US-RPB-ms79.13 Guide to the Parker Tyler Correspondence from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams1930-1959 Finding aid prepared by Patricia J. Albright. Brown University Library 2013
Box A Brown University Providence, RI, 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email:hay@brown.edu
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-11-22 English Parker Tyler Correspondence from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams Ms.79.13 John Hay LibrarySpecial Collections
Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu
English 0.25 Linear feet (42 letters) 1930-1959 The Parker Tyler Correspondence consists of forty-two letters from Ezra Pound (1885-1972) and William Carlos Williams (1883-1963), addressed to Parker Tyler, a young American poet and literary critic. This small but rich body of correspondence serves a dual function: it sheds light on Tyler's development and reputation as a writer; and, most importantly, it offers valuable insights into the personal lives and the poetic theories and techniques of two major figures in American literature. Tyler, Parker Tyler (Parker) Correspondence from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams Biographical note

Parker Tyler was born in New Orleans in 1907 and began his career as a poet, biographer, and film and literary critic while still in his early twenties.

His poetry was first anthologized by Ezra Pound in 1933, and major works written during the thirty-year period which this collection covers include Three Examples of Love Poetry (1936), The Metaphor in the Jungle (1940), Yesterday's Children, with Pavel Tchelitchew (1944), and Charlie Chaplin (1947).

Tyler served as associate editor of View magazine during the 1940s and 1950s, and in 1958 received the Longview Award for his poetry. His more recent works have consisted of biographies and collections of film criticism, including a 1972 study of Charlie Chaplin.

He died in 1974.

 Collection information

The materials within the Parker Tyler Collection are divided into two chronologically-arranged series: one for the 14 letters of Pound and the second for the 28 pieces of correspondence from Williams.

The 14 Pound letters date from 1930-1937, and, while idiosyncratic in style and replete with obscure references, do contain information about the writer's personal life, his philosophy of literature, his economic and political theories, and his evaluation of contemporary poets such as T.S. Eliot and Wallace Stevens.

The 28 letters from Williams, in contrast, focus almost entirely on the poet's literary theories and on his analysis of his own and Tyler's growth as writers and critics. In particular, Williams discusses the development and future of American poetry, the roles that Eliot, Pound, and others have played in the development and future of American poetry, and his perceptions on how his own poetic style has evolved and may influence American literature as a whole.

Brown University does not hold literary rights to this collection. Rights in the literary estate of Ezra Pound, including the materials in this collection, are held by the Ezra Pound Literary Property Trust, whose agent is New Directions Publishing. Similarly, the literary rights to all William Carlos Williams manuscripts reside with the heir(s) of his literary estate. Inquiries concerning permissions to publish, which it is the responsibility of the user to obtain, should be sent to the agent for the Pound trust or the heir(s) to Williams' literary estate.

There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can be seen only by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.

The collection is organized into two series:

Series 1. Correspondence from Ezra Pound Series 2. Correspondence from William Carlos Williams

This collection is arranged chronologically within each series.

Parker Tyler Correspondence from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams, Ms. 79.13, Brown University Library.

 Administrative information

The materials in this collection were given to Brown University by Parker Tyler in December 1963.

 Additional information

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Parker Tyler Correspondence from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams

Researchers who wish to study Tyler as a poet and critic are also referred to the substantial number of his writings, including several limited editions and a marked printer's copy of The Granite Butterfly, in the Harris Collection, Brown University Library.

 Names Eliot, T. S. (Thomas Stearns), 1888-1965 Pound, Ezra, 1885-1972 Stevens, Wallace, 1879-1955 Tchelitchew, Pavel, 1898-1957 Tyler, Parker Williams, William Carlos, 1883-1963 Subjects American literature--20th century American poetry--20th century Occupations Biographers Film critics Poets Types of Materials Letters (Correspondence) RIAMCO Browsing Term Language and Literature Correspondence from Ezra Pound Series 1 14.0 items 1930-[1937?] Correspondence 1 3.0 items 1930-1931 Scope and Contents note

Pound gives his opinion of the magazines Symposium and Pagany (25 December 1930). Defends writing article in Morada; describes life at Rapallo, Italy (17 Jan 1931).

