Diane Helen Wood Middlebrook was born on April 16, 1939 in Pocatello, Idaho. She attended public elementary and high schools in Spokane, Washington, where she lived with her parents and two sisters. She attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington and later transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle, receiving her B.A. in 1961. She continued on to earn her M.A. (1962) and PhD (1968) from Yale University.
Middlebrook began her teaching career in 1966 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California in the English department and remained there until her retirement in 2002. In addition to teaching, Middlebrook also held positions as Director of Stanford's Center for Research on Women (1977-1979), and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education (1979-1981). For three years she held the Howard H. and Jessie T. Watkins University Professorship, a chair endowed to promote innovative education at Stanford. She was also chair of Stanford's Feminist Studies Program from 1985-88. Additionally, Middlebrook was a founding trustee of the Djerassi Resident Artists Foundation, which supports an interdisciplinary arts center in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California.
Middlebrook married three times. Her first two marriages, to Michael Shough and Jonathan Middlebrook, respectively, were annulled. She and Jonathan Middlebrook had one daughter together, Leah Middlebrook. In 1977, she started seeing Carl Djerassi and they wed in 1985. Djerassi and Middlebrook spent the last 28 years of her life together.
Aside from her teaching, Middlebrook is best known for her biographies. In 1991, she published her biography on poet Anne Sexton. This biography generated great controversy over her use of more than 300 hours of tape-recorded psychiatric sessions as part of her research. In 1998, Middlebrook's biography,
During the course of her lifetime, Middlebrook received numerous fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe College, the Stanford Humanities Center, the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, and the Rockefeller Study Center of Bellagio.
Middlebrook leaves behind a manuscript that is groundbreaking in a different way—a biography of Ovid, a work that will be indelibly linked with her life's end. In 2008, which would have been the 2000th anniversary of Ovid's banishment from Rome and of his completion of Metamorphoses, Middlebrook and Viking Press had planned to publish the biography.
During the last years of her life, Middlebrook and her husband Carl divided their time between their San Francisco and London homes. Middlebrook was diagnosed with cancer. Middlebrook kept writing until November 15, 2007, and on December 15, 2007, after a long and hard-fought battle, she succumbed to the disease.
This box contains cassette tapes (as indexed by Middlebrook) and 3.5 floppy disks (Teaching Materials, Lectures and Talks, and Writing/ Reviews)
Access to this subseries requires written permission from Leah Middlebrook until January 1, 2037, after which date it is open without restrictions.
This box contains scrapbooks and photobooks belonging to Diane Middlebrook
"Ellen Bassuk: tape one" [1.1]: 1987 February 7
Digital copy available (bdr711651). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Ellen Bassuk: tape three: Chestnut Hill, Chapter Two: p.6 on bio - bored or personality disorder contd. * pp. 7-8 attachment, 14-15 breast cancer; Chapter Three: all comments" [1.2]: 1987 February 9
Digital copy available (bdr711652). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Ellen Bassuk: tape four: oedipal conflict: definition and application to Anne Sexton" [1.3]: 1987 February 9
Digital copy available (bdr711461). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Ellen Bassuk: tape five: ch 4-6" [1.4]: 1987 February 9
Digital copy available (bdr711671). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Ellen Bassuk: tape six: Chestnut Hill, psychotherapies structure + commentary on approach contd." [1.5]: undated
Digital copy available (bdr711462). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Eric Edwards, Bunting last' [3.1]: 1983 April 25
Digital copy available (bdr711653). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Maxine Kumin: Side I, II [5.1]: 1980 October 9
Digital copy available (bdr711463). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Maxine Kumin: Side III" [5.2]: 1980 October 9
Digital copy available (bdr711654). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Maxine Kumin in New Hamp. (transcribed 4/25/86)" [5.3]: 1982 November 8
Digital copy available (bdr711655). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Maxine Kumin, side 1: 11 Nov 82; Polly Bunting, side 2: 2 Dec 1982 (transcribed 4/25/86); Linda Sexton tape 2 (side 3+4), retaped, done" [5.4]: 1982 November 11
