THE PAPERS OF JOSEPH LANGLAND (1917- )

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Thomas Langland, a nationally known American poet, was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota on February 16, 1917. Langland’s parents, Charles M. Langland and Clara Elizabeth (Hille), raised him and his eight siblings in northeastern Iowa on the family’s general farm which had been homesteaded by his grandfather in 1877. Langland attended rural schools, Santa Ana College of California and the University of Iowa. In 1940, Langland was awarded his BA from the University of Iowa; a year later the same institute presented him with his MA.

Joseph Langland married Judith Gail Wood on June 26, 1943. The couple had three children: Joseph Thomas Jr., 1946; Elizabeth (Buffy) (Hassan) Langland, 1948; and Paul, 1951.

Joseph Langland served in the U.S. Infantry for four years from 1942-1946. Two of these years were spent in Europe during WWII. He was near the Elbe River when Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death was announced, and in Weimar on V.E. Day. After the combat had ended Langland spent several months with the Military Government in Bavaria. Langland was with a detail who liberated the Concentration Camp at Buchenwald. It was during the war years that Langland published his first collections of poems; For Harold (1945) for his younger brother who was killed in action in the Philippines. While in the Army, Langland worked his way up from the rank of Private to Captain.

Joseph Langland spent 1941-1942 as an instructor of English at Dana College, Nebraska. From 1946-1948 he was a part-time instructor at the University of Iowa. Working as an assistant professor and later associate professor, Langland spent 1948-1959 at the University of Wyoming. He then moved to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he served as a faculty member from 1959-1979, Professor of English, 1964-1979 and Professor Emeritus 1979-present. While at U. Mass. Langland also served as the Director of the Masters of Fine Arts program in writing from 1964-1970, 1978-1979. Besides his normal teaching duties Langland traveled as a guest lecturer to the University of British Columbia, University of Washington, and San Francisco State University.

Joseph Langland is a distinguished, published poet and author. Published works include: Poems For Harold (1945), The Green Town (1956), The Wheel of Summer (1963) 2 nd edition (1966), An Interview and Fourteen Poems (1973), The Sacrifice Poems (1975), Any Body’s Song (National Poetry Series) (1980), A Dream of Love (A poem with etchings) (1986), Twelve Preludes and Postludes (1988), Selected Poems (1991) 2 nd edition (1992). Langland co-edited Poet’s Choice (1962), The Short Story (1956); and co-translated Poetry From the Russian Underground (1973). Joseph Langland was awarded the 1953-1954 Ford Fellowship in Humanities, Harvard-Columbia Universities; the Amy Lowell Poetry Fellowship in Poetry 1966-1967; the Melville Cane Prize-Poetry, Poetry Society of America 1964; and named a Living Art Treasure in Literature for the New England Arts Biennial 1985.

SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection is arranged into twelve series: Series I, Correspondence; Series II, Publications; Series III, Writings About Joseph Langland; Series IV, Personal Papers; Series V, Appearances; Series VI, Poetry Not by Joseph Langland; Series VII, Photography; Series VIII, Art; Series IX, Education; Class/School; Series X, Albums; Series XI, Indexes on Notecards; Series XII, Realia; and Series XIII, Audio Visual.

The first series, Correspondence, spans the years 1930-2003, and also contains some undated material. It includes letters to and from Joseph Langland, cards he received, as well as Business Correspondence with publishers and other poets, and letters of congratulation and appreciation from fans.

Series II contains items related to the numerous Publications (by Joseph Langland). This includes drafts of all of Joseph Langland’s poems including many first drafts. Manuscript copies of many of Langland’s books are also included. Some of these Manuscripts are made by Langland himself. This series also includes scores of all of Joseph Langland’s poems that have been set to music by either himself or other composers. Lastly, this series has copies of articles and critiques by Langland, interviews with him, and unfinished or unpublished works of his.

Closely related to Series II are the items in Series III: Writings About Joseph Langland. This series contains articles about Langland and his poetry as well as critiques of his work. Newspaper clippings relating to public appearances, family, his work, career, and involvement in WWII are all included in this series.

