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Kathryn Stripling Byer Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0437

Abstract

Kathryn Stripling Byer, typically referred to as Kay, was the first woman and fifth overall North Carolina Poet Laureate, from 2005-09. This collection consists of a large amount of Kathryn's poems. Many of these poems are drafts, hand-written or annotated versions of the poem. Included in this collection are 8 of Kathryn's publications (books and chapbooks), however these pieces are found in folders as individual papers.

Dates

  • 1973 - 2019

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is ready for research

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical / Historical

Kathryn Stripling Byer, typically referred to as Kay, was the first woman and fifth overall North Carolina Poet Laureate, from 2005-09. Kay Byer received her bachelor's degree from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and received her MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After finishing school, Byer became the poet-in-residence first at Western Carolina University (1988-98), next at UNCG (1995), and lastly at Lenoir-Rhyne College (1999). Kathryn has won many awards for her writings, including the Southern Book Prize for Catching Light and Descent, two books which are featured in this collection. By the end of her career, Kathryn had published 6 large collections of poetry and multiple chapbooks, along with a few essays. (A chapbook is a small collection of poems, usually about 10-30 total) In 2012, Kay was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. Byer passed away in 2017, at the age of 72 from lymphoma.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Collection consists of the following series: 1. News Stories I. Newspapers II. News Articles/Interviews III. Programs/Invitations/Advertisements 2. Awards 3. Recordings 4. Correspondence 5. Publications 6. Pictures 7. Miscellaneous 8. Writings not by Kathryn 9. Handwritten Notes 10. General Poems 11. Longer writings, not poems 12. Pre-Organized by Kathryn Folders 13. Books and Chapbooks: I. Alma II. Black Shawl III. Catching Light IV. Coming to Rest V. Descent VI. The Wind Passing Through VII. Wildwood Flower 14. Oversized Poems and Newspapers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Estate of Kathryn Stripling Byer

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.

Title
Kathryn Stripling Byer Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
P.O. Box 26170
320 College Ave.
Greensboro NC 27402-6170 US
336-334-5246