 Pound, Ezra Correspondence 2 6.0 items 1933 Scope and Contents note

Pound refers to inclusion of Tyler's poems from Profiles anthology (14 January). Criticizes contemporary poets, including Wallace Stevens and T.S. Eliot (14 January, 13-14 February, 19 March). Discusses poetry anthology he is about to edit for a London publisher; asks Tyler for poetry and suggestions (23 February). Announces receipt of poems by Tyler and Harold Rosenberg to be included in anthology (24 April).

 Pound, Ezra Correspondence 3 5.0 items [ca. 1934]-1935, [1937?] Scope and Contents note

Broadside or proof of a published letter concerning "Volitionist Economics" (ca. 27 October 1934). Refers to Writers Union and Writer's Today publication (23 April, 13 May 1935). Criticizes Tyler's poem Arabesque (19 April [1937?]).

 Pound, Ezra Correspondence from William Carlos Williams Series 2 28.0 items 1935-1959 Correspondence 4 4.0 items 1935-1936 Scope and Contents note

Williams praises Tyler's poetry (15 and 21 March, 4 June 1935). Salutes the "excellence and seriousness" of the younger poet's "craftsmanship" and compares Tyler's poetic concerns with his own (23 July 1936).

 Williams, William Carlos Correspondence 5 6.0 items 1937-1938, 1940 Scope and Contents note

Agrees to write an unidentified article for one of Tyler's books and discusses Pavel Tchelitchew's works (20 May 1937). Refers to publication of his article about H. H. Lewis in New Masses and unwillingness of Partisan Review to publish his poems (29 December 1937). Speaks of his current writings, including In the Money and poems to be published in the Laughlin pamphlet series (8 September 1940). Discusses Tyler's writing; feels that Tyler's poems are approaching his own in their "diamantine clarity" and makes unfavorable mention of T.S. Eliot's poetry (10 September 1940).

 Williams, William Carlos Correspondence 6 4.0 items 1943, 1945 Scope and Contents note

Discusses a collection of literary criticism by Tyler; analyzes works and poetic flaws of Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot in detail and explains his view of the development and future of American poetry (1 July 1943). Mentions contents of and reaction to his article in Partisan Review criticising John Dewey's theory of the value of learning (28 December 1943). Offers favorable critique of Tyler's The Granite Butterfly (29 December 1945).

 Williams, William Carlos Correspondence 7 5.0 items 1946 Scope and Contents note

Feels that "American poetry has been sick since the popular stuff Elliot [sic] dumped on us"; sees end of "slump" approaching and is encouraged by Tyler's poems (5 January). Sends a "piece" to Tyler and asks him to edit the material as he wishes (9 January). Refers to the proposed publication of issue of Briarcliffe Quarterly devoted to his works (10 July).

 Williams, William Carlos Correspondence 8 5.0 items 1948 Scope and Contents note

Comments on complementary relationship between poetry and prose as forms of literature which do not need to be seperated as "Mr. Eliot might insist" (10 March). States that he will be discussing The Granite Butterfly in a series of Y.M.C.A. lectures (18 September; mss. notes added to letter in Tyler's hand). Criticizes Tyler's study of Chaplin (18, 22 September, and two "Sunday, 1948" letters).

 Williams, William Carlos Correspondence 9 4.0 items 1949, 1959 Scope and Contents note

Discusses his theory of poetry and his standards for his own works; analyzes modern French poetry (9 February 1949). States that most poets "are so damned intent on getting 'big' ideas in their verse that they are nothing but big wind bags writing conventional drivel" (22 February 1949). In reference to request from Tyler for contributions to article on neo-romanticist writers, asks if he has consulted Jack Kerouac and recommends poems of Naomi Hunter (24 January 1959).

 Williams, William Carlos