The fourth series, Personal Papers, contains a variety of papers related to Joseph Langland’s life and family. A collection of Biographical handouts provides a detailed look at his life and works. Property information for the Langland home at 16 Morgan Circle, Amherst, Mass. and for Joseph Langland Jr.’s home are included. Royalty statements and copyright/permission forms are included. Lastly, information pertaining to Judith Langland’s memorial service can be found here.

Series V, Appearances, covers the time that Joseph Langland was working as a professional poet. Flyers for Poetry Readings and Poetry tours are a prominent part of this collection. Besides this, though, are detailed records from various professional related trips around the country and world.

Poetry not by Joseph Langland can be found in Series VI. These are works that are meaningful to Joseph Langland either for subject matter or because of the author.

Series VII contains Photography, are a collection of images related to Joseph Langland and his life. Spanning topics of his childhood, family, and time in WWII are most of this collection. Portraits of Joseph Langland can also be found here. There are also a series of photographs taken at the 1974 class in poetry at ‘Wheel of Summer’ in Highlandville, IA.

A few Art items are located in Series VIII. These are slides of Judith Langland’s work. Half the images are part of her 1966 Masters Degree Project. The other half are other paintings by Judith Langland throughout the years.

Miscellaneous papers relating to Joseph Langland’s teaching career are in Series IX: Classes / Education. This includes syllabuses, assignment information, and instructor evaluation forms for the time Joseph Langland spent teaching in Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and elsewhere.

The next series in the collection, Series X, contains four Albums pertaining to Joseph Langland. These books are made by Langland to collect some news clippings and other items relating to various works and family events/locations.

Series XI is three sets of Indexes. These indexes contain information on poets, poets and the poems they wrote, and poems and where they were published.

Series XII contains Realia or memorabilia relating to the Langland family. Diplomas of Joseph and Judith Langland can be found here, as well as an Alumni Achievement Award plaque presented to Joseph Langland in 1971. Langland’s WWII pocket New Testament is also here. Three U.S. passports belonging to Langland are here as well. A collection of homemade birch paper is present. Two reindeer antlers are found, as is a large chalk portrait and oversized score to “Haruspicating on Valley View Farm.”

Lastly, in series XIII, Audio Visual items can be found. These include records, reel-to-reel, cassette tapes, and CDs of Langland’s poetry readings. VHS tapes are also present documenting poetry readings, and TV specials of areas of interest to Joseph Langland.

PROVENANCE AND DONOR

The collection was collected and maintained by Joseph Langland. Materials were donated to the Luther College Archives by Joseph Langland.

A Box Inventory is attached.

RG15

Papers of Joseph Langland

8.8 Cubic Feet

Box 1, 0.2 c.f.

Series I: Correspondence, 1930-1959

Folder 1: 1930 – April 1945

Folder 2: May 1945 - 1949

Folder 3: 1950’s

Box 2, 0.4 c.f.

Series I: Correspondence, 1960 – 1964

Folder 1: 1960

Folder 2: 1961

Folder 3: 1962

Folder 4: January – June 1963

Folder 5: July – December 1963

Folder 6: 1964

Box 3, 0.4 c.f.

Series I: Correspondence, 1965 – 1969

Folder 1: 1965

Folder 2: 1966

Folder 3: 1967

Folder 4: 1968

Folder 5: 1969

Box 4, 0.4 c.f.

Series I: Correspondence, 1970’s

Folder 1: 1970

Folder 2: 1971

Folder 3: 1972

Folder 4: 1973 – 1974

Folder 5: 1975 – 1979

Box 5, 0.4 c.f.

Series I: Correspondence, 1980 – Present, N.D.

Folder 1: 1980 – 1984

Folder 2: 1985 – 1989

Folder 3: 1990 – 1994

Folder 4: 1995 – 1999

Folder 5: 2000 – 2004

Folder 6: N.D.

