Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes

Custodial History

It is unknown when this collection was aquired by the Greenwood Library Archives, however it is likley materials in this collection where compiled by Martha Cook and the English Department.

Biographical / Historical

The John Dos Passos Prize for Literature was founded at Longwood College (now University) in Farmville, VA in 1980. The prize is meant to honor one of the greatest--and most often ignored--American writers of the twentieth century by recognizing other writers in his name.

It is administered by a committee from the Department of English and Modern Languages; the chair of the committee also serves as the chair of the prize jury. Other members of the committee include the immediate past recipient and a distinguished critic, editor, or scholar.

Recipients of the prize are American creative writers who have produced a substantial body of significant publication that displays characteristics of John Dos Passos's writing: an intense and original exploration of specifically American themes, an experimental approach to form, and an interest in a wide range of human experiences.

Scope and Contents

The materials in the collection include emails, letters, newspaper clippings, cassettes, VHS tapes, memorabilia (awards and medals), book reviews, photographs, memorandums, and ledgers. Materials in the collection relate to Martha Cook, the winners of the Dos Passos award, and/or the jurors who served on the Dos Passos Award Committee.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into three series, Dos Passos Award Winners, including documents related to the winner, announcements, newspaper clippings etc. Administrative records incluing documents related to organizing events, history, and selection process, and Ephemera which include photos, publications and award designs.

Related Material

Dr. William C. Woods Dos Passos Prize Papers LU-076