Lois Snyder Hennesy papers about Gary Snyder

Collection

Identifier: SnyderHennesyL-RSCA-ORPR-US

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These papers consist of letters, photographs, clippings and poems which detail the life of Gary Snyder, his wife and children, as collected (and partially annotated) by his mother, Lois Snyder Hennessy. Also included are selected Gary Snyder publications, photographs and correspondence acquired at later dates by Reed College, including the photographs taken by Carol Baker and copies of correspondence from Snyder to Bob Ross '61.

Dates

Creation: 1964 - 2006

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Lois Snyder Hennessy was born in Washington State. She married Harold Snyder. They had two children, one of whom, Gary Snyder, was born on May 8, 1930 in San Francisco, California.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Gary Snyder (1930-) graduated from Reed College in 1951 along with Phil Whalen ('51) and Lew Welch ('50) who all became well-known "Beat Poets". Snyder studied Chinese and Japanese languages at Berkeley, worked for 8 years as a forest lookout, trail crewman, logger, and seaman, and lived in Japan for almost a decade between 1956 and 1968, marrying there while studying Zen Buddhist texts and Far Eastern culture. Author of many books of poetry and prose, he has taught at the University of California, Davis, since 1985. The collection, given by his mother, Lois Snyder Hennessey, contains correspondence to his mother along with a few photographs, clippings, and other biographical materials.

Physical Location

Archives Main Shelving (L014), Range F Section 6.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Lois Snyder Hennessy Papers were given outright to the Reed College Library by Lois Snyder Hennessy from 1969 through 1975. The Carol Baker photographs have been added by purchase, and the photographs from Bob Ross ’61, were given outright.