Folder 7: Unsent Postcards

Box 6, 0.4 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Poems

Folder 1: A - G

Folder 2: H - P

Folder 3: Q - Z

Folder 4: Untitled

Folder 5: First Drafts

Folder 6: Poetry From the Russian Underground

Box 7, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

Folder 1: “Anybody’s Song”

Box 8, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

Folder 1: “Contemporary Poems in English; 1945 – Present”

Box 9, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

Folder 1: “Hans”

Folder 2: “Poems From the Russian Underground

Box 10, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

Folder 1: “Selected Poems: Second Draft”

Folder 2: “Selected Poems: Final Draft”

Folder 3: “Songs, Lyrics and Half Songs”

Box 11, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

Folder 1: “Wheel of Summer”

Folder 2: “Untitled”

Box 12, 0.4 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Manuscripts

4 Untitled, bound manuscripts

Box 13, 0.2 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., Music Scores

Folder 1: “All the Lovers You Ever Knew” – Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 2: “The Amalfi Grotto” – Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 3: “Ballad in a Summer Season” – Gerald Ginsburg / J. Langland

Folder 4: “Barcarole for Shira” – Robert Stern / J. Langland

Folder 5: “Buchenwald, Near Weimar” – Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 6: “Come Up From the Valley, Children” – Morton Gould / J. Langland

Folder 7: “The Fallen Snow” – Danby L. M. / J. Langland

Folder 8: “Four Songs By Joseph Langland” – Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 9: “The Friendly Beasts” – J. Langland

Folder 10: “A Hiroshima Lullaby” – Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 11: “Hello Song” – Morton Gould / J. Langland

Folder 12: “In the Shell of the Ear” – Charles Bestor / J. Langland

Folder 13: “Loveliest of Trees” – A. E. Housman / J. Langland

Folder 14: “Morning, Noon, Evening” – Philip Berganson / J. Langland

Folder 15: “Recollections of Octobers” – Charles Smith / J. Langland

Folder 16: “The Seafarer” – Robert Stern / J. Langland

Folder 17: “Seven Song Settings” – Gerald Ginsburg, Patricia King / J. Langland

Folder 18: “Song at Evening” – Gerald Ginsburg / J. Langland

Folder 19: “War”- Gerhard Krapf / J. Langland

Box 14, 0.4 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L., “Poets’ Choice”

Folder 1: Permission Lists – Contributors

Folder 2: “Poets’ Choice” Biographies

Folder 3: Preface Drafts

Folder 4: “Poets’ Choice” Bills/Expenses

Folder 5: “Poets’ Choice” TIME Reading Program

Folder 6: “Poets’ Choice”

Folder 7: Poets Correspondence on “Poets’ Choice” Project

Folder 8: “Poets Choice” Royalties and Contracts

Box 15, 0.4 c.f.

Series II: Publications by J.L

Folder 1: “Russian Underground Poetry” – Dial Press

Folder 2: “Wheel of Summer”

Folder 3: “Kent State Memorial Poem”

Folder 4: “The Wheel of Summer” Royalties/Contracts

Folder 5: Holt, Rinehart, Winston Correspondence

Folder 6: Memoir, University of Iowa

Folder 7: Adlai Stevenson – Stone Wall Press

Folder 8: “Anthology” – Holt, Reinhart, Winston

Folder 9: Critiques

Folder 10: The Sacrifice Poems

Folder 11: Writings on William Butler Yeats

Folder 12: Articles on Poetry by J.L. / Interviews w/ J.L.

Series III: Writings About J.L.

Folder 13: Chicago Review “Poems and Mirrors” by: Ralph J. Mills Jr.

Folder 14: Comments on the poetry of J.L. / Reviews

Folder 15: “The Writers Directory” – St. James Press

Folder 16: Poetry Reviews

Folder 17: “Who’s Who in the East”

Box 16, 0.2 c.f.

Series III: Writings About J.L., Publicity

Folder 1: Appearances

Folder 2: Family / Personal Life

Folder 3: Misc.

Folder 4: Reviews of J.L.’s Work

Folder 5: Interviews / Articles by J.L.

Folder 6: Teaching Career

Folder 7: WWII Newspaper Clippings

Folder 8: “Poets’ Choice” Press Clippings Album

Box 17, 0.2 c.f.

Series IV: Personal Papers

Folder 1: Biographical

Folder 2: Judith Langland Memorial Service

Folder 3: Waverly Theft records

Folder 4: Property Information, Joseph Langland Jr. (Joey

Folder 5: Joseph Langland Jr. (Joey) College Information

Folder 6: Rental Lease – 16 Morgan Circle, Amherst, Mass.

Folder 7: Royalty Statements

Folder 8: Charles Scribner’s Sons and other publishers – Copyrights/Permissions

Box 18, 0.4 c.f.

