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Clinton F. Larson papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1984

Scope and Contents note

The Clinton F. Larson collection contains materials mostly related to Clinton's life as an author. Other notable inclusions are audio-visual materials, correspondence, biographical files, student theses, scrapbooks, photographs, and his personal library.

Dates

  • 1970-1978

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Clinton F. Larson papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Clinton F. Larson (1919-1994) was a respected and prolific Mormon writer. He is especially known for his poetry and plays. He was also an English professor at Brigham Young University for 38 years.

Clinton F. Larson, BYU English Professor and poet-in-residence for thirty-eight years, dedicated serious effort to the craft of poetry. Author of several volumes of poems, including The Lord of Experience, Counterpoint, The conversions of God, Centennial Portraits, Selected Poems of Clinton F. Larson, and Sunwind, he was also a prolific playwright. Most of his plays are poetic dramas and range from serious religious works (The Mantle of the Prophet) to satirical comedies underscoring the foibles of modern times, to children's fantasies.

During the 1960s Larson wrote the narrative for The Illustrated Stories from the Book of Mormon, a sixteen-volume work. Other achievements include editing with William Stafford Modern Poetry of Western America and, with Andre Maurois, La Poesie Contemporaine aux Etats-Unis.

He was one of the founders of BYU Studies, the Rocky Mountain Writers' Convention, and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Clinton F. Larson was--in the words of his editor, colleague, and friend David L. Evans--"one of the most significant and highly-respected Mormon writers of our time and also one of the most prolific."

Extent

55 boxes (27.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement note

Arranged in 14 series: 1. Clinton F. Larson books periodicals, and reference materials, 1937-1999. 2. Clinton F. Larson audio-visual material, 1952-2008. 3. Clinton F. Larson plays and music, 1949-1985. 4. Clinton F. Larson Illustrated Stories from the Book of Mormon book with narrative editing, 1967-1985. 5. Clinton F. Larson collections of poems, 1946-1993. 6. Clinton F. Larson published books, proofs, and posters, 1947-1990. 7. Clinton F. Larson holographs. 8. Clinton F. Larson newspaper clippings, 1935-2001. 9. Clinton F. Larson correspondence, 1920-1994. 10. Clinton F. Larson biographical file, 1919-1994. 11. Clinton F. Larson scrapbook and photographs. 12. Clinton F. Larson student theses, 1959-1985. 13. The works of Clinton F. Larson, 1985. 14. Clinton F. Larson annotated library books, 1895-1988.

Custodial History note

Donated by Clinton F. Larson's daughter, Diane Larson Porter on February 29, 2008.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Diane Larson Porter; 2008.

Appraisal note

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts, 2007).

Processing Information note

Processed; Billy Plunkett, former University Photo Archivist and John Murphy, Curator of 20th Western & Mormon Manuscripts; 2006.

  • Books on a variety of subjects. A detailed spreadsheet remains with the collection.
Title
Register of Clinton F. Larson papers
Author
Billy Plunkett and John Murphy
Date
2010 February 01
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States