Allen, Donald, 1912-2004

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Editor and publisher.

From the description of Papers, 1957-1971. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 28415680

American editor and publisher, born in Iowa in 1912. Allen was an editor at Grove Press for sixteen years, where his most important work was the anthology The New American Poetry. He founded the Four Seasons Foundation and Grey Fox Press. Allen also was the translator of works of Eugène Ionesco. Allen has had a significant impact on the development of post-World War II American poetry through publication of landmark anthologies and the works of numerous neglected poets.

From the description of Donald Allen collection, 1930-2005. (University of California, San Diego). WorldCat record id: 18929159

American editor and publisher. Corman is an American poet and editor.

From the description of [Letter] 1964 January 7, San Francisco [to] Cid Corman, Kyoto, Japan / Donald Allen. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 18506185

From the description of [Letter] 1964 April 7, San Francisco [to] Cid Corman, Kyoto, Japan / Donald Allen. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 18506099

Notes from Donald Allen: "In the mid-1960s Robin Blaser and I worked to prepare a large anthology of the San Francisco Renaissance writers... Most of our tentative selections were poems, of course, but we also planned to include prose work by Jim Herndon, Richard Brautigan and Jack Kerouac. Then events intervened; Jack Spicer died soon after the Berkeley Poetry Conference in 1965, Robin moved to Vancouver for a post at Simon Fraser University, and I became more involved with work for Grove Press and in setting up my own small publishing company. Work on our anthology was suspended, as it turned out, for good."

From the description of Unpublished anthology of the San Francisco Renaissance, ca. 1965. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122553412

Biography

Donald Allen, one of the most influential editors and publishers of contemporary American literature, was born in Iowa in 1912. During the Second World War he was a Japanese translator, and then became an editor at Grove Press, where he stayed for sixteen years. Allen devoted his career to making innovative writing available to the public. He has edited several important anthologies of contemporary American writing and has published the work of many important poets through his two presses.

Allen's editorial career began in the mid fifties when he accepted a position with Grove Press. One of his early projects was a collection of work by Brother Antoninus (William Everson), Robert Duncan, Kenneth Rexroth, Gary Snyder, Jack Spicer, and other poets of the San Francisco Renaissance, for an issue of Grove's Evergreen Review (1957). He also aided in editing "The Eye of Mexico," an Evergreen issue devoted to contemporary Mexican writing and culture. During these first years at Grove Allen translated several of Eugene Ionesco's theatre works, including The Bald Soprano (Grove, 1958), and edited books by Jack Kerouac, John Rechy, Lysander Kemp, and others.

In 1958, Allen began work on his most important project at Grove, The New American Poetry anthology. Following the Pound/Williams tradition, Allen hoped to present the range of experimental writing produced in the United States since the Second World War. The project took two years to complete and required extensive correspondence with poets, editors, and literary agents. Finally published in 1960, the anthology chronicled the emergence of the Beat, Black Mountain, and New York schools of poetry. It also increased recognition for such poets as Robert Duncan, Robert Creeley, Denise Levertov, Paul Blackburn, and Charles Olson. Allen originally planned to publish revised anthologies every two or three years. However, he produced only two such books over the next twenty years: New American Writing (Penguin, 1965), and The Postmoderns (Grove, 1965).

Other anthologies compiled by Allen are The New American Story (Grove, 1963), a collection of experimental prose, and The Poetics of the New American Poetry (Grove, 1973), a collection of aesthetic statements by many of the poets appearing in the anthologies. Like The New American Poetry, each of these collections has had a major impact on the shape and scope of experimental American writing. In 1963 Allen reduced his workload at Grove Press by moving to the position of consulting editor. He planned to start his own magazine of contemporary American writing, but the Four Seasons Quarterly never materialized. However, his work on the magazine did lead to the establishment of the Four Seasons Foundation and, subsequently, the Grey Fox Press. Under Allen's direction since 1964, both of these presses have published the work of such poets as Charles Olson, Gary Snyder, Michael McClure, Philip Whalen, Lew Welch and many others.

Donald Allen died August 29, 2004, in San Francisco, at the age of 92.