Series V: Appearances

Folder 1: Norway/Lapp Trip

Folder 2: 1983 China Trip

Folder 3: 1975 Amherst Humanities Panel/ Arts Council

Folder 4: May 18-19, 1974 – Luther College Commencement

Folder 5: Feb. 13, 1971 – School College Conference on English – Barnard, NYC

Folder 6: Jan. 18, 1960 – Library of Congress Recording Laboratory

Folder 7: 1971 Florida Poetry Trip

Folder 8: March 1-12, 1972; 1977 West Coast Poetry Trip

Folder 9: Poetry Society of America

Folder 10: Recordings/Broadcasts

Folder 11: Wyoming Fine Arts Festival

Folder 12: Poetry Tours / Business Info.

Folder 13: Poetry Readings

Folder 14: 1970 March Moratorium Poetry Festival

Box 19, 0.2 c.f.

Series VI: Poetry (Not by J.L.)

Folder 1: Seven Poems by Jon Klimo

Folder 2: John Linthicum

Folder 3: Mohmoud Darweesh

Folder 4: Dmitry Bobyshev

Folder 5: Mya Angelou

Folder 6: Ann Stanford

Box 20, 0.2 c.f.

Series VII: Photography

Folder 1: Portraits

Folder 2: WWII

Folder 3: Misc.

Folder 4: Childhood

Folder 5: Summer 1974, Class in Poetry at Wheel of Summer, Highlandville, IA

Folder 6: Family

Series VIII: Art

Folder 7: 1966 Judith Langland Masters Project

Folder 8: Paintings of Judith Langland

Box 21, 0.4 c.f.

Series IX: Education – Classes/School

Folder 1: MFA Students

Folder 2: Creative Writing 202-203

Folder 3: Fall 1964, English 413; University of Washington

Folder 4: Misc. University of Mass. Amherst

Folder 5: 1969, Oregon University

Folder 6: Wyoming Conference on English, University of Wyoming

Folder 7: Summer Academy of Contemporary Arts

Folder 8: Faculty Reports on J.L

Folder 9: Lecture Notes

Folder 10: Student Evaluations of J.L. classes

Folder 11: English 267

Folder 12: English 211

Box 22, 0.2 c.f.

Series X: Albums

Folder 1: Langland Country

Folder 2: 1960s

Box 23, 0.2 c.f.

Series X: Albums

Folder 1: Poetry

Folder 2: Poetry

Box 24, 0.4 c.f.

Series XI: Indexes on notecards

Index 1: Poets

Index 2: Poets/Poems

Index 3: Poems and Publications

Box 25, 1.0 c.f.

Series XII: Realia

Diploma: State University of Iowa; B.A. Joseph Langland

Diploma: State University of Iowa; M.A. Joseph Langland

Diploma: University of Massachusetts; M.A. Judith Langland

Alumni Achievement Award Plaque: Santa Ana College; Joseph Langland, 1971

New Testament; WWII, Joseph Langland

Three U.S. Passports issued to Joseph Langland

1955

1966

1968

Homemade Birch “paper”

Chalk Portrait

Score Haruspicating on Valley View Farm

Box 26, 0.4 c.f.

Series XII: Realia

Reindeer Antlers

Box 27, 0.4 c.f.

Series XIII: Audio Visual

Record Today’s Poets: Their Poems – Their Voices: Donald Hall, Louis Simpson, Joseph Langland, Robert Francis

Record Joe Langland Singing Popular Ballads

Reel-to-Reel Original Songs by J. Langland: 1981 – Autumn, Summer

Reel-to-Reel Writings from Nature, 1985

Reel-to-Reel Untitled

Cassette Joseph Langland at the Joves Library on Frost; 1-8-98

Cassette Joe Langland: Ballads, Decorah, Summer 2000

Cassette Joseph Langland Poetry Reading; Horse Poems

CD In the Shell of the Ear

CD Joseph Langland: A Dream of Love and My Own Country

VHS Iowa State Wrestling / Living In Iowa

VHS Delafield

VHS In Search of Wild Horses

VHS Dad and Frost

VHS Joseph Langland Poetry Reading; 11-6-03

VHS Joseph Langland: Norwegian Rivers

VHS Delafield

VHS Fathers and Sons

VHS Getting Ready to Really Leave

VHS Paul and Joseph: Getting Ready to Really Leave