Digital copy available (bdr711656). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Maxine Kumin, Warner NH, transcribed: Obscunion: therapy, James Wright" [5.5]: 1983 August 12
Digital copy available (bdr711464). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"McClatchy/Sexton tape one" [7.1]: 1973 July 3
Digital copy available (bdr711657). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Diane Middlebrook: Engl 235 Hart Crane lecture IV: The Bridge" [8.1]: 1977 February 3
Digital copy available (bdr711658). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Diane Wood Middlebrook intervied by Jack Foley FPFA "Cover to Cover'" [8.4]: 1999 March 17
Digital copy available (bdr711659). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Diane Middlebrook "w/Patrick Lamb - Psychiatry Seminar" [8.10]: 1980 December 5
Digital copy available (bdr711465). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Martine Orne: tape one" [9.1]: 1985 August 26
Digital copy available (bdr710273). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Martine Orne: tape two" [9.2]: 1985 August 26
Digital copy available (bdr710274). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Martine Orne: tape three: Pennyslvania" [9.3]: 1989 September 8
Digital copy available (bdr710275). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Barbara Schwartz: Cambridge Apt [11.1]: 1983 February 19
Digital copy available (bdr711466). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Barbara Schwartz: Interview II" [11.2]: 1983 February 28
Digital copy available (bdr711660). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Barbara Schwartz: Interview III" [11.3]: 1983 March 7
Digital copy available (bdr711661). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Patrick Lamb and DM: Discussion of Anne Sexton's Psychiatric history" [12.6]: 1980 September 20
Digital copy available (bdr711662). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Anne Sexton, July 1963.Tape at Radcliffe Archive at Radcliffe Inst. (w. Martha White)" [12.7]: 1983 June 5
Digital copy available (bdr711467). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
Sexton interview taped at HRC no indic. date or circumstaces - Tape 1, sides A&B [12.13]: undated
Digital copy available (bdr711468). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Sexton interview tape at HRC tape #2 -- no date avail. signals" [12.14]: undated
Digital copy available (bdr711663). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Sexton interview taped at HRC tape #3 and tape #4 -- no date or other id." [12.15]: 1981 May 20
Digital copy available (bdr711664). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Blance Henry Taylor" [15.1]: 1983 April 27
Digital copy available (bdr711469). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
"Blance Henry Taylor, tape 2" [15.2]: 1983 April 27
Digital copy available (bdr711665). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
miscellaneous: Adrienne Rich [17.1]: 1983 May 18
Digital copy available (bdr711666). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
miscellaneous: "CK Williams" [17.7]: 1984 February 25
Digital copy available (bdr711667). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
miscellaneous: "George Starbuck" [17.13]: 1983 September 13
Digital copy available (bdr711668). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
miscellaneous: "Patrick Lamb borderline personality" [17.27]: 1980 November 5
Digital copy available (bdr711669). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
miscellaneous: "psychiatry grand rounds" [17.30]: 1988 October 12
Digital copy available (bdr711670). Consult John Hay Library staff for access.
This collection consists of the papers of Diane Middlebrook, biographer poet, and professor emeritus of English at Stanford University, from approximately 1956 to 2008. The collection documents Middlebrook's personal life, teaching career, and biographical research on Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Billy Tipton, and Ovid. Materials include correspondence, subject and research files, teaching and conference materials, interview transcripts, manuscript drafts, photographs, and audio recordings. This collection includes restricted materials.
The collection arrived to the Pembroke Center Archives in two batches and as such, has been processed in two sets. Subgroup I: First Accession, consists of Series 1 – 6. It was processed by Caitlin Christian-Lamb and Lindsey Fresta in 2011. Subgroup II: Second Accession, consists of series 7 – 14 and was processed by Crystal Johnson, Amanda Knox, Halle McArne, and Mary Murphy, in 2017.
