Minneapolis Poetry Society and the League of Minnesota Poets Records
Description of Contents
Two boxes. Collection consists of a large number of newspaper clippings, snapshots, clippings of published poems, event invitations and programs, scrapbooks, press notices, membership rolls.
Dates
- 1934 - 1982
Creator
- Minneapolis Poetry Society (Organization)
- League of Minnesota Poets (Organization)
Access Restrictions
The collection is available for use in Special Collections during the department's open hours.
History
The League of Minnesota Poets was founded by Clara A. Clausen, Irl Morse and Marie d’Autremont Gerry in 1934. In 1934, Margarette Ball Dickson became the first poet Laureate for the state of Minnesota. The first officers for this society were Margarette Ball Dickson, Robert Cary, Mary Pierre Boucher, Clara A. Clausen, and Maude C. Schilplin. The League of Minnesota Poets published a yearbook annually. In 1937 this yearbook was renamed the “Moccasin Annual”. Today the “Moccasin Annual” is simply called “The Moccasin”. The League of Minnesota Poets is still an active organization today. Annual membership cost twenty dollars. The league has holds poetry contests and academic conferences for its members.
One of the founders and most well-known members of the league was Clara A. Clausen. Clara was well-known as a poet in her native Ohio before moving to Minnesota. She wrote several books on writing techniques including, “Steps in Creative Poetry” and “Suggestions for the Writer of Verse”. She often gave lectures on writing and had a large following of correspondence students. She worked as an instructor of adult education in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Another well-known member of the league was Alice “Ruth” Sherman. Mrs. Sherman was a graduate of Emerson College in Boston Massachusetts. She wrote and starred in many radio and television commercials in the Twin Cities. She also had her own radio show called the “Mixing Bowl”. She published under the pen name, Alice O’Connell Sherman. She had a column in the Star Tribune for many years.
Extent
2.08 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
- American poetry -- 20th century. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- American poetry -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clubs -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Minneapolis Poetry Society and the League of Minnesota Poets Records
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Repository
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200
specialcoll@hclib.org