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Michael Grumley papers

 Collection
Call Number: YCAL MSS 323
Scope and Contents

The Michael Grumley Papers primarily contain his writings and supporting research material, with a small amount of personal correspondence and personal papers. More than half of the collection consists of his creative writings and drawings, spanning his college years through his career as a freelance author, many of which were not published during his lifetime. In addition to his one novel and his four books on the topics of Atlantis, Sasquatch, sadomasochism, and night workers, Grumley wrote columns and criticism for periodicals such as the New York Native and the Philadelphia Gay News. His files hold research notes, contracts, drafts, tear sheets, reviews, and fan mail.

While most of Grumley's writings explored alternative legends and lifestyles, he also composed short works of whimsy for both children and adults. In addition to preparing texts, he drew illustrations for several of his own projects, such as a proposed book on tarot, and created images to accompany other writers' words; also in the collection are more than one hundred of his stylized ink drawings. Equally important are Grumley's set of daily journals and engagement calendars which provide an intimate narrative of the activities, culture, and community of an American writer fully experiencing life in New York, Rome, and London in the 1970s and 1980s, in particular a life lived in the midst of the AIDS epidemic.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Michael Grumley Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from the Michael Grumley Estate on the Sinclair Lewis Fund, 1998.

Arrangement

Organized into three series: I. Correspondence and Personal Papers (1910-1988); II. Writings (1963-1987); and III. Other Papers (1971-1988).

Associated Materials

The Robert Ferro Papers (YCAL MSS 322) holds additional personal and business correspondence addressed to both Grumley and Ferro as well as material related to Grumley's memorial service, which was arranged by Ferro; also filed there are drafts of a few unpublished works coauthored by the couple.

Dates
1910 - 1988
Majority of material found within 1963 - 1988
Extent
13 Linear Feet (18 boxes)
Related Names
Grumley, Michael
Language of Materials
English