Researchers should be aware that there is extensive overlap between the two accessions and as such, researchers should look through both subgroups when searching for a specific topic.
The processors created the arrangement of the Diane Middlebrook collection. Folder titles that are listed in quotations were created by Diane Middlebrook. The processors created the remaining folder titles.
Subgroup 1, Series 1, Anne Sexton, is arranged into 5 subseries: Manuscripts, Research Material and Notes, Publicity, Legal Documents, and Correspondence, related to Middlebrook's Anne Sexton: A Biography (1991). This series includes articles, reviews, notes, and writing on the ethics controversy caused by Middlebrook's use of Anne Sexton's taped psychiatric sessions. Materials are dated between 1980 and 2003.
Subgroup 1, Series 2, Billy Tipton, is arranged into 5 subseries: Manuscripts, Research Materials and Notes, Correspondence, Publicity, and Legal Documents, related to Middlebrook's Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton (1998). Materials are dated between 1993 and 2001.
Subgroup 1, Series 3, Ted Hughes, is arranged into 3 subseries: Research Materials and Notes, Legal Documents, and Publicity, related to Middlebrook's Her Husband: Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, A Marriage (2003). Materials are dated between 1999 and 2006.
Subgroup 1, Series 4, Ovid, is arranged into 3 subseries: Research Materials and Notes, Teaching Materials, and Legal Documents, related to a planned biography of the Roman poet, Ovid. Young Ovid: A Life Recreated was published posthumously in 2015. Materials are dated between 1980 and 2007.
Subgroup 1, Series 5, Professional Career, is arranged into six subseries: Teaching Materials, Lectures and Talks, Correspondence, Media, Resume/ Biographical material, and Other Published Writing. This series contains audiocassette and video interviews with Middlebrook, as well as teaching aids on audiocassette and 3.5 inch floppy disks. Materials are dated between 1969 and 2005.
Subgroup 1, Series 6, Personal Materials, are arranged into 6 subseries: Correspondence (Access requires written permission from Leah Middlebrook until January 1, 2037, after which date this subseries is open without restrictions), Writings, Miscellaneous Items of a personal nature, Legal Documents, Scrapbooks, and Photographs. The Scrapbooks subseries includes materials compiled by Middlebrook in her high school and college years, as well as her baby book and a book compiled for Middlebrook for her retirement from Stanford University. Materials are dated between 1958 and 2008.
Subgroup 2, Series 7, Biographical, contains personal material about Middlebrook including interviews with Middlebrook, medical records, and programs from tributes to Middlebrook. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type and date between 1972 and 2004.
Subgroup 2, Series 8, Anne Sexton: A Biography, contains the published text, reviews, conference materials, correspondence, drafts, fan mail, permissions, photocopied research files from the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin, and an extensive set of subject files, mostly organized by personal name. Researchers should note that subject files may include correspondence between Middlebrook and the subject; transcribed correspondence between the subject and others; interview transcripts of interviews conducted by Middlebrook and others with the subject; clippings, and handwritten and typed notes by Middlebrook regarding the subject. Of particular note are the subject files on Anne Sexton's doctors, Fred Duhl and Martin Orne. Series 8 also includes talks by Middlebrook regarding the book project. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic and dated between 1958 and 2002.
Subgroup 2, Series 9, Her Husband: Hughes and Plath, a Marriage, contains reviews, conference materials, correspondence, drafts, research files, and subject files. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic and dated between 1980 and 2007.
Subgroup 2, Series 10, Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton, contains the published text, reviews, fan mail, lecture transcripts, and publicity materials. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type and dated between 1997 and 2001.
Subgroup 2, Series 11, Young Ovid: A Life Recreated, contains the published text of Ovid: Metamorphoses translated by Rolfe Humphries, a manuscript, course materials, and lecture programs. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type and dated between 1998 and 2007.
