HERSCHEL GRUBB PAPERS

1947-1999 and undated

 

East Tennessee State University

University Archives

Box 70295

Johnson City, Tennessee 37614

 

E-Mail: archives@etsu.edu

Telephone -  (423) 439-4338

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

Title: Herschel Grubb Papers 

Collection Number: Accession No.545

Physical Description: 5.5 linear feet (12 boxes)

                                   2 oversized folders

Creator: Herschel Grubb   

Repository: University Archives, East Tennessee State University

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

 

Provenance: The Herschel Grubb Papers were donated to the University Archives by Herschel Grubb, Bristol, Tenn., on July 1, 1999.

 

Access: The collection is open for research.

 

Processing Information: This collection was processed by Brianne Johnson and opened for research in April 2007.  

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

 

Herschel Grubb was born in Bristol, Tenn., in an area of town referred to as “Rabbit Run.” He moved to New York as a young man, where he worked in the clothing industry for many years. Grubb was also active in the New York City literary and cultural scene and was a published poet and photographer. Leaving school after the sixth grade, Grubb had an autodidacts’ curiosity, his interests, as revealed in the collection, ranging over many subjects, including literature, the arts, physics, and photography, among others.

 

Grubb was a close friend and long-time correspondent with David McClellan, a Bristol, Va., native. A major intent of Grubb’s in compiling and maintaining the collection was to provide source material for researching the life and writings of his friend. David McClellan worked as a reporter, feature writer, and book reviewer for the Bristol Herald- Courier from 1947-1954. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from ETSU in 1955 and began working at East Tennessee State College (now University) the same year. The following year, he earned a Master of Arts degree from the university. He had also completed course work toward his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina, where he studied with poet and novelist James Dickey. McClellan initially worked in ETSU’s public relations department  as a sports writer and later as director. In 1968, McClellan became an associate professor in ETSU’s Department of English. McClellan was a revered classroom teacher, whose scholarship specialized in the writings of Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe. McClellan brought out what may have been the first literary journal of the region, The Watauga Review. He was himself an active writer of poetry and fiction and published Leaves from the Legend of Luther Lamp: a Story in Verse (1972). McClellan died on April 8, 1977 from complications of a ruptured appendix. He was 47 at the time of his death.

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

 

The Herschel Grubb Papers contain both incoming and outgoing correspondence between Herschel Grubb and others, with the majority of the correspondence being with his friend David McClellan. The collection also includes newspaper clippings, photocopies of published works by Grubb, writings by David McClellan, and photographs and negatives. Included in the collection is Grubb’s booklet Prologues and Poems in Memory of Dr. Albert Einstein written in Einstein’s honor on his 75th birthday. The collection covers a wide range of topics including religion, literature and the arts, politics, and personal events. In doing so, it reflects the creative interests Grubb maintained throughout his life in his contact with others.

 

At the core of the collection, its central focus, is the correspondence and literary stimulation that existed between Grubb and McClellan. The letters document the intellectual ideas and creative pursuits each encouraged in the other, and cover literature, the arts, creative writing, as well as the every day and mundane aspects of their lives. The correspondence provides insight into their thought and creative processes and offers an intellectual autobiography of sorts.

 

The collection covers the period of 1947-1999, with some undated materials. The collection is arranged into four series as follows, Series I, Correspondence, 1951-1999 and undated, Boxes 1-7; Series II, David McClellan Papers, 1954-1977 and undated, Boxes 8-10 and oversized folders 1-2; Series III, Subject Files, 1947-1995 and undated, Box 11; and  Series IV, Photographs and Negatives, 1977-1997 and undated, Box 12.

 

Important subjects covered in the collection include:

 

Grubb, Herschel

McClellan, David M. (David Millard)

Wolfe, Thomas, 1900-1938

 

 

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

 

Series I, Correspondence, 1951-1999 and undated, Boxes 1-7.

