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William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MA.00366

Scope and Contents

The William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers contain originals of the poems Clamurro wrote while serving in the war as a non-combatant medic; Clamurro's original "Vietnam Typescript" containing some of that poetry; correspondence from Clamurro in Vietnam to his family at home, and from poet Archibald MacLeish to Clamurro, especially regarding Clamurro's Vietnam service. A 2019 addition to the collection included 38 letters to Jack D. Hailey, Clamurro's classmate at Amherst College. One of this group of letters, that dated October 27, 1968, was written on the verso of Clamurro's typescript appeal for "1AO" status.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1969-2018

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There is no restriction on access to the William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests for permission to publish material from the William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections (archives@amherst.edu). It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Biographical / Historical

William Henry Clamurro, the son of Philip C. and Gertrude A. Gilliam Clamurro, was born in 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. His family moved to New Jersey during his early childhood, and he spent most of his youth there. He graduated from Amherst College in 1967 and received his M.A. from the University of Washington in 1968. He served as a non-combatant medic -- "1AO" status -- from 1969-1971. Upon his return to the United States, he pursued his doctorate in literature, especially Spanish literature, and has taught in the field ever since, including at Denison University (Ohio); St. Mary's College (Maryland); Montclair State University (New Jersey); the Universidad de las Américas (Mexico), and Emporia State University (Kansas). He retired from the latter in 2017. Clamurro is also an an accomplished oboist.

Extent

0.75 Linear feet (1 and 1/2 archives boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers contain wartime letters from Clamurro to his parents and to Amherst College classmate Jack D. Hailey; poetry written while in Vietnam; letters from poet Archibald MacLeish to Clamurro, and other documentation about Clamurro's time in Vietnam and the writing he did during his service.

Arrangement

The William H. Clamurro (AC 1967) Papers are organized in one series.

Separated Materials

Three copies of "Panache," each containing Clamurro's poetry: Panache 9 (1972); Panache 12 (1973), and Panache 14 (1975). Removed for cataloguing.

Processing Information

Processed in 2018, with accretion in 2019, by Margaret R. Dakin, Archives and Special Collections Specialist.

Status
Completed
Date
2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299