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Minneapolis Poetry Society and the League of Minnesota Poets Records

 Collection
Identifier: M/A 0107

Description of Contents

Collection consists of a large number of newspaper clippings, snapshots, clippings of published poems, event invitations and programs, scrapbooks, press notices, and membership rolls.

Dates

  • Creation: 1934 - 1982

Creator

Access

The collection is available for use in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library 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, the same year that 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”. “Moccasin Annual” was later renamed “The Moccasin”. 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 and had a column in the Star Tribune for many years.

Extent

2.08 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials in Hennepin County Library Special Collections

Cary, Robert. “Voices at Daybreak and Other Poems” 821.0 C27.1

Clausen, Clara A. “Steps in Creative Poetry, a Book for Poetry Lovers”. 808.1 C61

Dickson, Margarette Ball. “One Man and a Dream” 821.0 D554.1

Flynn, Harry Eugene, Ray Butts MacLean and Chester Benford. “Voices of Verse” 821.08 F64

Schilplin, Maude C. “Minnesota Verse, an Anthology”. Edited by Maude C. Schilplin 821.08 S33

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

Contact:
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200