Joy Davidman Papers
Scope and Contents
There are six series in the Joy Davidman Papers: Correspondence, Miscellanea and Notes, Personal Papers, Poetry, Prose, and Publications.
Correspondence: Includes letters with Joy and Bill Gresham, David and Douglas Gresham, friends of Douglas Gresham, Bill and Laura Benét, Marion MacDowell, and others. Arranged alphabetically by last name, and then by date. Folders 6-8 were originally with the William Lindsay Gresham Correspondence collection (acq. 82/18), and were sent to Doug Gresham who then deposited them here with the Davidman Papers.
Miscellanea and Notes: Handwritten and typed notes by Davidman on various topics, a few items relating to her sons and husbands, and a blank notebook.
Personal Papers: Contains certificates, publishing contracts, diplomas, and official papers on Davidman’s British citizenship, as well as divorce proceedings between Joy and her first husband Bill, book royalty and tax statements, and other financial documents.
Poetry: A variety of poetry written over a broad span of years, primarily typescripts by Davidman, arranged alphabetically by poem title. One original folder of poems was titled “Courage,” and these were kept separate from the other poetry along with the original folder, arranged by title. Many poems contain multiple drafts or carbon copies and were separated from their second pages and additional stanzas in the original order of the papers. The processor attempted to match pages together when possible, but a number of poetry fragments remain.
Prose: Typescripts of short stories and additional prose works primarily by Davidman, arranged alphabetically by title. Some prose has multiple copies, and again the processor attempted to match fragments and complete works where possible.
Publications: A handful of published works by Joy Davidman from periodicals.
Dates
- Created: 1926-1964
Creator
- Davidman, Helen Joy. (Person)
Conditions Governing Use
Reproductions or publication of content by Joy Davidman require permissions from the Gresham family via the C.S. Lewis Company. Reproductions or publication of content by C.S. Lewis require permissions from the C.S. Lewis Company. See additional note in fol. 17.
Extent
1.00 box : 75 Folders
1 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains correspondence, personal papers, and poetry and prose written by Joy Davidman. A few documents also relate to her first husband Bill Gresham, her sons David and Douglas Gresham, and her second husband C.S. Lewis. These materials are on deposit as an extended loan courtesy of Douglas Gresham.
Source of Acquisition
10/87
Separated Materials
Two original diplomas (elementary school and Hunter College) from folder 15 are stored in the artwork storage cabinet in Fragile Storage.
Other Descriptive Information
There is a research copy of this collection. There is an acquisition file for this collection.
Processing Information
Processed by Laura Schmidt
Creator
- Davidman, Helen Joy. (Person)
- Title
- Joy Davidman Papers
- Author
- Laura Schmidt
- Date
- 01/24/2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Marion E. Wade Center Repository