Lysander Kemp: A Preliminary Inventory of His Translations and Correspondence Relating to Octavio Paz at the Harry Ransom Center

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

Much of the Lysander Kemp collection, containing materials gathered by Kemp, documents his collaborations with Octavio Paz. The collection consists of correspondence between Kemp and Paz and manuscripts associated with 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 in alphabetical order 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 translated works and note quibbles over diction and syntax, discussion of the intended effect of various poems, and suggestions for revision. Most of the works located in Series II. Translations are discussed in this correspondence. Other correspondence concerns business matters, such as publication timelines and book marketing. Some personal correspondence is also present, as Kemp and Paz were longtime friends. Also included is correspondence from other individuals 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.

Series II. contains both poetry and essay manuscripts, arranged in alphabetical order 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 correspondence in Series I.

Series III, Other Kemp Manuscripts, contains poetry and essays, arranged in alphabetical order by title, and a folder of clippings and articles on Octavio Paz, arranged in chronological order.