in World War II, and mimeographed newsletters written and reproduced by Baatz during the war for distribution in the army camp. Also included is a bibliography of the works by Harry Allen Overstreet, 1875-1970, by John George Lorenz dated August 12, 1940, and a bibliography of the works of Harry Allen and Bonaro (Wilkinson) Overstreet, 1902-1985, by Baatz in February 1966 (final typed copy, draft, and set of cards). Correspondents represented in the collection include Birch Evans Bayh, Ralph Albert Beals, John Brademas, William Blackwell Branch, William Gilmer Bray, Ralph Johnson Bunche, Cecil Kash Byrd, William Rea Cagle, Lee Corso, James Gould Cozzens, James Thomas Farrell, Rupert Vance Hartke, H. D. Kneeland, Robert Montgomery Knight, Sarah Catherine (Wood) Marshall LeSourd, Richard Green Lugar, John Thomas Myers, Bonaro (Wilkinson) Overstreet, Claiborne Pell, Hyam Plutzik, John Pont, John W. Posey, David Anton Randall, John Edward Roush, Mary E. Ryan, Upton Sinclair, Mary Elinore Smith, Matthew Empson Welsh, and Alexander Wiley.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift: 1968-1987
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged following original order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Stacks
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Indiana University
World War, 1939-1945 - Names:
- Baatz, Wilmer Henry, 1915-
Bayh, Birch, 1928-
Beals, Ralph A. (Ralph Albert)
Brademas, John, 1927-2016
Branch, William Blackwell
Bray, William G. (William Gilmer), 1903-1979
Bunche, Ralph J. (Ralph Johnson), 1904-1971
Byrd, Cecil K.
Cagle, William R. (William Rea)
Corso, Lee
Cozzens, James Gould, 1903-1978
Farrell, James T. (James Thomas), 1904-1979
Hartke, Vance, 1919-2003
Kneeland, H.D.
Knight, Bobby
Marshall, Catherine, 1914-1983
Lugar, Richard
Myers, John T. (John Thomas), 1927-
Overstreet, Bonaro W. (Bonaro Wilkinson), 1902-1985
Pell, Claiborne, 1918-2009
Plutzik, Hyam, 1911-1962
Pont, John
Posey, John W.
Randall, David Anton, 1905-1975
Roush, J. Edward (John Edward), 1920-2004
Ryan, Mary E.
Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968
Smith, Mary Elinore
Welsh, Matthew E. (Matthew Empson), 1912-1995
Wiley, Alexander
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
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.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Baatz mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu