David Meltzer Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-MS-ms081

Staff Only

The David Meltzer Papers consists of correspondence to and from Robert Hawley which provide an interesting insight into Oyez Press and its production of some of Meltzer's books as well as a number of letter to American bookseller Henry Wenning.

In addition to writing numerous collections of poetry, Meltzer has edited a number of anthologies and the significant collection of interviews including, The San Francisco Poets (1971). The book consists of interviews, poetry, and bibliographies of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Rexroth, Lew Welch, Michael McClure, Richard Brautigan, and William Everson. Material toward this collection, including correspondence, manuscripts, editorial material and the interview audiotapes.

Also included in the Meltzer Papers are manuscripts and editorial matter toward several of Meltzer's other publications including Yesod (1969), Letters and Numbers (1970), Luna (1970), as well as various Meltzer essays and columns for the Los Angles Free Press.

Finally, the Meltzer Papers include drafts, galleys, and other material toward Rock Tao, Meltzer's personal reflection upon rock music of the sixties. Due to the number of copyright permissions for song lyrics, Rock Tao was never published.

Dates

Creation: 1955-1973

Creator

Meltzer, David (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

7.00 boxes

Additional Description

Biographical Information

David Meltzer (February 17, 1937 - December 31, 2016) was an American poet and musician. One of the key poets of the Beat generation and the San Francisco Renaissance, Meltzer was also a jazz guitarist, Cabalist scholar, and the author of more than 50 books of poetry and prose.

Born in Rochester, New York, Meltzer’s family moved to Brooklyn in 1940. At the age of 11, Meltzer wrote his first poem, on the topic of the New York City subway system. He performed on radio and TV in The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour. After his parents separated, Meltzer accompanied his father to Los Angeles in 1954. In 1957, he moved to San Francisco and became part of a circle of writers based around Jack Spicer and Robert Duncan.

An integral figure in the California small press scene of the 1960's and 1970's, Meltzer has published most of his books through small presses such as City Lights, Unicorn Press, and Robert Hawley's Oyez Press. He came to prominence with the inclusion of his work in the anthology, The New American Poetry 1945-1960.

In 1958, he recorded an album of his poems with a jazz combo for Jim Dickson on Dickson's Vaja label. The album was not released until 2006 on Sierra Records titled "David Meltzer: Poet with Jazz 1958." He also taught at the New College of California in the Poetics Program, which was originally founded by Robert Duncan.