 

Series I contains correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, between Herschel Grubb and a number of family, friends, and colleagues. The correspondence includes a wide range of subjects from literature and the arts, religion, and personal and family events. Incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the surname of the correspondent. Where a name could not be determined, the correspondence was filed chronologically at the end of subseries I-A. Outgoing correspondence from Grubb is arranged chronologically. The series is divided into two subseries: Subseries I-A, Incoming Correspondence, 1951-1997 and undated, Boxes 1-6 and Subseries I-B, Outgoing Correspondence, 1954-1997 and undated, Box 7.

 

Subseries I-A, Incoming Correspondence, 1951-1999 and undated, Boxes 1-6.

 

Subseries I-A contains correspondence written to Herschel Grubb and includes personal letters and postcards. The subseries is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the author of the correspondence. Correspondence without names have been filed at the end of the subseries and arranged chronologically.

 

Subseries I-B, Outgoing Correspondence, 1954-1997 and undated, Box 7.

 

Subseries I-B contains copies of correspondence written by Herschel Grubb to family, friends, and colleagues. The correspondence is arranged chronologically.

 

Series II, David McClellan Papers, 1954-1977 and undated, Boxes 8-10 and oversized folders 1-2.

 

Series II contains correspondence between David McClellan, an English professor at ETSU, and Hershel Grubb. The correspondence includes personal letters, postcards, and copies of McClellan’s writings. The correspondence between McClellan and Grubb discussed literature, politics, religion, and personal and professional events. Included in the series are writings about David McClellan after his death in 1977. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and subsequently arranged chronologically. The oversized correspondence is filed in oversized folders 1-2 and is arranged chronologically.

 

Series III, Subject Files, 1947-1995 and undated, Box 11.

 

Series III contains newspaper clippings, articles, and photocopies of Herschel Grubb’s published works. Included in the series are poetry and miscellaneous writings by Grubb, as well as Prologues and Poems in Memory of Dr. Albert Einstein, written in honor of Einstein’s 75th birthday. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

 

Series IV, Photographs and Negatives, 1977-1997 and undated, Box 12.

 

Series IV contains photographs and negatives of Herschel Grubb, David McClellan, and a few of the people who corresponded with Grubb. Included also are pictures of author Carl Sandburg’s home in Flat Rock, N. C., and photographs that relate to author Thomas Wolfe and William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) in Asheville, N. C. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

 

BOX AND FOLDER LIST

 

Series I, Correspondence, 1951-1997 and undated, Boxes 1-7

 

Subseries I- A, Incoming Correspondence, 1951-1997 and undated, Boxes 1-6.

 

Box 1

 

1. Correspondence from J. L. Atkins, 1993-1999

2. Correspondence from Harry Ausmus, 1968-1997

3. Correspondence from John and Lu Baczuk, 1969-1992

4. Correspondence from Coy Bays, 1977

5. Correspondence from C. L. Bennet, 1960

6. Correspondence from Crile Bevington, 1963-1981

7. Correspondence from Jeannie Bromley, 1973

8. Correspondence from Howard and Billie Brown, 1983

9. Correspondence from Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Burd, 1990-1991

10. Correspondence from Patty Calhoun, 1998

11. Correspondence from Helen and Harry Cohen, 1990

12. Correspondence from James C. Cowan, 1972-1973

13. Correspondence from Mary Ann Cowan, 1983

14. Correspondence from Virginia David, 1968

15. Correspondence from Amber Dawn, 1994-1995 and undated

16. Correspondence from Teresa DeMario, 1988

17. Correspondence from Carl Dorese, 1974-1975 and undated

18. Correspondence from Tanya Duane, 1974

19. Correspondence from Albert Einstein, 1954

20. Correspondence from M. F. Fifield, 1972

21. Correspondence from Joe and Leona Foster, 1972-1985 and undated

22. Correspondence from Ed and Kelly Fraley, 1971-1989

23. Correspondence from George Frode, 1967-1986

24. Correspondence from Rachel Garrett, 1998

25. Correspondence from Paula Goff, 1970-1971

26. Correspondence from Albert Gore, 1964-1965

27. Correspondence from Cheryl Grubb, 1997

28. Correspondence from Mark Grubb, 1982-1996

 

Box 2

 

1. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1951-1953

2. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1954

3. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1955-1956

4. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1957-1959

5. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1960-1964

6. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1966-1972

7. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1973-1980

8. Correspondence from H. C. “Bud” Hall, 1981-1995 and undated

9. Correspondence from William Harwood, 1979-1981

 

Box 3

 

1. Correspondence from Laura N. Hayling, 1984

2. Correspondence from Michelle Herndon, 1996

3. Correspondence from Jack Higgs, 1972-1977 and undated

4. Correspondence from Norma Hodge, 1985

5. Correspondence from Thelma J. Hutchins, 1991

6. Correspondence from Bill and Betty Huff, 1953-1958

7. Correspondence from Bill and Betty Huff, 1959-1974 and undated

8. Correspondence from Halfdon Hussie, 1983-1998 and undated

9. Correspondence from Sandra Hussie, 1986

10. Correspondence from Kenneth Jordan, 1994

11. Correspondence from Dean “Cloudwalker” Justice, 1964-1982

12. Correspondence from Dean “Cloudwalker” Justice, 1983-1990

13. Correspondence from Dean “Cloudwalker” Justice, undated

14. Correspondence from Saki Karavas, 1967-1972

 

Box 4

 

1. Correspondence from Arthur Kelsey, 1969-1977

2. Correspondence from Arthur Kelsey, 1978- 1998 and undated

3. Correspondence from George Kerrick, 1981

4. Correspondence from Richard M. Kesner, 1979

5. Correspondence from Jack Kestner, 1995-1998

6. Correspondence from Paula Krogdahl, 1972

7. Correspondence from John Lang, 1991-1992

8. Correspondence from Roberta Lee, 1986

9. Correspondence from Liebermans, undated

10. Correspondence from Anders Ljungstrom, 1967-1968

11. Correspondence from Maria Lombard, 176-1977

12. Correspondence from Holly Malen, 1998

13. Correspondence from John Manchester, 1972

14. Correspondence from Emily McClellan, 1995

15. Correspondence from Laura Thomas McNair, 1954-1960

16. Correspondence from Joshua Meander, 1998

17. Correspondence from Mr. and Mrs. J. Menkes, 1986

18. Correspondence from Pattie Mitchell, 1970

19. Correspondence from Gil Moody, 1998

20. Correspondence from William Mulder, 1960

21. Correspondence from the National Library of Poetry, 1994

22. Correspondence from Bob and Nancy Notar, 1976-1978

23. Correspondence from Alex Olsen, 1973-1985 and undated

24. Correspondence from M. G. Parks, 1960

25. Correspondence from David E. Parsley, 1999

26. Correspondence from Vivian Penna, 1986

27. Correspondence from Mrs. John Pitman, 1974-1976

28. Correspondence from Trudy Rasen, 1976-1978

29. Correspondence from Elder Redd, 1997

30. Correspondence from Robert L. Reid, 1998

31. Correspondence from Eloida Romero, 1972

32. Correspondence from Jerry Ruelle, 1970

33. Correspondence from C. K. Russell, 1995 and undated

34. Correspondence from Henry Samples, 1977-1979

 

Box 5

 

1. Correspondence from Henry Samples, 1980-1983

2. Correspondence from George Scheftel, 1960

3. Correspondence from Mary Slesinger, 1973

4. Correspondence from Elsie Soloman, 1976-1977

5. Correspondence from Charles Steele, 1952

6. Correspondence from Lynn Steele, 1964

7. Correspondence from John Stefano, 1960

8. Correspondence from Teri and Bob Sullivan, 1993-1998

9. Correspondence from Desmond Taylor, 1954

10. Correspondence from Desmond Taylor, 1955-1958 and undated

11. Correspondence from O. J. Taylor, 1995

12. Correspondence from Gilbert E. Torbett, 1954

13. Correspondence from Cindy and John Turner, 1998

14. Correspondence from Nancy Vance, 1974

15. Correspondence from Lucye Walker, 1954

16. Correspondence from Gail Watkins, 1977-1986

17. Correspondence from Ruth Watson, 1982-1983

18. Correspondence from Louise Weber, 1995

19. Correspondence from Maria Weber, 1996

20. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1966-1976

21. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1977

 

