Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Reed mss., 1950-2005, consist of the papers of scholar Peter Reed related to Kurt Vonnegut, including correspondence, book proofs, commercial recordings, recorded interviews, and copies of early Vonnegut publications.
- Extent:
- 2 Boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Reed mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Peter J. Reed was born May 14, 1935 in London, England. Reed completed his studies at Harvard and the University of Washington, where he received his PhD in English literature. After joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota's English department, he became an expert on 20th century British and American literature. He is best known for biographical essays and studies concerning the various publications of Kurt Vonnegut. Through his research with the writer's materials, the two became lifelong friends, and their correspondence makes up the bulk of the collection held at the institution.
- Scope and Content:
CORRESPONDENCE includes letters sent to by Reed from Kurt Vonnegut for both personal and professional reasons. WRITINGS include materials sent to Reed by Kurt Vonnegut. Items in this category include proof copies of manuscripts as well as short stories. There are also writings created by Reed himself. EVENT DOCUMENTS concern important events in Kurt Vonnegut's life, such as his 60th birthday and family reunion, as well as speeches and interviews Peter Reed participated in. SERIALS include a smattering of published items that relate to Kurt Vonnegut and his writings, such as short stories and interviews. MISCELLANEOUS covers materials that do not fall into a certain series. AUDIO-VISUAL includes a variety of audio cassettes, photographs, floppy disks, zip disks, and optical disks. OVERSIZED contains serials that are too large to fit into the other series folders.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift: 2021
- Processing information:
Processed by Sarah Petras, under the supervision of Kyra Triebold. Completed in 2023.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into the following series: I. CORRESPONDENCE, II. WRITINGS, III. EVENT DOCUMENTS, IV. SERIES, V. MISCELLANEOUS, VI. AUDIO-VISUAL, and VII. OVERSIZED.
These series were mostly created based on the original order of the collection with some changes made to organize documents chronologically or alphabetically in the case of the WRITINGS series. The items in the AUDIO-VISUAL and OVERSIZED series were placed in a separate box due to their unusual shapes and sizes.
- Physical location:
- ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)
Indexed Terms
- Names:
- Vonnegut, Kurt
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Reed 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