Michael Castro Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-MS-ms151

Staff Only

The Michael Castro Papers consists of books (estimated 170 volumes) by mostly St. Louis area authors, journals and little magazines, cassette tapes and CD's (estimated 400 items) largely of poetry readings, often by their authors. Also includes are materials from Castro's editorial work and own literary career, ephemeral items including advertisements and posters for local literary events, correspondence including Ira Cohen, John Brandi, Maurice Kenney, Phil Sultz, and Madeline Morningstar Myers. The majority of the correspondence concerns Castro's "Poetry Beat" program including Allen Ginsberg, Jerome Rothenberg, Robert Creeley, Gary Snyder, etc.

Dates

Creation: 1964-2014

Creator

Castro, Michael, 1945- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.

Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.

If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Extent

19.00 boxes

Additional Description

Biographical Information

Michael Castro (1945-2018) was a poet, arts activist, and educator. He had a Ph.D. in American Literature from Washington University, and taught at the University of Missouri St. Louis (1971-79) and Lindenwood University (1980-2012), from which he retired as Professor Emeritus of Communications. He published eight books and five CD;s of his own poetry with musical setting; and four books of translations of modern Hungarian poetry with Gabor G. Gyukics. In 1975 he co-founded the literary organization and magazine, River Styx, which pioneered literary mullti-culturalism and has been in continuous operation since then. He hosted three literary radio programs over the years: River Styx Poets (KDNA St. Louis 1970-73), Ars Poetica (KWMU St. Louis 1975-78), Poetry Beat (KDHX St. Louis 1989-2003). He was the author of Interpreting the Indian: 20th Century Poets and the Native American University of New Mexico Press (1984), University of Oklahoma Press paperback (1991), a historical and critical study of modern poets influenced by Native American cultures, which has been called "essential reading for anyone interested in Native American literature." He was the recipient of two awards for lifetime achievement: The Guardian Angel of St. Louis Poetry award from River Styx, and the Warrior Poet Award from Word in Motion.

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