Subgroup 2, Series 12, Photographs, is arranged into two subseries. Subseries 1, Personal, contains black and white and color photos of Diane Middlebrook, Jonathan Middlebrook, Lawrence Bridges, and Leah Middlebrook, in addition to other family members and unidentified people. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject and dated between 1961 and 1983. Subseries 2, Professional, contains black and white and color photos related to Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, and Billy Tipton. Folders are arranged alphabetically by project title and date between 1993 and 1999.
Subgroup 2, Series 13, Audio Recordings, contains audiocassettes, CD-ROMs, disks, zip disks, and floppy disks, and includes interviews and readings relating to the biographical research of Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, and Billy Tipton. They are dated between 1973 and 2003.
Subgroup 2, Series 14, Restricted Materials, is arranged into two subseries. Subseries 1, Restricted Paper Material, contains personal correspondence between Diane Middlebrook and her family, friends, lovers, and others. Folder titles for this set of correspondence identify the authors and dates of the correspondence. Access to Middlebrook's personal correspondence requires written permission from Leah Middlebrook until January 1, 2037, after which date this subseries will be open without restrictions.
Restricted paper materials also include transcripts of interviews conducted by Middlebrook with Anne Sexton's daughter, Linda Sexton. Access to material about Linda Sexton requires written permission from Linda Sexton during her lifetime, after which date the files will be open without restrictions. Please note that the medical records previously restricted are now open for research after a 50 year closure.
Subseries 2, Restricted Audio Recordings, contains audiocassettes of interviews conducted by Diane Middlebrook with Joy Sexton and Linda Sexton. They are dated between 1980 and 1989. Access requires written permission from Linda Sexton during her lifetime, after which date files will be open without restrictions.
All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the John Hay Library are requested to complete a Notice of Intent to Publish, available on the John Hay Library website or by request, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. The owners of the literary rights from whom to obtain any necessary permissions are Leah Middlebrook and Nancy K. Miller.
Diane Middlebrook papers, Ms.2010.043, Feminist Theory Archive, Brown University Library.
The collection is arranged into two subgroups. Subgroup 1 contains Series 1-6.
Subgroup 2 contains Series 7-14.
There are some restrictions on access and the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view any audiovisual media or born-digital records that may exist in this collection. Audiovisual media and born-digital records in this collection may not have been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical audiovisual or born-digital media is restricted. To contact Leah Middlebrook or Linda Sexton for use of restricted material in the collection, please email pembroke_archives@brown.edu. Access to Subgroup 1, Series 6, Subseries 1, Correspondence, requires written permission from Leah Middlebrook until January 1, 2037, after which date it is open without restrictions. Access to Subgroup 2, Series 14, Subseries 1, Correspondence (#26.1-26.47), requires written permission from Leah Middlebrook until January 1, 2037, after which date this subseries will be open without restrictions. Access to Subgroup 2, Series 14, Subseries 1, Interviews transcripts with Linda Sexton (#26.53-26.57), requires written permission from Linda Sexton during her lifetime, after which date the files will be open without restrictions. Access to Subgroup 2, Series 14, Subseries 2, Interviews audiotapes with Joy Sexton and Linda Sexton (Box 27), requires written permission from Linda Sexton during her lifetime, after which date the files will be open without restrictions. The collection can only be seen by prior appointment because some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view born-digital records. Born-digital materials in this collection have not been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical digital media is restricted.
The Diane Middlebrook papers were donated to the Feminist Theory Papers by Nancy K. Miller and Leah Middlebrook in August of 2010.
The Schlesinger Library at Harvard University holds the Anne Sexton Audiotapes and Papers, 1956-1988, including research material of Diane Middlebrook. http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~sch00274
The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin, holds the Anne Sexton Papers, 1912-1996. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/uthrc/00120/hrc-00120.html