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Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library© 2011 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.
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Papers of the Virginia Quarterly Review, #RG-24/3/1.071, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
The collection was an archival transfer from the Virginia Quarterly Review to Special Collections on June 21, 2007
The Virginia Quarterly Review was established in 1925 and was originally conceived by President Edwin Alderman in 1915. President Alderman wanted the University of Virginia to publish a national periodical that "was solidly based, thoughtfully and wisely managed and controlled ... a great serious publication wherein it shall be focused and set down the very best thought ... of men everywhere in the nation and the world on vital questions in the fields of Economics, Politics, Ethics, Literary Interpretation and Historical Analysis ...."
The first editor was James Southall Wilson, followed by Stringfellow Barr, Lambert Davis (who was able to maintain the journal through the Depression) Lawrence Lee, Archibald Shepperson, and Charlotte Kohler. The VQR was in the hands of its first woman editor during World War II when the men were away at war. Kohler's tenure lasted for an impressive thirty three years. In 1975 Staige Blackford became the editor and continued the high standards set by President Alderman until his retirement and death in 2003. The next editor was Theodore "Ted" Genoways who with support from key staff has continued to uphold the Virginia Quarterly Review as "a national journal of literature and discussion." (Quotes are taken from Staige Blackford's foreword in the Anthology of the 75th Anniversary publication, "We Write for Our Own Time")
The collection consists chiefly of editorial correspondence files and miscellaneous office files of Staige D. Blackford and Ted Genoways as editors of The Virginia Quarterly Review covering the years 1928; 1940; 1996-2006. There is also some correspondence from former editor Charlotte Kohler (editor 1946-1975) from the years 1958-1971. Included are files on copyright permissions and renewals, financial information, publicity, newspaper advertising (1940- 2006), contracts and correspondence with contributors, mailing lists, photographs, press releases, subscriptions and memorabilia. The collection is about 3,000 items, 6 hollinger boxes, and 2.5 linear feet.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by topic and the editorial correspondence with authors is alphabetical by last name.
Alex Burnham worked with Staige Davis Blackford, Jr. and the Virginia
Press to publish an anthology of essays from the Virginia Quarterly
Review for the 75
There is correspondence between Staige Blackford, Alex Burnham and the University Press about the book
Correspondence with Ted Genoways and the authors regarding acceptance and rejection of their work for the Virginia Quarterly Review
There is a list of authors that contributed to the Virginia Quarterly Review
There are signed contracts for authors who had work accepted by the Virginia Quarterly Review
Miscellaneous information about fiction, short story, and poetry awards
There are miscellaneous invoices; working orders; and printing costs for (Alex Burnham's) anthology, "We Write for Our Own Time." There is a letter from Kenneth E. Sinarski (auditor) to Ted Genoways mentioning the $830,000 surplus left by Staige D. Blackford and describing the financial condition of the VQR since Genoways took it over in July 2003 as well as balance sheets for 2003 and endowment fund summaries for 2004.
There is correspondence of Staige Blackford about endowment and investment funds (Balch, Weedon) and the question of whether or not the VQR had the authority to invest funds independently or invest through the University (the latter is what they did). Other correspondents include Kenneth E. Sinarski, and Leonard Sandridge. Also included are historical documents concerning the relationship between the VQR and the University (1955-1969) with correspondents such as Vincent Shea, Charlotte Kohler, C. F. Cassell, R. Sturgis Ingersoll, and Archibald B. Shepperson. There are also balance sheets from 1999 through 2002.
There is a list of honor advisors and memos to the faculty about the rules of the honor code.
There are license agreements and royalties for the Virginia Quarterly Review from UMI and Gale Group
There is correspondence about placement of advertisements in various schools, newspapers, magazines, and subscription agencies
There is information about marketing strategies, and subscription lists for the Virginia Quarterly Review
There are subscription cards for these years encouraging people to give the Virginia Quarterly Review as a gift
Included is a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia noting the sadness of the death of Staige D. Blackford and recognizing his achievements
Newspaper clippings about various topics but mostly regarding significant authors and literature
There is correspondence about the 75
There are photographs from the 75
There are photocopies of the table of contents for several issues
There are miscellaneous press releases about the Supreme Court, President Jimmy Carter, articles in the VQR and articles written by the University of Virginia Faculty
There is correspondence, photographs, and architectural designs regarding alterations to the office of the VQR, One West Range
Income tax forms for the VQR