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Wilma Dykeman Papers Concerning Explorations

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3754

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of four letters, one sample sketch, and one dust jacket related to the development of Wilma Dykeman's nonfiction book, Explorations, published in 1984. Correspondence is between Dykeman and the novel's artist, Jeff Johnson.

Dates

  • 1984

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This collection consists of four letters, one sample sketch, and one dust jacket related to the development of Wilma Dykeman's nonfiction book, Explorations, published in 1984.

Biographical/Historical Note

Wilma Dykeman (1920-2006) was a fiction and nonfiction writer whose works primarily focused on the people and land of Appalachia. An Asheville, N.C. native, she graduated from Biltmore Junior College in 1938 (now the University of North Carolina, Asheville) and then earned a bachelor's degree in speech from Northwestern University in 1940. That same year she married James R. Stokely Jr. The couple had two sons, Dykeman C. Stokely and James R. Stokely III. Throughout her life, Wilma Dykeman has been credited as an author, speaker, historian, teacher, and environmentalist. She taught at Berea College and at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the latter for more than 20 years.

The 1955 book, The French Broad, started Wilma Dykeman's career as an author and historian. In 1981, the state of Tennessee designated her as the honorary state historian until her death in 2006. She wrote several novels, including The Tall Woman (1962), The Far Family (1966) and Return the Innocent Earth (1973). During her extensive writing career, she authored or co-authored 20 books and five decades' worth of news columns and articles. She maintained homes in both Newport, Tenn. and Asheville.

Explorations, published in 1984, is a collection of essays by Dykeman, some of which appeared in her columns in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

This collection was donated to Special Collections in 2014.

Related Archival Materials

Interested researchers may wish to consult: MS.2516 Wilma Dykeman Papers Concerning The Far Family MS.3778 Wilma Dykeman Papers Concerning Highland Homeland MS.3800 Wilma Dykeman and James R. Stokely Jr. Papers

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480