James I. Merrill (AC 1947) and William S. Burford (AC 1949) Correspondence
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the collection consists of thirty-four letters written by James Merrill to William S. Burford while they were Amherst College undergraduates. Also, six pen and ink sketches from Merrill's student days at Amherst; and two copies of the final publication of (as well as a draft of credits for) the literary journal The Medusa, which Merrill and Burford co-founded.
Dates
- Creation: 1945-1980
Creator
- Merrill, James, 1926-1995 (AC 1947) (Person)
- Burford, William (AC 1949) (Recipient, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There is no restriction on access to the James I. Merrill (AC 1947) and William S. Burford (AC 1949) Correspondence, 1945-1980 for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections in the first instance. Washington University retains ownership of all copyrights to the letters written by James Merrill. All requests for permission and consent for use of the letters must be agreed to by the owners and the holders of copyrights to the materials that are the subject of such requests, including Amherst, as the physical owner of the original letters written by Merrill; Washington University as the holder of the Merrill copyrights; Merrill's literary executors as necessary; and the holders of the Burford copyrights, as appropriate. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.
Biographical / Historical
James Ingram Merrill was born on March 3, 1926, son of Hellen Ingram Merrill (later Plummer) and Charles E. Merrill (AC 1908). Merrill prepared for college at Lawrenceville School and entered Amherst with the Class of 1947 in the summer of 1943. Merrill interrupted his studies between May, 1944 and February, 1945 when he served in the Army Enlisted Reserves. He returned to graduate in June, 1947. Merrill was on good terms with the College throughout his life, returning to teach, serve as a fellow, give readings, and participate in a variety of College events. A detailed chronology of the poet's association with Amherst and a comprehensive list of Merrill's Amherst College undergraduate courses follow:
Chronology of James I. Merrill (AC 1947) at Amherst College
- 1943 summer term
- Matriculated; lived in Psi Upsilon House, room 6 (through May 1944)
- 1943 July 2
- Listed in the "Class of 1947 Directory" published in The Gazette of Amherst College
- 1943-1944
- Listed in the Amherst College Catalogue under the "Class of 1947" for the summer (July 1-Oct 13, 1943) and fall (Oct 21-Feb 9, 1944) terms
- 1943 October -1944 February
- Roomed in Psi Upsilon House, room 6
- 1943 October 1-2
- Played the butler, Johann Dwornitschek, in a production of Molnar's The Play's the Thing
- 1943 October 29
- Listed in the "College Directory - Winter Term" published in The Gazette of Amherst College
- 1943 November
- Author of "Campus Comment" in Amherst Graduates' Quarterly
- 1944 February-May
- Roomed in Psi Upsilon House, room 6
- 1944 February
- Author of "Undergraduate Comment" in Amherst Graduates' Quarterly
- 1944
- Appears in the freshman group photograph in The Olio
- 1944-1945
- Listed in the Amherst College Catalogue under the "Class of 1947" for the spring (February 17-May 31, 1944) term
- 1944 May 27
- Entered the Army Enlisted Reserve
- 1945 January 24
- Discharged from the Army 1945-1946 Listed in the Amherst College Catalogue under the "Class of 1947" for the spring (February 15-May 29, 1945), summer (June 28-September 19, 1945), and fall (September 27-February 2, 1946) terms
- 1945 February 15
- Re-enrolled at Amherst College
- 1945 February-May
- Roomed in Chi Psi Lodge (to February 1946
- 1945 February 20
- Listed in the "Amherst College Directory" published in The Jeff
- 1945 June 30
- Listed in the "Amherst College Directory" for summer term published in The Jeff
- 1945 summer term
- Roomed in Chi Psi Lodge
- 1945 September 28
- Listed in the "Amherst College Directory" for fall term published in The Jeff
- 1945 October -1946
- February Roomed in Chi Psi Lodge
