SIMMONS, JAMES, 1933-
James Simmons papers, 1945-1996

Emory University

Emory University

Robert W. Woodruff Library

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-6887

rose.library@emory.edu

Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8zw5k

Digital Material Available in this Collection

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Simmons, James, 1933-
Title: James Simmons papers, 1945-1996
Call Number:Manuscript Collection No. 759
Extent: 39 linear ft. (78 boxes) and 20 oversized papers (OP)
Abstract:Personal and literary papers of Irish poet and editor James Simmons including drafts of Simmons's own writings, personal and literary correspondence, printed material, and photographs.
Language:Materials entirely in English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on access

Special restrictions apply: Subseries 1.5 contains restricted correspondence.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction. No special restrictions apply.

Source

Purchase, 1994.

Citation

[identification of item(s)], James Simmons papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Katie Long, November 2002.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

James Simmons was born in 1933 in Derry, Northern Ireland. He attended the University of Leeds as a mature student in the late 1950's where he met lifelong friends Tony Harrison and Wole Soyinka. Simmons went on to teach English at Ahamadu Bello University in Nigeria, Friends School, Lisburn, and the New University of Ulster, Coleraine, and in 1989 was named Writer in Residence at Queens University of Belfast. In 1968, Simmons founded and edited The Honest Ulsterman , a prominent literary magazine in Ulster. He founded The Poets' House, which was a series of summer poetry conferences with wife, Janice Fitzpatrick Simmons in 1990. In 1994, The Poets' House began offering Ireland's first M.A. in Creative Writing. Simmons had seven children, five with first wife, Laura Stinson, one with Imelda Foley, and one with Janice Fitzpatrick. His published collections of poems include: Ten Poems, Ballad of a Marriage, Late but in Earnest, In the Wilderness and Other Poems, No Ties, No Land is Waste, Dr. Eliot, Energy to Burn, The Long Summer Still to Come, West Strand Visions, Memorials of a Tour in Yorkshire, Judy Garland and the Cold War, Constantly Singing, From the Irish, Sex, Rectitude and Loneliness, Mainstream, and The Company of Children. Simmons passed away June 21st, 2001.

James Simmons was born in 1933 in Derry, Northern Ireland. He attended the University of Leeds as a mature student in the late 1950's where he met lifelong friends Tony Harrison and Wole Soyinka. Simmons went on to teach English at Ahamadu Bello University in Nigeria, Friends School, Lisburn, and the New University of Ulster, Coleraine, and in 1989 was named Writer in Residence at Queens University of Belfast. In 1968, Simmons founded and edited The Honest Ulsterman , a prominent literary magazine in Ulster. He founded The Poets' House, which was a series of summer poetry conferences with wife, Janice Fitzpatrick Simmons in 1990. In 1994, The Poets' House began offering Ireland's first M.A. in Creative Writing. Simmons had seven children, five with first wife, Laura Stinson, one with Imelda Foley, and one with Janice Fitzpatrick. His published collections of poems include: Ten Poems, Ballad of a Marriage, Late but in Earnest, In the Wilderness and Other Poems, No Ties, No Land is Waste, Dr. Eliot, Energy to Burn, The Long Summer Still to Come, West Strand Visions, Memorials of a Tour in Yorkshire, Judy Garland and the Cold War, Constantly Singing, From the Irish, Sex, Rectitude and Loneliness, Mainstream, and The Company of Children. Simmons passed away June 21st, 2001.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of personal and literary papers of James Simmons from 1945-1996. The bulk of the collection consists of drafts of Simmons's own writings, including poetry, prose, and songs that span his career. Also present are extensive files of personal and literary correspondence including correspondence and literary works of Tony Harrison, Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley, Derek Mahon, Paul Muldoon, Wole Soyinka, and many other prominent literary figures. The collection also includes The Poets' House archive, submissions for and a copy of the first issue of The Honest Ulsterman, extensive manuscript and typescript writings by others, collected printed material, and photographs.

Arrangement Note

Organized into seven series: (1) Correspondence, (2) Diaries, (3) Writings by Simmons, (4) Subject Files, (5) Writings by Others, (6) Printed material, and (7) Photographs.

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Description of Series

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