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David D. Anderson papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA-17.336

Scope and Content

The papers of David D. Anderson primarily reflect his work as an author. His materials are organized into 6 series. The Biographical/Personal section contains information about his awards and honors, Patricia Anderson (his wife), and journalist Terry Anderson (cousin) who made national headlines when he was taken hostage in Beruit, Lebanon in 1985. The Correspondence section contains letter to publishers and other authors. The bulk of Anderson's collection is contained in the Literary Works section which contains drafts, manuscripts, galley proofs, and final versions of articles and books he wrote. There is a small amount of material relating to Michigan State University. Of particular note are the interviews he gave about the history of the University College, the English Department, and the American Thought and Language Department.

Dates

  • Creation: 1951 - 2010

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical/Historical

David D. Anderson was a Michigan State University faculty member from 1956 until his retirement in 1994. Anderson was born in Lorain, Ohio. He received a B.S. (1951) and a M.A. (1952) from Bowling Green State University. His Ph. D. in American Literature (1960) was earned at Michigan State University. After teaching in the United States Army, he taught at the General Motors Institute (Kettering Institute), and then joined the MSU English Department faculty in 1956. A year later he transferred to MSU's newly formed Department of American Thought and Language (ATL). Anderson also served as the Assistant Dean for Lifelong and Continuing Education in the University College. He retired from the ATL Department in 1994 with the rank of distinguished professor emeritus. In 1963-1964, he was a Fulbright Lecturer in American Literature at the University of Karachi, Pakistan. Throughout his career he traveled and lectured in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Anderson's primary scholarship was about Ohio and Midwestern literature. He was a recognized authority on the author Sherwood Anderson (no relation). Anderson was a founder of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature and was an active member of the Modern American Literature of the Modern Language Association. He published 37 books and countless articles and other creative works.

David D. Anderson died December 3, 2011.

Extent

17.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Organized into six series. 1. Biographical/Personal. 2. Correspondence. 3. Literary Works. 4. College Work and Papers. 5. Events/Presentations. 6. Faculty Papers.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University.

Property Rights: Michigan State University.

General Note

The accession of David D. Anderson papers also contained 7 cubic feet of papers from William Burl Thomas. Anderson was the "literary executor" of these papers. Anderson and Thomas were colleagues where they first met at the General Motors Institute (Kettering Institute) in the 1950s. Thomas was briefly a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University. Part of Thomas' original papers that were owned by Anderson were transferred to Bowling Green State University, Center for Archival Collections (MS 1131). The remainder were maintained along with Anderson's own papers until all remaining materials were donated to MSU Archives. The material from William B. Thomas is not listed in this finding aid. For access to this material, contact the University Archives.

Title
David D. Anderson Papers
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Author
Vindischman, T., Miller, W.
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330