R.G. Vliet / Russell G. Vliet Papers
1900 - 1986
bulk: 1960-1984
22 linear feet
44 boxes
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Acquisition: Purchased from Ann Vliet, 1993.
Access: Direct inquiries to Archivist, Albert
B. Alkek Library, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666-4604. (512) 245-2313.
Processed
by: Amanda Oates, 1999.
Biographical
Note:
Poet, novelist,
playwright, and short story writer Russell G. Vliet was born in Chicago, on
November 4, 1929. His father was a Naval medical officer, and the family lived in many parts of the U.S.,
largely in the south, and in American Samoa. R.G. Vliet attended Central High School (Class of 1948) in
Texas City, Texas, just south of Houston, and attended Southwest Texas State
University beginning in the Fall of 1948, where he wrote and acted in his own
plays. While at the university, he met Vida Ann Rutherford, of New Braunfels, a
fellow Speech and Drama major. The couple married on March 1, 1951, and had a
daughter, Brooke, in 1957. The Vliets received their B.S. degrees in Education in 1952, and R.G.
Vliet went on to complete his MasterÕs at SWT with the thesis, ÒExperiment in
lyric and dramatic verseÓ, in 1953. Vliet
then taught English for one year at BrownÕs School in Austin, and one
year at Rock Springs High School in the Texas Hill Country. Even though many of VlietÕs novels,
plays, and poems would be set in Texas and would win awards from Texan literary
institutions, Vliet would not live in Texas again, except for a six-month
period near the end of his life, in 1983.
In 1955, Vliet
went from teaching English to attending Yale University School of Drama, where
he studied playwrighting with Robert Penn Warren and others for one and a half
years. He left Yale to start his
own writing career, which began with a string of award winning plays. In 1957, his play, ÒThe Arid SpellÓ,
won the Wisconsin Award. In 1959, his play, ÒThe Regions of NoonÓ, was named
Southeastern Theatre Conference New Play of the Year. In 1960, while working as a Ford Foundation Fellow, his
play, ÒRockspringÓ, won the University of Nebraska Award. This play would later
be worked into VlietÕs first novel, of the same name. During this time, Vliet and his family lived in
Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Morelos, Mexico, traveling and relocating as his
wifeÕs college English teaching career, the familyÕs financial mainstay,
required.
In 1966, at the
age of 37, Vliet published his first book of poetry, Events and Celebrations.. It contained the poem ÒClem Maverick :
The Life and Death of a Country
Music SingerÓ, which would later be individually published by Shearer
Publishing, accompanied by woodcut illustrations by Barbara Whitehead. His
second book of poetry, The Man with the Black Mouth, was published in 1970. Each of these
books of poetry won the Voertman Poetry Award from the Texas Institute of
Letters.
From 1971 to
1982, Vliet wrote, and worked a small farm in Stamford, Vermont. He published
his first novel, Rockspring,
in 1974, at age 44, which sold only a few thousand copies. Despite the novelÕs relatively low
sales, Rockspring
earned Vliet $25,000 from the sale of movie rights to the work, the most money
he would receive for any of his literary efforts. His 1977 novel, Solitudes, (later reprinted under the name Soledad
) won the Texas
Institute of Letters Jesse Jones Award. At a time when large publishing houses
rarely took on poetry, Random House published his next book of poetry, Water
& Stone (1980). In 1983, he won a literary
fellowship which allowed him to spend six months writing at the late J. Frank
DobieÕs ranch, Paisano. This brief period was essentially the only time Vliet
spent in Texas after his schooldays and early teaching days. While there, he
began writing what would be his last novel, Scorpio Rising.
Vliet was
diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1972, and after a brief illness, the
disease went into remission. In 1982, Vliet learned that the lymphoma had come
out of remission, and had taken a strong grip on his health. The following
year, he was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater,
Southwest Texas State University. Despite serious illness from chemotherapy as
well as from the symptoms of the disease itself, Vliet continued work on his
last novel, Scorpio Rising,
completing it just days before his death. This novel, set in both Massachusetts
and Texas, is widely considered to be his best. Russell Gordon Vliet died of
lymphoma in North Adams, Massachusetts, in May, 1984.
Since his death,
VlietÕs novel Solitudes
was reprinted by Texas Christian University Press as Soledad, (1986), and cited in James Ward LeeÕs Classics
of Texas Fiction, in 1987. Rockspring was reprinted by Southern Methodist
University (1992), the play ÒRegions of NoonÓ was published in William MartinÕs
Texas Plays,
(Southern Methodist University Press,1990), and VlietÕs poetry will be featured
in a forthcoming anthology edited by Dave Oliphant. Malcolm Cowley, who served
as editor for Vliet and many other award-winning authors at Random House,
describes VlietÕs prose as Òa joy and a continual surprise. There is nobody
else with talent for evoking Texas as it was in the 1880s, nobody else who
gives us the same sharp feeling for landscape, animals, birds, changing skies,
and above all for people, as they lived out their solitary, violent lives full
of kindness, resentments, and hardships accepted without complaint. VlietÕs
writing is close to becoming a national treasure.Ó
Books published:
Novels:
Rockspring. New York : Viking Press, 1974.
