Donald Barthelme was born in Philadelphia in 1931 to parents Donald Barthelme Sr. and Helen (Bechtold) Barthelme. In 1932, the family moved to Houston, where Donald Barthelme Sr. developed an architectural practice and taught at the University of Houston and Rice University. Barthelme had four younger siblings: Joan (born 1932), Peter (born 1938), Frederick (born 1943), and Steven (born 1947).
Barthelme enrolled at the University of Houston in 1949, where he took
courses in journalism, literature, creative writing, and philosophy. He became
a reporter, critic, and editor for the school's newspaper,
In July 1951, he left the University of Houston for a job at the
In 1961, Barthelme's short story "The Darling Duckling at School"
(later renamed "Me and Mrs. Mandible") appeared in the journal
In 1964 Barthelme released his first collection of stories,
Barthelme remains best known for Sixty Stories, a 1981 anthology of his finest work from the sixties and seventies. Sixty Stories was nnominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 1982.
Donald Barthelme taught creative writing at City College in New York from 1974-75. In 1979, he was invited to teach in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston. Initially he taught in Houston one semester a year, while continuing to live in New York City. In 1983, Barthelme moved to Houston to become a full-time professor. A beloved teacher, he eventually became director of the Creative Writing Progam, a position he held until his death.
This collection contains typescript drafts, galley proofs, and page proofs of Donald Barthelme's novels, collected works, short stories, and other writings, plus collages and collage stories created by Barthelme. One of the richest aspects of the collection is the large set of letters and cards from Barthelme's writing friends and colleagues. The collection also includes about a dozen photographs of Barthelme. In addition, material related to Barthelme's teaching career is incorporated, notably student works that Barthelme received during his years in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston.
Each series is prefaced by a detailed description.
Terms are either Library of Congress Subject Headings or taken from local sources.
This collection was acquired in 2002 from Marion Barthelme.
A few miscellaneous items already owned by the University of Houston
Libraries were added to the collection. Typescripts of the short stories "City
Life," "City Life II," and "A Dream" were purchased from Joseph the Provider
Books in the 1980s. Four typescripts of Donald Barthelme's
The University of Houston Libraries also hold the Donald Barthelme
Open for research.
Special Collections owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, locating copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form. For more information, consult the appropriate librarian.
Photocopy decisions will be made by Special Collections staff on a case-by-case basis. Patrons are responsible for obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders.
Donald Barthelme Literary Papers, Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries
Julie Grob, 2005
This series traces the preparatory stages for Barthelme's published works, which were primarily collections of short stories or novels. The material related to a single work may include typescripts, page layouts, galley proofs, page proofs, dust jackets, and other formats. Materials are arranged in order of their production, beginning with typescripts and ending with dust jackets. Some of the short story collections include bound volumes which collected typescripts, photocopied drafts, and the printed pages of previously published stories together. Prior to 1975, Barthelme rarely kept early drafts of his work.
This series includes short stories in manuscript or typescript form. Barthelme rarely kept early drafts of his work, so many of these stories are in a finished or nearly finished stage and show minimal editing by the author. Some galley proofs, tear sheets, and paste ups are also included.
Typescripts and other materials related to plays by Donald Barthelme or adapted from his work.
Two fragments of poems by Barthelme.
A variety of non-fiction material is gathered in this series. Most
of it is essays written for publication, such as the pieces published
anonymously in the "Notes and Comments" section of
This series includes the artwork and "collage stories" that Barthelme created by gluing engravings, woodcuts, and pieces of clip art to posterboard or other backgrounds. Some loose collage pieces have been reglued to their backgrounds using reversible wheat starch paste.
Correspondence written to Donald Barthelme has been arranged alphabetically by the last name of the sender. Whenever a single correspondent had six or more letters in the collection, a separate folder was created. There is one folder of correspondence from Donald Barthelme to others.
An interview with Barthelme was published in the Summer 1981 issue
of the
Reviews of Barthelme's works, primarily from newspapers and magazines. Reviews on acidic newsprint have been photocopied onto less acidic paper.
Reviews of Barthelme's work in languages other than English.
Articles about Barthelme, the Houston/Texas writing scene, and some of his friends.
This series contains literary criticism and student papers about Barthelme's work.
This series contains materials related to Barthelme's teaching career at the University of Houston, including some of the assignments he gave his writing classes. The folder containing class enrollment and grades is closed to the public for privacy reasons.
One folder of material related to Barthelme's teaching career at the City College of New York.
Barthelme was a member of the writers' association PEN American Center, serving as its vice president for the period 1977-1979. Most of the material in this series relates to the planning of the 48th International PEN Congress, which was held in New York City in 1986. Copies of papers that were delivered on the topic of "The Writer's Imagination and the Imagination of the State," are included.
Awards and certificates received by Barthelme, including the National Book Award and the French Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and related materials.
Contracts, 1975-1997
This folder contains royalty statements.
This folder contains only a single membership roster for the Texas Institute of Letters.
Photographs of Donald Barthelme alone or with his wife or fellow writers. Of special note is the photograph from the "Postmodernists Dinner" arranged by Barthelme in 1983, which includes leading writers who were described by critics as postmodern in style.
Most notable in this series are biographical notes about Donald Barthelme, and a photocopy of his appointment book from 1979.
Works submitted to Barthelme by students in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston.
Works submitted to Barthelme by undergraduate students at the University of Houston.
Primarily typescripts and photocopies of works by other writers. A
galley proof of William Gass'