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TABLE OF CONTENTS


Scope and Contents

Restrictions

Related Material

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Series I. Correspondence, 1965-1978

Series II. Translations

Series III. Other Kemp Manuscripts

Index

University of Texas, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center

Lysander Kemp:

A Preliminary Inventory of His Translations and Correspondence Relating to Octavio Paz in the Manuscript Collection at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center



Creator: Kemp, Lysander, 1920-1992
Title: Lysander Kemp Translations and Correspondence Relating to Octavio Paz
Dates: 1965-1979
Abstract: Much of this collection, containing materials gathered together by Lysander Kemp, concerns collaborations with Octavio Paz. The collection consists of correspondence between Kemp and Octavio Paz and manuscripts relating to the translation and publication of a number of Paz's poems and essays, 1965-1979.
Extent: 3 boxes, 5 galley files (1.26 linear feet)
Language: English and Spanish
Repository: The University of Texas at Austin, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center

Scope and Contents

Lysander Kemp (1920-1992) worked as a writer, professor, translator, and head editor of the University of Texas Press from 1966 to 1975. During his tenure at UT Press, he collaborated with Octavio Paz (1914-1998), a Mexican poet and essayist, on numerous translations and oversaw the publication of two collections of Paz's essays and criticism.

Much of this collection, containing materials gathered together by Lysander Kemp, concerns those collaborations. The collection consists of correspondence between Kemp and Octavio Paz and manuscripts relating to the translation and publication of a number of Paz's poems and essays, 1965-1979. The materials are arranged in three series: I. Correspondence, II. Translations, and III. Other Kemp Manuscripts. The materials are written in both Spanish and English.

The correspondence in Series I. is arranged alphabetically by the name of the correspondent. Three folders contain correspondence between Kemp and Paz, written between March 1965 and February 1978. Most of the letters concern the translated works: small quibbles over diction and syntax, discussion of the intended effect of various poems, and suggestions for revision. Much of the work included in Series II, Translations, is discussed. Some of the correspondence also concerns business matters, such as publication timelines and book marketing, and some of the correspondence is personal, as Kemp and Paz were longtime friends. Also present is correspondence from other figures involved with the publication of Kemp's translations of Paz, including professors and translators from numerous universities, publishers and editors from three small publishing presses, and other contemporary poets and authors, including poet Muriel Rukeyser.

The second series, Translations, contains manuscripts divided between poetry and essays, both arranged alphabetically by title. Included are poems and essays by Octavio Paz, with accompanying translations by Lysander Kemp and Margaret Peden. Also present are several typescripts of "The Bow and the Lyre" and "The Siren and the Seashell," galley proofs for "The Bow and the Lyre,""Conjunciones" and "The Siren and the Seashell," and a number of essays and poems authored by Lysander Kemp. Much of this work is discussed in the letters included in Series I.

The third series, Other Kemp Manuscripts, contains poetry and essays, both arranged alphabetically by title, and a folder of clippings and articles on Octavio Paz, arranged chronologically.

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Restrictions

Access:

Open for research

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Related Material

Additional Octavio Paz materials can be found in the following manuscript collections at the Ransom Center: Anvil Press, Stanley Burnshaw, El Corno Emplumado, London Magazine, Christopher Middleton, Margaret Sayers Peden, Peter Owen Ltd., and Charles Tomlinson.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition:

Gifts, 1966-1979 (G 376)

Processed by:

Delaney Hall and Daniel Harris 2006

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Container List

 

Series I. Correspondence, 1965-1978

Box Folder
1 1 Crow, John, 1977
2 Grove Press, 1969-1970
3 Ivask, Ivar, 1969
4 Laughlin, James, 1967-1971
Paz, Octavio
5 1965-1966
6 1967-1968
7 1969-1978
8 Peden, Margaret "Petch," 1970-1975
9 Rukeyser, Muriel, 1967-1968
10 University of Texas Press, 1966-1976
11 Miscellaneous, 1968-1970

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Series II. Translations

Poetry
Box Folder
1 12 A-L
13 M-Z
Essays
14 A
Box Folder
2 1-2* B (*galleys for "The Bow and the Lyre" removed to galley files)
3* C-L (*galleys for "Conjunciones" removed to galley files)
4 M-O
Box Folder
3 1-2 P
3* S [no T-Z] (*galleys for "The Siren and the Seashell" removed to galley files)

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Series III. Other Kemp Manuscripts

Box Folder
3 4 Essays
5 Poetry
6 Articles and clippings, 1965-1978

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 Index of Works 

  • Lysander Kemp
    • Arreola's Autobiography (essay)--3.4
    • Artillery Hill (poem)--3.5
    • The Cane Fields (poem)--3.5
    • Catarino Maravillas (poem)--3.5
    • The Conquest--3.5
    • La Conquista (poem)--1.5
    • Death of Refugio Godoy (poem)--3.5
    • Dithyrambic Elegy for Bolivar (poem)--3.5
    • The Family of the Night (poem)--3.5
    • The Fashions of La Libertad (poem)--3.5
    • Gods (poem)--3.5
    • Great Green (poem)--3.5
    • In Mexico (poem)--3.5
    • Metztli--3.5
    • "The poetry of St. John of the Cross..." (essay)--3.4
    • Remembering Cape Cod (poem)--3.5
    • Reveille (poem)--3.5
    • Simple Slumber (poem)--3.5
    • Song (poem)--3.5
  • Octavio Paz
    • Andre Breton: La Busqueda del Comienzo (essay)--1.14
    • The Balcony (poem)--1.5
    • The Bow and the Lyre: Essays (essays)--removed to galley file
    • Brindaban (poem)--1.5
    • Carta a Leon Felipe (poem)--1.12
    • El Caso de Pasternak (essay)--2.3
    • Cochin (poem)--1.12
    • Conjunciones (essay)--removed to galley file
    • Contigo (poem)--1.12
    • The Day in Udaipur (poem)--1.12
    • El Dia en Udaipur (poem)--1.12
    • E.E. Cummings (essay)--2.3
    • Entrada en la Materia (poem)--1.12
    • Entrance into Matter (poem)--1.12
    • Felicidad en Herat (poem)--1.6
    • Happiness in Herat (poem)--1.6
    • Un Himno Moderno (essay)--2.3
    • El Jinete del Aire (essay)--2.3
    • La Linea Central (essay)--2.3
    • Literatura de Fundacion (essay)--2.3
    • A Literature of Foundations (essay)--2.3
    • Mexico: the Last Decade (essay)--2.4
    • Mexico: Olimpiada de 1968 (poem)--1.6
    • Now (poem)--1.13
    • Perpetua Encarnada (poem)--1.13
    • Postdata (essay)--3.1
    • Presente (poem)--1.13
    • The Siren and the Seashell: Essays (essays)--3.3
    • Vrindaban (poem)--1.13
    • With You (poem)--1.12

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