Cyril Clemens Papers, 1927-1982

Summary

Creator:
Clemens, Cyril, 1902-1999.
Abstract:
Correspondence, writings and memorabilia of the American author and Twain biographer.
Extent:
1.75 linear ft.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Cyril Clemens Papers,

Background

Scope and content:

The Cyril Clemens Papers contain correspondence, writings, and memorabila.

Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing; correspondents include authors (Willa Cather, Will Cuppy, George Bernard Shaw), governors (J.P. Coleman of Mississippi, Orval E. Faubus of Arkansas, Luther H. Hodges of North Carolina, William G. Stratton of Illinois), congressmen (Harry Byrd, Thomas J. Dodd, Jacob Javits, John F. Kennedy, Herman Talmadge), and foreign dignitaries (David Ben Gurion, Francisco Franco, Feldmarschall Erich von Manstein, Austrian Chancellor Julius Raab, Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia Sir Edgar Whitehead). An alphabetical list of correspondents (incoming only) may be found at the end of this finding aid.

Writings includes typescript manuscripts of articles, books, and essays, many on Mark Twain, as well as diaries and commonplace books covering more than ten years, printed material, and production records for three Twain projects.

Memorabilia contains miscellaneous materials about, Printed material, Scrapbook of newspaper reviews, and Miscellany (Box 4, 4 Folders)

Biographical / historical:

Cyril Coniston Clemens was born in in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 14, 1902. After attending Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, he continued his education at St. Louis University High School, attended Georgetown University, and received his B.A.. and M.A. degrees from Washington University (St. Louis). He married Nan B. Shallcross on October 8, 1933. He was a distant cousin of Samuel Langhorn Clemens and spent his life researching, writing about, and otherwise promoting his famous cousin. A family inheritance enabled him to devote time to these pursuits, including offering a life membership in the International Mark Twain Society, which he founded in 1930, to hundreds of important individuals. He also founded and edited the Mark Twain Quarterly, 1936-1982. His writing include biographies of Twain and Truman and short sketches of famous authors and politicians, including George Bernard Shaw, A.E. Housman, Mussolini, Sir Robert Walpole, and John Galsworthy. He died May 16, 1999.

Arrangement:

Correspondence is divided into incoming and outgoing; incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent (Box 1, Folders 1-4) while outgoing correspondence is arranged alphabetically by recipient (Box 1, Folder 5). Writings: Manuscripts are arranged alphabetically by title Writings: Diaries/Commonplace Books are arranged chronologically. Writings: Printed Materials and Writings: Production Records are arranged alphabetically by title.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Cyril Clemens Papers,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu