Scope and Contents
The Norman Holmes Pearson papers consist of correspondence, writings, academic and professional files, printed materials, photographs, and audiovisual materials that document a broad range of Pearson's professional and personal activities, including his research on Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ezra Pound, his management of the literary estates of H.D. and Bryher, and his activity as a professor of English and American Studies at Yale University. Documentation relating to Pearson's service in the Office of Strategic Services is partially redacted.
Dates
- 1829 - 1983
- Majority of material found within 1930 - 1975
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Boxes 227 and 333-336 (student records): Restricted until 2095.
Boxes 268-273 (microfilm): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Boxes 291-294 (audiovisual material): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Boxes 227 and 333-336 (student records): Restricted until 2095.
Boxes 268-273 (microfilm): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Boxes 291-294 (audiovisual material): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Norman Holmes Pearson 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
Gift and bequest of Norman Holmes Pearson, 1966-1975.
Arrangement
Organized into nine series: I. Correspondence, 1839-1976. II. Editorial and Other Projects, circa 1880s-1975. III. Writings, 1829-1975. IV. Research Files, 1851-1978. V. Professional Papers, 1929-1983. VI. Photographs and Microfilm, circa 1909-1975. VII. Printed Materials, 1889-1975. VIII. Personal Papers, 1888-1975. IX. Realia, undated.
Extent
167.75 Linear Feet (341 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
The Norman Holmes Pearson papers consist of correspondence, writings, printed material, photographs, and audiovisual material that document a broad range of Pearson's professional and personal activities, including his research on Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ezra Pound, his management of the literary estates of H.D. and Bryher, and his activity as a professor of English and American Studies at Yale University. Documentation relating to Pearson's service in the Office of Strategic Services is partially redacted.
Norman Holmes Pearson (1909-1975)
Norman Holmes Pearson (Yale 1932), professor of English and American Studies at Yale University and officer in the Office of Strategic Services during the Second World War. Pearson collaborated with curator Donald Gallup to develop the Yale Collection of American Literature, playing an instrumental role in the acquisition of the papers of H.D. and Bryher.
Processing Information
In 1983, the Central Intelligence Agency claimed 14 documents from Pearson’s papers and reviewed the documents in order to determine whether to declassify them. The CIA released three of these back to Yale in their entirety; they redacted or “sanitized” two documents; and they retained the remaining nine. At the time of processing in 2019-2021, flags marking the former locations of these documents had been disturbed from their original order; those flags that were found have been retained in a separate folder marked as such. A list of the titles of documents returned, redacted, and withheld appears in an appendix to this finding aid. For more information, consult the curator.
Former call numbers: Za Pearson, Uncat Za Pearson, Za P3195 +1, and Za P3195 +2.
Former call numbers: Za Pearson, Uncat Za Pearson, Za P3195 +1, and Za P3195 +2.
- American literature -- 19th century
- American literature -- 20th century
- Audiocassettes -- United States -- 20th Century
- Audiovisual materials -- United States -- 20th Century
- Authors, American -- 20th Century -- Archives
- Bryher, 1894-1983
- College teachers
- College teachers -- United States -- 20th Century
- Gallup, Donald, 1913-2000
- H. D. (Hilda Doolittle), 1886-1961
- Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864
- Pearson, Norman Holmes, 1909-1975
- Photographs -- United States -- 20th Century
- Pound, Ezra, 1885-1972
- United States -- Study and teaching
- United States. Office of Strategic Services
- Videocassettes -- United States -- 20th Century
- Title
- Norman Holmes Pearson Papers
- Author
- by Beinecke staff
- Date
- 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.