- 1945 October 20
- Mentioned in an article in The Jeff about the Orphee production ("Kirby Theatre Guild Presentation For Fall To Be Two One Act Plays")
- 1945 November 30
- Mentioned in an article in The Jeff about the Orphee production ("My Heart's In The Highlands And Orphee To Open At Kirby Theatre")
- 1945 December 6-8
- Played the title role in a production of Cocteau's Orphee
- 1945 December 7
- Mentioned in an article in The Jeff about the Orphee production ("Casts of Kirby Theatre Plays Demonstrated Great Skill and Poise")
- 1945 December 14
- Appears in the Theatre Guild photograph ("Brains Behind Guild") and the Orphee photograph ("Orphee's Best Friend") in The Jeff
- 1946-1947
- Listed in the Amherst College Catalogue under the "Class of 1947" for the spring (February 4-June 11, 1946) and fall (September 25-February 1, 1947) terms
- 1946 spring term
- Roomed at 24 Tyler Place [Crosby's?] (at least to Feb 1947)
- 1946 February 8
- Article in The Jeff about Merrill's election as President of The Medusa ("Whicher to Read Own Works At Medusa"); Merrill also listed in "Extra-curricular Activities"
- 1946 May 17
- Article in The Jeff about the receiving the Irene Glascock memorial poetry prize from Mount Holyoke College ("Amherst Bard Wins Holyoke Poet Prize")
- 1946 May 28
- Mentioned in article in The Jeff about The Masquers ("Reorganization, Election Of Officers Features Return Of The Masquers")
- 1946
- Listed as an Olio contributor in The 1946 Olio (with red paper covers), page 35, which was produced in May of 1945 (the Class of 1946 graduated in May 1945 because the College accelerated the program due to the war)
- 1946 June
- Appears in Kirby Theatre Guild and The Medusa photographs in The Olio (white hardcover), pages 60-61, page 65
- 1946-1947 fall term
- Roomed at 24 Tyler Place [Crosby's?]
- 1946 fall
- Edited The Medusa with William Burford (AC 1949). The journal contained four Merrill poems: "The Broken Bowl," "From Morning into Morning," "Medusa," "The Black Swan"
- 1946 December 10
- Election to Phi Beta Kappa noted in an article in The Amherst Student ("Sedelow Chosen Phi Beta Kappa Head; New Members Selected")
- 1947 May 14
- Mentioned in an article in The Amherst Student about the Masquers productions ("Petrified Forest; Sherwood Drama To Be Followed by One-Act Plays")
- 1947 May 22-23
- Production of The Birthday, a play in blank verse by Merrill, at Kirby Theater
- 1947 May 28
- Received the Collin Armstrong (AC 1877) Poetry Prize
- 1947 May 28
- Mentioned in an article in The Amherst Student about workshop dramas ("Second Series Of Workshop Dramas Presented In Kirby")
- 1947
- In The Olio: senior photograph, page 42; Phi Beta Kappa photograph, page 75; The Masquers photograph, page [80]; list of activities, page 132
- 1947 June 15
- Senior honors thesis: "A la Recherche du Temps Perdu :Impressionism in Literature"
- Awarded a B.A. degree summa cum laude, English major, at the 127th Commencement. (The degree was voted by the Trustees, on May 3, 1947)
- 1947-1948
- Listed in the Amherst College Catalogue in the "Honors" section for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society and as the 1947 recipient of the Collin Armstrong Poetry Prize for Eight Poems, "the best original poems in a group." Also listed under "Degrees Conferred June 15, 1947"
- 1950
- Twenty-One Lyrics, a production of G. F. Whicher's Humanities 1- 2 course, includes Merrill's poem "The Broken Bowl"
- 1951 May
- Review in Amherst Alumni News ("Amherst Authors" section, "1942 and 1947") of Merrill's book First Poems
- 1951
- Ten Student Poems: A Selection of Poetry Composed by Students in English 23-24, Advanced Composition, at Amherst College, 1946-1951 (Merrill's poem "The Forms of Death: I, II, III, IV")
- 1955 February 10
- Article in The Amherst Student about Merrill's comedy The Immortal Husband ("Comedy By Merrill '47 Opens Soon In New York")
- 1955-1956
- Visiting Assistant Professor of English. Taught English 21 and 22, Introduction to Literature, and English 23 and 24, Advanced Composition
- Merrill lived on Market Hill Road (at Professor Walker Gibson's house while Gibson was away on leave), his campus office was in Grosvenor 26
- 1956 January
- Review in Amherst Alumni News of The Misanthrope by Molière,translated by Richard Wilbur '42
- 1956 May 24
- Mentioned in an article in The Amherst Student about faculty who were leaving: Merrill was to travel the world ("Twenty-Seven Of Faculty To Leave Amherst In Next Year")
- 1956
- Faculty photograph in The Olio, page 25
- 1957 April
- Review in Amherst Alumni News ("Amherst Authors" section, "1947") of Merrill's book The Seraglio
- 1963 January 7
- Announcement in The Amherst Student ("Poetry Here Tuesday Merrill '47 To Read") for January 8 poetry reading
- 1963 January 8
- Poetry reading in Johnson Chapel
- 1963 January 10
- Article in The Amherst Student ("James Merrill At Amherst") about his January 8 poetry reading
- 1968 June 7
- Received an Honorary Litt.D. degree at the 147th Commencement
- 1972 fall
- Announcement in Amherst ("Amherst Authors" section, "1947") of Merrill's book Braving the Elements
- 1973 winter
- Article in Amherst ("James Merrill '47 Wins Bollingen Prize") about winning the prize, for Braving the Elements
- 1973 December 10
- Poetry reading in Johnson Chapel
- 1977 spring
- Announcement in Amherst ("Amherst Authors" section, "Merrill Wins Pulitzer") about winning the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, for Divine Comedies
- 1980 May 24
- Class Day speaker for Senior Week and Commencement
- 1980 summer
- Article in Amherst ("The man in manifesto") about his Class Day appearance
- 1982 June
- Sent news and photograph for the Classes of 1947 and 1948's 35th Reunion Book
- 1983 spring
- Article in Amherst ("Amherst Authors" section, "A host true to his word") about Merrill's books From the First Nine: Poems 1946- 1976 and Changing Light at Sandover
- 1983 April 25-29
- dinner and poetry reading on April 29
- poetry reading on April 25
- Merrill is the sixth Robert Frost Library Fellow
- Friends of the Amherst College Library keepsake publication: the poem Think Tank
- 1983
- Article in Newsletter of the Friends of the Amherst College Library about Merrill's Robert Frost Library Fellowship
- 1988 June 4
- Poetry reading during Reunion Week (Classes of 1947 and 1948 combined 40th Reunion)
- 1988 fall
- Article in Amherst ("The Senior Song") about Merrill's poetry reading at Reunion
- 1990 winter
- Article in Amherst ("National poetry prize is awarded to Merrill") about the Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, from the Library of Congress, for The Inner Room
- 1993 October 22
- Book signing of Merrill's memoir, A Different Person, at the Jeffery Amherst Bookshop during Homecoming Weekend
- 1994 winter
- Article in Amherst ("Amherst Authors" section, "Learning how to live") about Merrill's book A Different Person: A Memoir
- 1995 February 6
- Merrill's death
- 1995 spring
- Article in Amherst ("A Parnassian is gone") about Merrill's death; obituary in the "Notes" section
- 1997 May-June
- Obituary reprinted in the Classes of 1947 and 1948's 50th Reunion Book
- 2001 April 12
- "A celebration of poet James Merrill: with readings of his work and remembrances by local poets," in Johnson Chapel, with related exhibition in the Archives and Special Collections, Robert Frost Library
- 2001 summer
- Article in Amherst ("Amherst Authors" section, "Literary event of the year") about the posthumously published Collected Poems
James I. Merrill's (AC 1947) Amherst College Courses
- 1943 July 1-October 13 (summer; Term 1)
- Math 1 (Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry) with Nels David Nelson/William Jesse Newlin
- Greek 4 (Homer) with Francis Howard Fobes
- German 1 (Elementary Course) with Manford Vaughn Kern
- History 1 (Introduction to the History of Contemporary Civilization) with Allen Austin Gilmore
- English 41 (The Renaissance) with George Roy Elliott
- 1943 October 21-1944 February 9 (1943-1944 fall; Term 2)
- Greek 5 (Plato: The Lyric Poets) with Francis Howard Fobes
- German 2 (Elementary Course) with Manford Vaughn Kern
