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Cyrus Colter (1910-2002) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 11/3/1/2

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

This series fills five archival boxes and spans the years 1935 to 1995. It consists of biographical material, correspondence, speeches, and publications.

The biographical material is comprised primarily of awards and honors bestowed upon Colter during his distinguished career, and clippings concerning Colter and his publications.

The correspondence is divided into two categories: general correspondence, arranged chronologically, and subject correspondence, arranged alphabetically by folder title. The majority, is subject correspondence, between Colter and his two publishers, Ohio University Press and Thunder Mouth Press.

The bulk of the collection consists of drafts of Colter's publications, especially his two last novels, A Chocolate Soldier and City of Lights.

Addition, Box 5 The addition consists of one folder of photocopies from literary journals dating between 1960 and 1987. Most of the items photocopied are short stories by Cyrus Colter as they were originally published; there are also reviews by Colter or of his work, and interviews with Colter. The photocopies are arranged chronologically, and the citation for each is typed on the first page. The addition includes a University of Iowa Press pamphlet containing "A Gift," a selection from "The Beach Umbrella," the collection of Colter's stories which won the Iowa School of Letters prize in 1970.

Dates

  • 1935-1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

5.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The papers of Cyrus Colter (writer and educator; member of the faculty of Northwestern University's Department of African-American Studies) spans the years 1935 to 1995. It consists of biographical material, correspondence, speeches, and publications. The bulk of the collection consists of drafts of Colter's publications, especially his two last novels, A Chocolate Soldier and City of Lights.

Arrangement

The papers of Cyrus Colter consist of biographical material, correspondence (general correspondence, arranged chronologically; subject correspondence, arranged alphabetically), speeches, and publications (arranged by type, then alphabetically).

Method of Acquisition

These papers were donated on November 11, 1997 as Accession #97-200 by Cyrus Colter via Howard M. (Scott) McHugh.

Separated Materials

Four oversized diplomas were separated and placed in the Northwestern University archives map case (see attached list). Some awards have been separated and placed in the Northwestern University Archives artifact collection (see list). Photographs were separated and placed in the Northwestern University photographic files. A small quantity of duplicate materials was discarded.

DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES

The following diplomas and certificates have been separated from this series and added to the University Archives' diploma collection:

Colter, Cyrus J.; Indiana Common Schools, Certificate of Proficiency; June 18, 1924 Colter, Cyrus J.; Haven School, Youngstown, Ohio, Diploma; June 15, 1928 Colter, Cyrus James.; Chicago-Kent College of Law, Bachelor of Laws Diploma; February 5, 1940. Colter, Cyrus James; State of Illinois Supreme Court, License to Practice as an Attorney and Counselor at Law; June 13, 1940.

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ARTIFACTS

The following artifacts have been separated from this series and added to the University Archives' artifacts collection

Plaque: For Members Only (Northwestern University African-American student association): From / F.M.O. / to / Cyrus Colder / Dedication & Service / to Black Students / 1978

Medal: The Cliff Dwellers (Chicago): The Cliff Dwellers / Merit Award: Honoring / Cyrus J. Colter / for Distinguished Service / to the Arts in Chicago / in Recognition of His / Creative Achievement / as a Writer / MXCLXX [1970]

Plaque: Illinois Commerce Commission: A Tribute to / Cyrus J. Colter / Commissioner / 1950-1973 / Illinois Commerce Commission / For over two decades you have enriched / the lives of the people of Illinois by your / dedication to the highest principles of public / service and trust. // In appreciation therefore, and on behalf / of all the people of Illinois we gratefully / present this tribute. / Marvin S. Lieberman / Chairman // Dan Walker / Governor

Plaque: African-American Alliance: Outstanding Service to the / African-American Community / Cyrus Colter / African-American Alliance

Trophy (glass): Illinois Humanities Council: 1989 / Illinois Humanities Council / Public Humanities Award / Cyrus Colter

Plaque: United States Equal Opportunity Commission: Cyrus Colter / In Grateful Recognition / Of Your / Outstanding Contribution / In The Pursuit Of Excellence / United States / Equal Employment Opportunity Commission / Black History Month / February, 1984

Plaque: Chicago Public Library: Living African American / Heritage Award / Presented To / Cyrus Colter / In recognition of your contributions to / African American literature and history during / your multi-faceted career as an attorney, / university professor, and noted author. / Chicago Public Library / African American History Month / February 1996

Processing Information

Alex Strauss, February, 1998.

Title
Guide to the Cyrus Colter (1910-2002) Papers
Author
Alex Strauss
Date
01/02/1998
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635