Robert DeMott research collection on Jim Harrison

Robert DeMott research collection on Jim Harrison

Special Collections & University Archives, Grand Valley State University Libraries
Seidman House
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, Michigan 49401

2010

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection of research, interviews, and writing by Robert DeMott; and the collection of published writings by and writings about Michigan writer Jim Harrison were compiled by Robert DeMott while writing Conversations with Jim Harrison. The collection contains a notebook compiled by DeMott, interviews conducted and edited by DeMott and Patrick Smith, correspondence with Harrison, a chronology of interviews, and other materials collected by DeMott. The collection of published poetry, articles, and reviews by Harrison, and taped and published interviews and articles about Harrison supplement materials in the Grand Valley State University Special Collections & University Archives.

Arrangement

Arranged in 2 series: 1) DeMott research and writing; 2) Reference materials

Biography

Robert DeMott is the Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of English at Ohio University, where he has taught since the start of his career in 1969. He is a former director of the Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University (1984 and 1985), and served for over three decades on the editorial boards of Steinbeck Quarterly, Steinbeck Newsletter, and Steinbeck Studies. He is chief editor of the Library of America's four volume edition of John Steinbeck's writings. He has received multiple awards for his teaching, his writing, and for his outstanding contributions to Steinbeck studies.

His books include three poetry collections--"News of Loss" (1995), "The Weather in Athens" (2001), and "Brief and Glorious Transit" (2007)-- as well as "Dave Smith: A Literary Archive" (2000), a bio-bibliography and memoir, and "Conversations with Jim Harrison" (2002), a book of interviews with the contemporary novelist/poet. A lifelong fly fisherman and a certified fly casting instructor, DeMott is co-editor with Dave Smith of "Afield: Writers on Bird Dogs" (2010), which includes essays by Jim Harrison, Tom McGuane, Richard Ford, Tom Brokaw, Howell Raines and others; and he is currently working on a collection of personal essays on outdoor sports, "The Far Field," and a book on fly fishing literature called "Fish(ing) Plots." DeMott wrote the Introduction to Orr and Torreys "Jim Harrison : A Comprehensive Bibliography" (2009). Jim Harrison's collection of novellas, "The Farmer's Daughter" (2010), is dedicated to DeMott.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Publication Rights

For information on copyright or permissions for this collection, contact Grand Valley State University Special Collections.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Robert DeMott research collection on Jim Harrison (RHC-42). Special Collections & University Archives, Grand Valley State University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from Robert DeMott in 2009.