Box 6

 

1. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1978-1979

2. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1980-1981

3. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1982-1983

4. Correspondence from Mary Lou Wells, 1984-1989 and undated

5. Correspondence from Dick Whitlaw, 1951

6. Correspondence from Christopher Williams, 1983

7. Correspondence from Kenneth H. Williams, 1982

8. Correspondence from Nancy Williams, 1970-1976

9. Correspondence from Milton Wilson, 1960

10. Correspondence from George Winship, Jr., 1977

11. Correspondence from Lincoln B. Young, undated

12. Correspondence, 1954-1959

13. Correspondence, 1960-1966

14. Correspondence, 1970-1979

15. Correspondence, 1980-1989

16. Correspondence, 1990-1997

17. Correspondence, undated 

 

Subseries I-B, Outgoing Correspondence, 1954- 1997 and undated, Box 7.

 

Box 7

 

1. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1954-1959

2. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1960-1968

3. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1970-1974

4. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1975-1979

5. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1980-1984

6. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1985-1989

7. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1990-1994

8. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1995-1997

9. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, undated

 

Series II, David McClellan Papers, 1954-1977 and undated, Boxes 8-10 and oversized folders 1-2.

 

Box 8

 

1. “The Battle of the Little Big Horn in Hemingway’s Later Fiction,” undated

2. “Bring Back the March Moon” and “August Moon,” undated

3. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1958-1966

4. Correspondence from Herschel Grubb, 1968-1976 and undated

5. David McClellan correspondence to Harry Ausmus, 1962-1972

6. David McClellan correspondence to Harry Ausmus, undated

7. David McClellan correspondence to Crile Bevington, 1966-1972 and undated

8. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1954-1957

9. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1958

10. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1959

11. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1960-1962

12. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-July 1963

13. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, August-September 1963

14. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, October-December 1963

 

Box 9

 

1. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-May 1964

2. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, June-December 1964

3. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-July 1965

4. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, August-December 1965

5. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1966

6. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-August 1967

7. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, September-December 1967

8. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1968-1969

9. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1970

10. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1971

 

Box 10

 

1. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, February-August 1972

2. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, September-December 1972

3. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-June 1973

4. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, July-December 1973

5. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1974

6. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, January-April 1975

7. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, May-December 1975

8. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1976

9. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1977

10. David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, undated

11. David McClellan: “A New York Journal,” 1963

12. Writings and newspaper clippings about David McClellan, 1977 and undated

 

Oversize folder 1

 

David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1959-1961

 

Oversize folder 2

 

David McClellan correspondence to Herschel Grubb, 1962-1976 

 

 

Series III, Subject Files, 1947-1995 and undated, Box 11.

 

Box 11

 

1. Aspen Art in the New Mexico Highlands (book cover), undated

2. Divorce papers (Paul Hess vs. Naomi Hess), 1955

3. Ginsberg, Allen (poetry), undated

4. Mockingbird, 1977

5. Newspaper clippings and articles, 1987-1995 and undated

6. Photocopies of Herschel Grubb’s published works, undated

7. Photographic Vision (book cover), undated 

8. Playbill of the National Theater, undated

9. Poetry and miscellaneous writings, 1947-1979 and undated

10. Poetry and miscellaneous writings, undated

11. Prologues and Poems in Memory of Dr. Albert Einstein, 1995

12. The Watauga Review, Fall 1967

 

Series IV, Photographs and Negatives, 1977-1997 and undated, Box 12.

 

Box 12

 

1. Composite photographs, undated

2. Grubb family, 1997

3. Grubb, Herschel, undated

4. Grubb, Joseph Webber, undated

5. Justice, Dean “Cloudwalker,” 1983-1990

6. McClellan, David, undated

7. Porter, William Sydney (O. Henry) [grave marker], undated

8. Sandburg, Carl (photographs of home at Flat Rock, N. C.), 1985 and undated

9. Unidentified, undated

10. Wells, Mary Lou, 1984 and undated

11. Wolfe, Thomas, 1977-1985 and undated