From the guide to the Donald Allen Collection, 1930-2005, (Mandeville Special Collections Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bronk, William. William Bronk papers, 1908-1999. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Cid Corman Papers., 1954-1989. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Phillips, Dennis. Papers, 1971-1998. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. Papers, 1957-1971. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Corman, Cid. Cid Corman papers, 1954-1989. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Aram Saroyan Papers., undated, 1950-1977. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Aldan, Daisy. Papers, 1946-1966. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Ann Charters Papers., 1966-1982. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Edward Dorn Papers University of Connecticut. Libraries
referencedIn Larry Fagin Papers., n.d., 1958-1977. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Snyder, Gary, 1930-. Papers, 1910-2003 1945-2002. University of California, Davis, Shields Library
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. Unpublished anthology of the San Francisco Renaissance, ca. 1965. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn William Corbett archive for "A History of New Directions", 1967-1998. Houghton Library
referencedIn Creeley, Robert, 1926-2005. Papers, 1951-1990. Washington University in St. Louis, .
referencedIn Chandler Brossard Papers, 1951-2002 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn V. R. Lang papers, 1929-1974 (inclusive) 1943-1959 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Seelye, Catherine M., 1926-1982. Catherine Seelye - Olson/Pound papers. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Cid Corman Papers., 1954-1989. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Kyger, Joanne. Joanne Kyger papers, 1950-2009. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Spicer, Jack. Jack Spicer papers, 1954-1964. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Jane Freilicher papers, 1945-1995. Houghton Library
referencedIn Daisy Aldan Papers TXRC94-A18., 1946-1966 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Joanne Kyger Papers, 1950-2009 Mandeville Special Collections Library
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. [Letter] 1964 January 7, San Francisco [to] Cid Corman, Kyoto, Japan / Donald Allen. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
creatorOf Donald Allen Collection, 1930-2005 Mandeville Special Collections Library
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. Donald Allen collection, 1930-2005. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Whalen, Philip. Philip Whalen letters : Santa Fe, N.M. to Donald Meeriam Allen, San Francisco, Calif., 1984-1987. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Blackburn, Paul. Papers, 1900-1971, bulk 1919-1971. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Paul Blackburn Papers, 1919 - 1971 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Oyez Press Records., 1963-1987. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn John Wieners Papers., 1958-1986. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Lew Welch Papers, 1943-1971 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Seelye, Catherine. Catherine Seelye papers, 1973-1978. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Rumaker, Michael, 1932-. Michael Rumaker papers, ca. 1957-1990. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
creatorOf O'Hara, Frank, 1926-1966. Poem, 1959. Middlebury College
referencedIn William Bronk Papers, 1908-1999. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Joe Brainard Letters, 1957-1994 Mandeville Special Collections Library
referencedIn Creeley, Robert, 1926-2005. Letters to Donald Allen, 1979-1994. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
creatorOf Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997. Composed on the tongue archive. 1977-1981. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997. Allen Ginsberg letter, 1981 July 27. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. [Letter] 1964 April 7, San Francisco [to] Cid Corman, Kyoto, Japan / Donald Allen. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Dennis Phillips Papers, 1971 - 1998 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Grove Press Records Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Nell Blaine papers Houghton Library
creatorOf Brainard, Joe, 1942-1994. Joe Brainard letters, 1957-1994. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Ellingham, Lewis. Poet, be like God, 1983-1987. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Welch, Lew. Papers, 1943-1971. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Joel Oppenheimer Papers, 1925-1988. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Gregory Corso letters and poems, 1956–1975 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
referencedIn Yaddo records, 1870-1980 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf O'Hara, Frank, 1926-1966. Office files of The American Poetry Review, 1977. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Diane Di Prima Papers, 1948-1971 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adam, Helen, 1909-1993. person
associatedWith Aldan, Daisy. person
associatedWith Aldan, Daisy, 1923- person
associatedWith Alexander, James. person
associatedWith Ashbery, John, person
associatedWith Baraka, Imamu Amiri, 1941- person
associatedWith Berkeley Poetry Conference. corporateBody
associatedWith Berkson, Bill. person
correspondedWith Blackburn, Paul person
