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Evelyn Watson papers

 Collection
Identifier: RBMS-014

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of published and unpublished poems, plays and other writings, covering themes such as Christmas, religion, and mysticism. It also includes correspondence, photographs, and other miscellaneous items, such as a scrapbook containing poetry-related clippings.

Dates

  • 1921-1950

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material in English.

Terms of Access

Evelyn Watson papers, 1921-1950, are open for research.
Please note: This collection is stored off-site. Access to collection requires 3 business days’ notice. Contact The Poetry Collection at (716) 645-2917 or lpo-poetry@buffalo.edu to schedule an appointment.

Copyright

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and Rare and Special Books before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical Note

Miss Evelyn M. Watson was born on December 20, 1886 at Salamanca, New York. She was of New England ancestry. She studied at Allegheny College and was graduated from Mount Union College in 1909. After graduation, she did editorial and publicity work. Miss Watson was a recognized poet. She was awarded a gold medal for her verse by the National Poetry Center at Rockefeller Center, New York City. She was a Buffalo resident, living at 21 South Putnam Street until her death in 1956 [obituary, Buffalo Evening News, March 25, 1956].
Miss Watson was exceedingly prolific. She edited The Circle for some time, was involved with The English Poetry Society and other leading organizations of like nature. She was the author of myriad books of verse, plays and essays on metaphysics including:
When Mother Played God (1917),
Divine Fire and Other Poems (1922),
Kingdom Beautiful(1923),
Flames of Stars(1924),
Niagara (1924),
Lighted Tapers(1925),
Inner Radiance(1925),
Lifted Torches(1926),
Flame Kings(1927),
Candle Golde(1927),
Happy Heart Songs(1928),
A Book of Rainbows(1928),
Songs of the Niagara Frontier(1928),and
The Aureole(1928).

Extent

7 Linear Feet (12 manuscript boxes, 1 flat box)

Abstract

Papers of Evelyn Watson, prolific Buffalo-area writer, award-winning poet, and noted mystic. Consists of published and unpublished poems, plays and other writings, covering themes such as Christmas, religion, and mysticism. Also includes correspondence, photographs, and other miscellaneous items, such as a scrapbook containing poetry-related clippings.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series: I. Correspondence, II. Photographs and biographical fata, and III. Writings.

Acquisition Information

The bulk of the papers were a gift donated by Mrs. Harold Pinney, sister of Evelyn Watson, to the Reis Library at Allegheny College. The papers were subsequently given to Lockwood Library at various times during the 1954-1955 academic year. The papers transferred to the University Archives during the 1960s. Additional Watson-related material was donated to the University Archives in 1969 and 1971 by the Buffalo Public Library via its Curator of Rare Books, Joan van Arsdale. In October 2016, this collection was re-accessioned into the Rare and Special Books Collection from University Archives.

Accruals and Additions

No further accruals are expected to this collection.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Archives Staff in the 1970s.
Finding aid encoded by Danielle White.

Title
Finding Aid for the Evelyn Watson papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Archives Staff. Revised in October 2016 to reflect transfer to Rare and Special Books.
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The Poetry Collection Repository

Contact:
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo New York 14260-1674 US
716-645-2917
716-645-3714 (Fax)