Collection Overview
Stevenson, Candace Thurber
Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers1916-65
MS 155
7 boxes
(2.5 linear ft.)
Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College
Northampton, MA
Poet and teacher. The papers include manuscripts of poems and stories; correspondence; materials related to writers' conferences and workshops; and Stevenson's book, First the Blade. Correspondence with editors, literary agents, readers, colleagues and friends reveal her personal life and career as a poet and writer.
English.
Biographical Note
Cover design draft for Stevenson's
First the Blade ,undated
Candace Thurber was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1883. Her mother supported the family by taking in boarders. She graduated from the Packard Institute, received her A.B. from Smith College in 1904, and her M.A. from Columbia University. After completing her education she taught English in a private school and co-owned a children's bookstore in New York City. In 1912 she married Thomas Kennedy Stevenson, They had one daughter, Caroline. During her adult years Candace Stevenson lived in Missouri, New York City, and Vermont. Many of her poems appeared on the editorial page of the New York Times. She submitted many of her stories to magazines but endured much rejection. She published a collection of her poems,
First the Blade, in 1952. Stevenson died July 30, 1968.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The papers include biographical notes, manuscripts of poems and stories, correspondence, materials related to writers' conferences and workshops, and Stevenson's book, First the Blade. Correspondence with editors, literary agents, readers, colleagues and friends reveal her personal life and career as a poet and writer.
Organization of the Collection
This collection is organized into three series:
-
[I. Biographical Materials](list-ser1)
-
[II. Conferences and Organizations](list-ser2)
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[III. Writings](list-ser3)
Information on Use
Terms of Access and Use
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.
The copyright owner of this collection is unknown. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.
Preferred Citation
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:
Candace Thurber Stevenson Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
History of the Collection
Candace Thurber Stevenson's papers were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by her daughter, Caroline Pullman in 1969.
Finding aid revised in 2002 by Gayla Spaulding, intern.
Search Terms
Publishers and publishing--United States--History--Sources
Stevenson, Candace Thurber
Poets, American--20th century--Sources
Women authors, American --20th century--Sources
Additional Information
Related Material
Related material can be found in the Smith College Archives.
1
1
Contents
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS
1
2
Biographical sketch by her daughter, Caroline Pullman, 1969
Correspondence
1
3-4
Schaffner, John (literary agent) re: Singing Rock, 1953-65
1
5
with publishers in regard to poetry, 1920s-60s
1
6
with publishers in regard to O'Brien's, Best Short Stories, 1941
1
7
with publishers in regard to poetry, 1916-43, 1952-54
1
8
Contract and royalty reports for First the Blade, 1952
SERIES II. CONFERENCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
2
1
Antioch Writer's Conference, 1958
2
2
Bread Loaf Writer's Conference, 1957
2
3
Women Poets (a New York organization to which she belonged), 1956
2
4
Smith College class of 1904 in 1944 (includes correspondence from her class members), 1944
SERIES III. WRITINGS
Poems
3
1
A-O by title (printed), n.d.
3
2-15
A-O (transcripts), n.d.
4
1
P-Z (printed), n.d.
4
2-8
P-Z (transcripts), n.d.
4
9-10
Harold Vinali poetry class, n.d.
Articles and drafts
5
1
"Baggage and Excess Baggage," n.d.
5
2
"Contest Etiquette," n.d.
5
3
"The County of Westchester," n.d.
5
4
"Four-year Plan for Wilkie Voters" (includes criticisms), 1940
5
5
"Middle-sized Plan," n.d.
5
6
"More Reflections on the Lazy Thirties," 1927
5
7
"New Versions of Teaching Posture" (two versions and titles), 1940
5
8
"Portrait of a School Election," n.d.
5
9
"Two Nuns out of Convents," n.d.
5
10
"We, the Republicans," 1940
5
11
"Your Money and Your Life" (includes correspondence), 1950
5
12
"Service Entrance" (first draft, includes criticisms), n.d.
5
13
"Stuyvesant Court" (novel), n.d.
Short stories
5
14
"Black Magic," n.d.
5
15
"Board Lore," n.d.
5
16
"Borderline," n.d.
5
17
"The Christmas Gift," n.d.
5
18
"The Crystal Ball," n.d.
5
19
"Gateway to the Arena," n.d.
5
20
"Georgette, Debutante," 1927
5
21
"Good Egg, Bad Egg" (includes criticism), 1920
5
22
"The Grab Bag," n.d.
5
23
"A Grasshopper Cambol," n.d.
5
24
"Green Light" (two versions and titles), n.d.
5
25
"Heaven Knows Why," n.d.
5
26
"Hyena," n.d.
6
1
"The Invaders" (various versions, includes criticisms), n.d.
6
2
"It Was Algernon," n.d.
6
3
"The Kilmeny Look" (various version, includes criticisms), 1958
6
4
"A Legacy from Aunt Levinia" (various versions with criticisms), 1929-46
6
5
"May Day," n.d.
6
6
"Offshore Wind," n.d.
6
7
"Out of the Fog," n.d.
6
8
"The Pewter Teapot," n.d.
6
9
"The Private Life of Corey Ames," n.d.
6
10
"Pumpilia's Broom," 1951-52
6
11
"The Return," n.d.
6
12
"Shades of Sherwood," 1961
6
13
"A Sign for Miss Kitty," n.d.
6
14
"The Singing Rock," n.d.
6
15
"Spring Again," n.d.
6
16
"Spring Holiday," n.d.
6
17
"Sugar Loaf Scannel," n.d.
6
18
"Top Secret," n.d.
6
19
"Tranquil Souls," n.d.
6
20
"Vendetta," n.d.
First The Blade
7
1
Typescript, n.d.
7
2
Proof sheets, 1952
7
3
Book jackets, 1952
7
4
Publicity, 1952
7
5
Financial statements and correspondence with publisher, E.P. Dutton, 1952-55
7
6
Correspondence with publishers other than Dutton, 1952
7
7
Permission to reprint already published poems, 1949-50
7
8
Reviews of First the Blade and correspondence about reviews, 1952
7
9
Congratulatory notes, 1952