associatedWith Blackburn, Paul. person
correspondedWith Blaine, Nell, 1922-1996 person
associatedWith Blaser, Robin. person
associatedWith Bogan, Louise, 1897-1970, person
associatedWith Borregaard, Ebbe. person
associatedWith Boyd, Bruce person
associatedWith Boyd, Bruce, person
associatedWith Boyd, Bruce. person
associatedWith Boyle, Kay, 1902-1992, person
associatedWith Brainard, Joe, 1942-1994. person
associatedWith Brautigan, Richard person
associatedWith Brautigan, Richard. person
associatedWith Bresmer, Ray person
associatedWith Bresmer, Ray, person
associatedWith Bronk, William. person
associatedWith Brossard, Chandler, 1922-1993 person
associatedWith Broughton, James, 1913-1999. person
associatedWith Charters, Ann. person
associatedWith Conze, Edward, 1904-1979. person
correspondedWith Corbett, William, 1942- person
associatedWith Corman, Cid. person
associatedWith Corso, Gregory. person
associatedWith Creeley, Robert, 1926-2005, person
associatedWith Davenport, Guy. person
associatedWith Davids, Kenneth, 1937- person
associatedWith Di Prima, Diane, person
associatedWith Di Prima, Diane, Archives person
associatedWith Dorn, Edward person
associatedWith Dorn, Edward, person
associatedWith Doss, Margot Patterson. person
associatedWith Doyle, Kirby. person
associatedWith Drummond, Hadley person
associatedWith Drummond, Hadley. person
associatedWith Duerden, Richard. person
associatedWith Dull, Harold. person
associatedWith Duncan, Robert, 1919-1988. person
associatedWith Dunne, Joe. person
associatedWith Dusenbery, Gail. person
associatedWith Eigner, Larry, 1927-1996, person
associatedWith Ellingham, Lewis. person
associatedWith Evergreen Press Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Everson, William, 1912-1994, person
correspondedWith Fagin, Larry. person
associatedWith Ferlinghetti, Lawrence. person
associatedWith Field, Edward, 1924- person
associatedWith Four Seasons Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Fowler, Gene, 1931- person
correspondedWith Freilicher, Jane, 1924- person
associatedWith Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997. person
associatedWith Gleason, Madeline. person
associatedWith Grey Fox Press. corporateBody
associatedWith Grove Press. corporateBody
associatedWith Guest, Barbara, person
associatedWith Hall, Donald, 1928- person
associatedWith Herd, Dale, 1940- person
associatedWith Herndon, James, 1926- person
associatedWith Hoyem, Andrew. person
associatedWith Ionesco, Eugène, person
associatedWith Kandel, Lenore. person
associatedWith Kaufman, Bob. person
associatedWith Kemp, Lysander, person
associatedWith Kerouac, Jack, 1922-1969. person
associatedWith Kerouac, Jack, 1922-1997 person
associatedWith Koller, James. person
associatedWith Kyger, Joanne. person
associatedWith Lamantia, Philip, 1927-2005. person
correspondedWith Lang, V. R., 1924-1956 person
associatedWith Levertov, Denise, 1923-1997, person
associatedWith Loewinsohn, Ron. person
associatedWith Mac Low, Jackson, person
associatedWith McClure, Michael. person
associatedWith Meltzer, David. person
associatedWith Miles, Josephine, 1911-1985. person
associatedWith Millward, Pamela. person
associatedWith Moore, Abd al-Hayy. person
associatedWith Moore, Daniel. person
associatedWith National Institute of Arts and Letters (U.S.) corporateBody
correspondedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith O'Hara, Frank, person
associatedWith O'Hara, Frank, 1926-1966. person
associatedWith Olson, Charles, 1910-1970. person
correspondedWith Oppenheimer, Joel person
correspondedWith Oyez Press corporateBody
associatedWith Parkinson, Thomas. person
associatedWith Persky, Stan, 1941- person
correspondedWith Phillips, Dennis person
associatedWith Phillips, Dennis. person
associatedWith Plymnell, Charles. person
associatedWith Pomy-Vega, Janine. person
associatedWith Primak, Ronald. person
associatedWith Rechy, John. person
associatedWith Rexroth, Kenneth, 1905-1982. person
associatedWith Rumaker, Michael, person
associatedWith Rumaker, Michael, 1932- person
associatedWith Saijo, Albert, 1926- person
associatedWith Salas, Floyd, 1931- person
associatedWith Sanders, Ed, person
associatedWith San Francisco State University corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco State University. American Poetry Archive. corporateBody
correspondedWith Saroyan, Aram. person
associatedWith Schaff, David. person
associatedWith Schuyler, James, person
correspondedWith Seelye, Catherine. person
associatedWith Seelye, Catherine M., 1926-1982. person
associatedWith Sheppard, Jeff. person
associatedWith Snyder, Gary, 1930- person
associatedWith Spicer, Jack. person
associatedWith Stanley, George, 1934- person
associatedWith Upton, Charles. person
associatedWith Waldman, Anne, 1945- person
associatedWith Welch, Lew person
associatedWith Welch, Lew. person
associatedWith Whalen, Philip, person
associatedWith Whalen, Philip. person
associatedWith Whalen, Philip. person
associatedWith Wieners, John, 1934-2002. person
associatedWith Williams, Jonathan, 1929-2008, person
associatedWith Williams, William Carlos, 1883-1963, person
associatedWith Yaddo (Artist's colony) corporateBody
associatedWith Zukofsky, Louis, 1904-1978, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
San Francisco (Calif.)
California
United States
Subject
American literature
Publishers and publishing
Publishers and publishing
Publishers and publishing
American poetry
Authors and publishers
Universities and colleges
Federal aid to the arts
Poetry
Poetry
Occupation
Authors, American
Poets, American
Editors
Activity

Person

Birth 1912

Death 2004-08-29

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6x066s8

SNAC ID: 16168674