James T. Farrell Papers Ms
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James T. Farrell papers Ms. Coll. 886 Finding aid prepared by Alexis Morris. Last updated on October 17, 2017. University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts 2017 May 1 James T. Farrell papers Table of Contents Summary Information....................................................................................................................................3 Biography/History..........................................................................................................................................4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 6 Administrative Information........................................................................................................................... 8 Related Materials........................................................................................................................................... 9 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................9 Collection Inventory.................................................................................................................................... 10 I. Correspondence.................................................................................................................................. 10 II. Diaries and personal writings.........................................................................................................471 III. Manuscripts....................................................................................................................................471 IV. Memorabilia and ephemera...........................................................................................................471 V. Photographs.....................................................................................................................................471 - Page 2 - James T. Farrell papers Summary Information Repository University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts Creator Farrell, James T. (James Thomas), 1904-1979 Title James T. Farrell papers Call number Ms. Coll. 886 Date [inclusive] 1916-1983 Extent 800 linear feet Language English Abstract Born to a working class family in Chicago, James T. Farrell (1904-1979) rose quickly to be a leading figure for 20th century naturalism in American literature. An exceptionally prolific writer, Farrell published works spanning over five decades; however, his critics expressed that his output led to poor craftsmanship and editorial discretion throughout his later works. In addition to his professional works, Farrell produced a seemingly inexhaustible amount of correspondence, diaries, articles, and musings which covered a wide range of topics from politics to baseball. The currently available portion of this collection consists of over one hundred linear feet of personal and professional correspondence. Having kept many copies of his own drafts and letters as well, the correspondence provides a nearly complete view into Farrell’s conversations with publishers, politicians, family, fans and critics. Perhaps most importantly, this collection represents Farrell's legacy — an insatiable writer who fought to leave his mark on the world. - Page 3 - James T. Farrell papers Cite as: James T. Farrell papers, 1916-1983 , Ms. Coll. 886, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania Biography/History A second generation Irish-Catholic, James T. Farrell (1904-1979) was born to a struggling working class family in Chicago. As a young boy he was sent away to live with his grandparents to a different neighborhood in Chicago which, coupled with his parochial school education, set the tone for his writings throughout his lifetime. After enrolling in 1925 at the University of Chicago for pre-law, Farrell quickly showed a keen interest for the social sciences. However, by 1927 he decided it was his calling to be a fiction writer, drawing off of his experiences and newly formed social attitudes emulating John Dewey, Theodore Dreiser, and Leon Trotsky. Best known for his Studs Lonigan trilogy, a series of novels published between 1932 and 1935, Farrell portrays the life of a young Irish Catholic man growing up on the streets of Chicago. Brutally realistic, the Lonigan series is revered by many historians and sociologists as one of the most accurate portrayals of everyday life for urban Irish Catholics for the time period. Despite publishing over fifty works— in addition to other forms of writing—Farrell's acclaim never could grow past the shadow of Studs Lonigan. Farrell himself was not shy in stating his displeasure about this matter, especially as he aged, frequently complaining or lobbying to any sympathetic ear or unsuspecting correspondent. Novelist Sloan Wilson recalled Farrell as "A lion at bay, roaring defiance at publishers and editors," (Landers, A Lion at Bay, page 14). Despite his struggles—both real and perceived—Farrell continued to produce an unprecedented amount of writing, as an author as well as a correspondent and philosopher. His biographer Robert K. Landers describes Farrell as, "a writer not by nature but by force of will, and what a mighty will it must have been for the words poured forth almost without stop," (Landers, A Lion at Bay, page 15). In addition to writing, Farrell was extremely engaged in politics and social activism as a member of the Socialist Workers Party (subsequently split to the Workers Party), as well as the American Committee for Cultural Freedom. Well after withdrawing from active participation, Farrell remained extremely lively in championing social causes which he demonstrated through personal correspondence and less formal writings. Furthermore, Farrell maintained an undying passion for the game of baseball throughout his life. In 1957 he published a collection of writings, My Baseball Diary, which was one of two baseball related books he agreed to write, however the second would not be published until well after his death. Throughout Farrell’s tumultuous life, his obsession with baseball always seemed to bring out the best in his personality, even while his obsession with writing often seemingly ran him to the brink of disaster. - Page 4 - James T. Farrell papers Farrell’s personal life at times was turbulent. He was married three times and divorced twice, while infidelity was rampant throughout. His first (and third) wife, Dorothy Butler Farrell was a University of Chicago student at the time of their meeting in 1928. In April of 1931 they were secretly married, immediately setting off on a ship for a year in Paris, France. In November their son Sean was born, however after only four days the new parents received news that their son had passed away in the hospital (Landers, An Honest Writer, 104). Separation due to Dorothy’s employment eventually led its way to infidelity, and in 1935 Farrell would meet his second wife, Hortense Alden, a Broadway actress. In June of 1940, Farrell and Dorothy were officially divorced, and several months later Hortense gave birth to their first son, Kevin. In January of 1941 they were married (Landers, An Honest Writer, 237). The autumn of 1947 brought their second son, John Steven, who Farrell noted in his diary, "The little boy was born with club feet, but it is correctable," (Landers, An Honest Writer, 293). As time went on, John Steven showed severe signs of mental retardation and by 1949 was sent to Letchworth Village residential institution. He passed away in 1994, having never seen his parents again after that day in 1949, not even remembered in either parent's obituaries. After John Steven’s departure, Farrell's relationship with Kevin developed in more of a friendship than parental relationship. Hortense took great exception to this and while struggling with her own bouts of mental illness, an extremely volatile household developed. In January of 1951, Kevin was sent away to boarding school in Massachusetts. Shortly after, Farrell and Hortense divorced (Landers, An Honest Writer, 319). By 1955, Dorothy Butler had moved back to New York for business, and quickly Farrell inquired to meet with her. "He was after me all the time, he’d call me every day at my job, my new job. And I said, 'James, I’m not going out with you unless I’m married to you. That’s all.' So he said, 'Then, we’ll get married,'" (Landers, An Honest Writer, 344). In September of that year, they were remarried. Financial hardship and accused infidelity on Dorothy’s part with jazz violinist Leroy "Stuff" Smith, led to another separation in 1958—although they would never officially divorce. Two years later he would meet his secretary and final life partner Cleo Paturis, with whom he remained until his death on August 22, 1979. A prolific writer, a fierce political activist, a fanatic of baseball—the legacy of James T. Farrell can be interpreted through many lenses, each giving a glimpse to the man of many faces. Despite Studs Lonigan being listed 29th on Modern Library’s "100 Best Novels of the 20th Century" list, Farrell continues to be relatively unknown and unappreciated as an American fiction writer ( Modern Library). Landers notes, "Despite the flurry of interest in his Centennial year, he is still a largely forgotten writer today, with even his best-known work,