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Clara and Rudolf Kirk papers

 Collection
Identifier: 90.400-Friends-1970-Kirk

Scope and Contents

Materials consist of srafts, manuscripts, and galleys concerning the writing of Clara Kirk’s book "Oliver Goldsmith" compose the majority of the collection. Also included are personal papers and photographs, journals and newsletters, and clippings concerning Dr. Rudolf Kirk’s mentor and colleague Dr. Hardin Craig.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1964 - 1968

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright status is unknown. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies.

Clara Marburg Kirk

Clara Marburg Kirk (1898-1976) received her doctorate degree from University of Chicago after developing an extensive background in 17th and 18th century literature. She taught at such prestigious schools as Bryn Mawr, Vassar, and Rutgers. She also studied abroad, at the University of Brussels for one year as Fulbright Research Scholar, and in England tracking down and studying the letters of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn (which she later turned into a book) under a grant from the American Learned Societies. After an extended stay at Rutgers, Kirk moved to San Marcos in 1963 with her husband, fellow Rutgers English professor Rudolf Kirk (1898-1989) when he accepted a teaching position at Southwest Texas State College. He retired in 1967. Clara Kirk served as President for the League of Women Voters from 1967-1968. Clara Kirk later accepted a position as head librarian for Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and oversaw the Moncure Conway Collection housed there.

Some of her published works include: "Mr. Pepys and Mr. Evelyn," "Types of English Poetry," "William Dean Howells, Traveler from Alturia," Sir William Temple: A Seventeeth Century 'libertin'," "W.D. Howells and the Art of his Time," and "Oliver Goldsmith." Almost all of the material in the University Archives pertains to her work on Goldsmith. She, along with her husband, also published numerous essays on poetry and worked often with William Dean Howells. They wrote introductions for several of his works, including Traveler from Altruria, and created their own collection of his materials. The Kirk-Howells collection, now housed at the Van Pelt library at the University of Pennsylvania, contains over 200 books, five scrapbooks, and photos, clippings, and magazine articles about Howells.

Extent

0.83 Linear Feet (Two legal sized Hollinger boxes )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Clara Marburg Kirk, was an American author married to a professor at Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University), Rudolf Kirk. This collection contains materials related to her book "Oliver Goldsmith" along with a small amount of personal papers.

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site. Advance notice may be required for use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Some, if not all, of the material in the Kirk files was donated by Dr. Rudolf Kirk in approximately 1970. Some of the materials contain handwritten notes to that effect.

Related Materials

The Kirk-Howells collection, now housed at the Van Pelt library at the University of Pennsylvania, contains over 200 books, five scrapbooks, and photos, clippings, and magazine articles about Howells. Clara, along with her husband, also published numerous essays on poetry and worked often with William Dean Howells. They wrote introductions for several of his works, including Traveler from Altruria, and created their own collection of his materials.

Bibliography

  • Kirk, Clara. Oliver Goldsmith.
  • Kirk, Clara. Mr. Pepys and Mr. Evelyn.
  • Houston, Ralph. Rosemary for Remembrance: a Memoir Commemorating theDepartment of English, Southwest Texas State University in its 75th AnniversaryYear.
Title
Clara and Rudolf Kirk papers
Status
Completed
Author
Kendall Milton
Date
2005 April 12
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • July 2019 and April 2021: ArchivesSpace migration revisions by Eric Robertson-Gordon and Nicole Critchley

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Alkek Library Room 204
601 University Drive
San Marcos Texas 78666 USA