- History 2 (Europe From 1848 to the Present, With Emphasis on World War I and the Subsequent Period) with Lawrence Bradford Packard
- English 42 (The Renaissance) with George Roy Elliott
- Math 2 (Analytic Geometry and an Introduction to Calculus) with William Jesse Newlin
- 1944 February 17-May 31 (1943-1944 spring; Term 3)
- English 19 (English Composition) with Reuben Arthur Brower, Theodore Baird, and G. Armour Craig
- Philosophy 16 (Philosophical Literature) with Roger Wellington Holmes
- French 37 (French Poetry Through the Parnassians) with Ralph Coplestone Williams
- Greek 6 ( The Lyric Poets: Euripides) with Francis Howard Fobes
- German 7 (Goethe) with Otto Manthey-Zorn
- 1945 February 15-May 29 (1944-1945 spring; Term 4)
- Biology 1 (General Biology) with Otto Charles Glaser/Hermann Joseph Muller
- Philosophy 32 (Contemporary American Philosophy) with Gail Kennedy
- French 37 (Advanced Readings in French Literature) with George Banks Funnell
- English 29 (Shakespeare) with Theodore Baird
- German 34 (Studies in German Culture) with Otto Manthey-Zorn
- 1945 June 28-September 19 (summer; Term 5)
- English S43-44 (Double Course, American Literature) with George Frisbie Whicher
- History S3-4 (Double Course, Classical Civilization) with Charles Lawton Sherman
- 1945 September 27-1946 February 2 (1945-1946 fall; Term 6)
- Italian 15 (Elementary Course) with Reginald Foster French
- Astronomy 1 (Introduction to General Astronomy) with Warren Kimball Green
- English 25 (Science and Literature in the Nineteenth Century) with Theodore Baird
- English 55 (Conference Course)
- 1946 February 4-June 11 (1945-1946 spring; Term 7)
- Italian 16 (Elementary Course) with Reginald Foster French
- Philosophy 18 (Ethics) with Gail Kennedy
- English 35 (Chaucer) with George Frisbie Whicher
- English 56 (Conference Course)
- 1946 September 25-1947 February 1 (1946-1947 fall; Term 8)
- Italian 33 (Dante) with Reginald Foster French
- Philosophy 37 (Philosophy of Religion) with James A. Martin, Jr.
- English 23 (English Composition) with William Walker Gibson
- English 60 (Conference Course)
Senior Thesis: "A la Recherche du Temps Perdu: Impressionism in Literature"
Merrill completed his course work during the fall semester of 1946, which ended on February 1, 1947. He was an English major. The second semester (spring) began on February 3, 1947. He was awarded a B.A. degree, summa cum laude, at the 127th Commencement on June 15, 1947. (The degree was voted by the Trustees on May 3, 1947.)
Extent
0.25 Linear feet (1 half archives box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The bulk of the collection consists of thirty-four letters written by James Merrill to William S. Burford while they were Amherst College undergraduates. Also, six pen and ink sketches from Merrill's student days at Amherst; and two copies of the final publication of (as well as a draft of credits for) the literary journal The Medusa, which Merrill and Burford co-founded.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into three series:
- Series 1: Letters, 1946-1980, [undated]
- Series 2: Sketches, Drawings, Notes, and Poem, circa 1945-1947
- Series 3: The Medusa, 1946
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was part of a larger lot of Merrill material from the estate of Jonathan Goodwin, sold at auction by Christie's in New York, on June 17, 2003. The lot was acquired by Washington University in St. Louis; the Merrill-Burford material was acquired from them, by prior arrangement, in October 2003. Merrill's letters were presented to the Amherst College Library on April 23, 2004, by the Friends of the Amherst College Library, in a ceremony celebrating the growth of the Library collection to more than one million volumes. The acquisition of the letters as the symbolic millionth accession to the Library's holdings was made possible by a gift in memory of James I. Merrill.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Daria D'Arienzo and Barbara Trippel Simmons
- Date
- 2008
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299
archives@amherst.edu