Research on Carson McCullers, 1948, 1986-2002

File — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

These papers consist of materials relating to Jordan’s researches in the life and work of Carson McCullers, as well as his deep involvement with the McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians. In addition, there are materials concerning a symposium to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nunnally Johnson. Among his many other wide-ranging interests are: historic preservation; theater; music; Linwood Cemetery; fund-raising for various non-profits such as The Springer Opera House, Westville, the Columbus State University Archives Foundation, etc.; Blind Tom (Thomas Higgins), a musical savant born into slavery; Horace King, an enslaved master-builder; the disputes between Georgia and Alabama over the water rights to the Chattahoochee River; and the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia, to name only a few.

1925-2011 3 boxes (1.66 l.f.)

Dates

Creation: 1948, 1986-2002

Creator

From the Collection: Jordan, Thornton F. (Person)

Extent

From the Collection: 1.66 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Materials Specific Details

This folder includes photocopies of a now-missing exchange of letters between Carson McCullers and the Bradley Library in Columbus regarding the potential deposit of her papers with them. Also included is an exchange of letters between Jordan and Edwin Peacock about various McCullers-related photos, her wedding, and the upcoming McCullers symposium in Columbus in October of 1987; a schedule of events related to the symposium; correspondence relating to persons and places who might have inspired McCullers in her writings; a photo of David Diamond with Vannie Copeland Jackson, who along with her sister worked part-time for McCullers’ parents, Lamar and Margareite Smith and were probably the composite models for Bernice Sadie Brown, a character in The Member of the Wedding; a photograph of David Diamond and Virginia Spencer Carr at the home of Vannie Copeland Jackson made around October 20, 1987; letters about the death of Sidney Spain (a Stark Avenue neighbor who might have served as a model for John Henry West in the The Member of the Wedding) and a slide of young Sidney; obituary and photo of Lawrence Glover, Jr. who was a model for McCullers’ character Spareribs; information on a video-taped interview of Carlos Dews and Thornton Jordan by the Young Historians at Brookstone School in 2002; and a photocopy of ads for McCullers father jewelry store and her uncle C. Graham Johnson’s drug store.