Solitudes.
New York : Harcourt,
Brace, Jovanovich, 1977.
Soledad,
or Solitudes. (Texas Tradition Series, No. 6) College Station,
Tex. : Texas Christian University Press,
1986. (hardcover reprint)
Scorpio
Rising. New York :
Random House, 1985.
Poetry:
Events
and Celebrations : Poems .
New York : Viking Press, 1966, and
London : Bodley Head, 1967.
The
Man with the Black Mouth : Poems. Santa Cruz, Calif. : Kayak
Books, 1970.
Water
and Stone : Poems. New York : Random House, 1980.
Clem
Maverick , the life and death of a country music singer.
Bryan, Tex. : Shearer, Pub., 1983.
Scope
and Contents
Consisting
of notes, outlines, drafts, typescripts, correspondence, subject files,
photographs, newsclippings, artifacts, a scrapbook, legal, medical, and financial records, this material was
created and maintained by R.G. Vliet, with the exception of some material
maintained by his widow, Ann Vliet, after Mr. VlietÕs death. Dates range from
1900-1990 (bulk 1960-1984).
This
material documents the authorÕs writing process and career, covering the
various genres in which he worked, and demonstrating the creative overlap
between these genres (plays, poems, and short stories worked into novels, for
example). For each major work, extensive background notes, outlines, sketches,
drafts, handwritten copies, and typescripts exist, showing details of the
authorÕs creative method. Of special interest are the research files, drafts,
and correspondence relating to the authorÕs final, and posthumously published,
novel, Scorpio Rising.
Personal
items include photographs, a large scrapbook, newsclippings, notebooks,
medical, legal, and financial records, and several artifacts, such as clothing
and eyeglasses. This material offers a perspective on the personal lives of
R.G. and Ann Vliet.
Series Summary:
Series 1 :
Works
Subseries
A: Novels
Balcones (unfinished) (1 lin. ft.)
A
Friend in Sahara (unfinished)
(.5 lin. ft.)
Medina (unfinished) (.5 lin. ft.)
Rockspring (1974) (1 lin. ft.)
Scorpio
Rising (1984) (2 lin.
ft.)
Soledad (Solitudes) (1977) (2 lin. ft.)
Subseries
C: Poetry
Subseries
D: Stories
Subseries
E: Articles
Subseries
F: Speeches
Series 2 : Personal
Subseries
A : Correspondence
Subseries
B : Photographs
Subseries
C : Scrapbook
Subseries
D : Clippings
Subseries
E : Notebook (1955)
Subseries
F : Medical Records (1982-1989)
Subseries
G : Legal Records
Subseries
H : Financial Records (1964-1990)
Subseries
I : Computer disks (n.d.)
Subseries
J : Artifacts (1982, n.d.)
Series
Descriptions:
Series
1. Works:
Subseries
A: Novels (ca.1971-1984)
This subseries very clearly shows VlietÕs
process of writing from preliminary research through final product. It includes
extensive background research files including files by subject containing
clippings from newspapers and magazines, library call slips, color and black
and white photographs, and handwritten notes. Following these research files are drafts of chapters
handwritten in pencil, annotated typescripts, clean typescripts, and (minimal)
correspondence. Perhaps most meticulously documented is the process of writing Scorpio
Rising, VlietÕs last
novel, despite the fact that he was violently ill when writing it and died only
one week after completing it. The authorÕs widow, Ann Vliet, saw this novel
through to publication.
Subseries
B : Plays (1953-1980, n.d.)
Drafts
of plays (mostly handwritten in pencil and annotated) and typescripts (mostly
mimeographs or photocopies with annotations) are arranged in this subseries in
alphabetical order. For reviews
and further information regarding the authorÕs plays, see Series 2 : Personal,
Subseries D : Newsclippings.
Subseries
C : Poetry (n.d.)
Individual
handwritten and typed poems, and hand-bound books of poetry, comprise this
subseries. Many of the individual poems are accompanied by drafts, some are
single copies. Individual poems are arranged alphabetically, followed by books
of poetry, also arranged alphabetically. See also Series 2 : Personal,
Subseries C: Scrapbook, for early drafts of poetry.
Subseries
D : Stories (n.d.)
This
subseries includes short stories such as
ÒThe Morning of the First DayÓ, and ÒThe Morning and the Evening of the
First DayÓ. Many are complete stories, some are fragments or are in draft form.
Portions of these examples of VlietÕs early prose would later be worked into
the authorÕs novels.
Subseries
E : Articles and Essays (1960, n.d.)
Articles
and essays in this subseries relate to VlietÕs own writing process and
influences. All are in typescript form and most have handwritten annotations.
Subseries
F : Speeches (1978-1983, n.d.)
This
subseries includes drafts and typescripts of four speeches which address VlietÕs
writing process and influences. Also included here is the authorÕs acceptance
speech for the 1978 Texas Institute of Letters Award received for his novel, Solitudes.
Subseries
G : Subject Files (n.d.)
Handwritten
and typed notes, clippings, and
photocopies, arranged in alphabetical order by the authorÕs subject categories,
comprise the majority of this subseries. Also included are several folders of
topographical and road maps of various Texas counties and other locations.
Series 2 :
Personal
Subseries A
: Correspondence (1955-1985)
This
subseries is broken into two parts; Business Correspondence (1955-1984) and
Personal Correspondence (1958-1985). Business correspondence relates to VlietÕs
writing career, and covers such subjects as writing submissions, editing of
works to be published, royalties for published works. Correspondents include
various poetry and literary journals, Texas Institute of Letters, the Ford
Foundation, and VlietÕs agent, Lucy Kroll, of the Lucy Kroll Agency.
Two
non-correspondence files were filed by the author with this business
correspondence, and are located at the beginning of this group of
correspondence. The first of these, ÒMarket ListÓ, is a list of journals and
publishers to contact; the second file, ÒNotes on copyrightÓ, includes lists of
VlietÕs works and their copyright status (transfer of copyright, renewal dates
for copyright, etc.) and notes regarding royalties.
Personal
correspondence in this subseries includes letters to Vliet from long-time
friends such as Ruth Bloom, Harry Clauss, Alan Distler, John Haag, Ralph
Houston, and David Lyttle. Several letters from Vliet to Ralph Houston are also
included here, presumably sent to Ann Vliet after R.G. VlietÕs death. These
letters are of special interest in that they discuss VlietÕs writing and his
health. Correspondence from VlietÕs family include genealogical information,
and a letter from VlietÕs father, R.G. Vliet, Sr., regarding the use of the
name ÒR.G. VlietÓ in published materials.
Subseries
B : Photographs (ca. 1950-1980)
Photographs
in this subseries are divided into the following groups: photographs of R.G.
Vliet alone, Vliet and his immediate family, Vliet and extended family, Mexico
snapshots, friends, workspaces, and pets. Most are color snapshots from VlietÕs
personal life, most are not labeled with identifying information. See also
Subseries C : Scrapbook, for additional photographs, especially from VlietÕs
youth.
Subseries
C : Scrapbook (ca. 1929-1950)
This
scrapbook serves as VlietÕs baby book, and documents his activities as a Boy
Scout and Eagle Scout, his high school days (including his diploma), and
college days at Southwest Texas State University, as well as some examples of
his early poetry and sketches. Formats include photographs,
drawings,
newsclippings, pressed flowers, awards and badges, membership cards, letters,
drafts of poetry.
Subseries
D : Clippings (1960-1985)
Clippings
in this subseries cover subjects ranging from VlietÕs early play productions to
the posthumous publication of his last novel, Scorpio Rising.
These clippings were maintained by the author and filed along with play
programs for several plays. This original order has been maintained, so that
clippings regarding specific plays are filed here along with the play programs.
Subseries
E : Notebook (1955)
This subseries is comprised of VlietÕs
handwritten notes for a class taken at Yale School of Drama, ÒHistory of the
TheaterÓ, in 1955.
Subseries
F : Medical Records (1982-1989)
Records
in this subseries include correspondence, photocopied clippings, and doctorsÕ
reports regarding R. G. VlietÕs fight against lymphoma from 1982 until his
death in 1984. Also included are records relating to Ann VlietÕs health from to
1987-1989.
Subseries
G : Legal Records (1983-1986)
R.G.
VlietÕs Last Will and Testament (1983) is included in this subseries, along
with documents relating to a 1983 purchase of land in Kyle, Texas, and Ann
VlietÕs 1985-86 retirement and move to Kyle.
Subseries
H : Financial Records (1964-1990)
Check
registers, bank statements, tax receipts and notes comprise one-half of this
subseries. The second half includes financial notes and notebooks maintained by
R. G. Vliet, which document expenditures relating to research and writing and
may have been tax deductible.
Subseries
I : Computer disks (n.d.)
Eighty-six
5 1/4Ó floppy computer disks (with no print-outs) are included in this
subseries. Many are untitled or have fragments of labels.
Subseries
J : Artifacts (1982, n.d.)
One
award (from Southwest Texas State University) and several items of clothing, as
well as VlietÕs eyeglasses and case, are included in this subseries. The
embroidered white cotton shirt worn by Vliet at his daughterÕs wedding (see
Series 2 : Personal, Subseries B : Photographs) can also be found here.
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