An Inventory of her papers & diaries at the University of
Manitoba Archives & Special Collections
Collection Summary
Repository:
University of Manitoba Archives & Special
Collections
Fort Garry Campus331 Elizabeth Dafoe LibraryWinnipeg, ManitobaR3T 2N2
Creator:
Dorothy Livesay
Title:
Dorothy Livesay
fonds
Dates:
1928-1997
Quantity:
1.66 m. of textual
material and 2 folders of graphic material including 4 scans & 34
photographs
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Biography of Dorothy Livesay
Dorothy Livesay was born in Winnipeg on October 12, 1909 to J.F.B. and Florence Randal Livesay. She was already a published poet with the publication of Green Pitcher in 1928, when she graduated with a B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1931. In 1937 she married Duncan Macnair, the couple would have two children Peter and Marcia. Livesay won the Governor General's Award for her book of poetry Day and Night in 1944. In 1947 her most critically acclaimed work Poems for People, captured a second Governor General's Award along with Lorne Pierce Gold Medal for Literature. That same year she was elected to the Royal Society of Canada. Following the death of her husband in 1959, Livesay worked for UNESCO for four years. She spent 1959-1960 in Paris while living in Northern Rhodesia from 1960-1963. She returned to Canada and received a Master's of Education from the University of British Columbia in 1966. Between 1965-1983 she was Writer-in-Residence at Universities all across Canada. In a literary career that spanneed seventy years, she wrote over two dozen books, received eight honorary degrees as well as a Person's Award in 1984, the Order of Canada in 1987 and the Order of British Columbia in 1992. Livesay died on December 29, 1996.
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Scope and Contents of the Collection
The fonds is divided into eight series. They include: biographical information, ideas and diary notes, correspondence, literary material with sub-series on contracts and letters of permission to publish Livesay material, UNESCO, published materials, rare material designated by Livesay and oversize material including honorary degrees & sketches by Livesay.
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Arrangement of the Papers
The fonds contains 1.66 m. of textual records, two folders of graphic material were added to PC 43 including 4 scans & 34 photographs. Books donated by Livesay have been kept with the collection or separated and dispersed throughout the library.
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Restrictions on Access
Livesay's daughter and her family have asked that their correspondence be restricted as well as some of Livesay's financial material.
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Restrictions on Use
Livesay's daughter and her family have asked that their correspondence be restricted as well as some Livesay's financial records.
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Detailed Description of the Collection
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BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION 1928-1997 9 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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1 |
1 |
Livesay funeral, including eulogy
1997 |
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2 |
Memorial service program
1997 |
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3 |
Obituaries & literary tributes
1997 |
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4 |
Academic records
1928-1966 |
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5 |
Articles containing information about Livesay
1972-1995 |
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6 |
Transcript of interview with Jane Shen
1985 |
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7 |
This Magazine 1989 |
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8 |
Canadian Forum 1990 |
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8a |
Published interviews of Livesay
1990-1991 |
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IDEAS & DIARY NOTES 1966-1990 6 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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1 |
9 |
Ideas & diary notes
1966-1985 |
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10 |
Diary notes
1969-1990 |
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11 |
Diary notes & dreams
1974-1984 |
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Box
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Folder
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2 |
1 |
Diary notes & dreams
1979-1981 |
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2 |
Diary notes & dreams
1980-1984 |
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3 |
Diary notes
1990 |
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CORRESPONDENCE 1937-1995 7 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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2 |
4 |
Xeroxes of correspondence with William "Lon" Lawson
1937-1981 |
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5C |
Correspondence with daughter Marcia Hays & family
1959-1990 |
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6C |
Re: Will & Deed of Gift with University of Manitoba
Archives
1975-1989 |
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7 |
Correspondence with son Peter Macnair
1978-1981 |
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8 |
Correspondence
1977-1996 |
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9 |
Correspondence mainly B.C. Writer's Association and
Nanoose Conversion Campaign
1987-1989 |
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10 |
Correspondence with son Peter
1987-1990 |
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DIARIES, JOURNALS & VISITATION BOOK 1983-1996 7 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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3 |
1 |
Diary & dreams
1983-1990 |
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2 |
Daily journal
1990-1991 |
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3 |
Handwritten notes for poems & ideas
ca. 1985 |
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4 |
Diary notes
1991 |
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5 |
Peter's duty book
1992-1993 |
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6 |
Livesay daybooks
1992-1993 |
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7 |
Visitation books
1993-1996 |
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CORRESPONDENCE 1965-1995 59 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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4 |
1 |
Correspondence with son Peter
ca. 1965-1989 |
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2C |
Correspondence with Hay family
1975-1995 |
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3 |
Erma & Ingham Suttcliffe
1976-1987 |
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4 |
Re: holdings at University of Manitoba Archives
ca. 1985 |
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5C |
National Appraisal Board value of University of Manitoba
Livesay holdings
1978 |
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6C |
Annuity with Zurich Life
1979-1988 |
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7 |
Memorial Society of British Columbia
1981-1991 |
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8C |
Marian Hebb lawyer representing Livesay in dealings with
University of Manitoba
ca. 1985 |
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9 |
Correspondence
1983 |
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10 |
Inventory of material in the University of Manitoba
Archives
ca.1983 |
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11 |
Re: Livesay papers
1984-1991 |
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12 |
James Deahl
1984-1986 |
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13 |
Correspondence
1989 |
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14 |
Correspondence Re: Copyright of material at University of
Manitoba Archives
1989-1990 |
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15 |
Canadian Copyright Institute
1989-1991 |
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16 |
Wayne Tefs & notes for speech at University of
Manitoba
1990 |
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17 |
University of North Dakota Writer's Conference
1990-1991 |
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18 |
George Woodcock includes articles about
1990-1992 |
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19 |
Canada Council Writer's A grant
1990-1991 |
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20C |
Correspondence maily with Dr. Clayton Robinson
1990-1992 |
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Box
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Folder
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5 |
1 |
Correspondence
1988-1993 |
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2 |
Correspondence with University of Manitoba Archives
1989-1992 |
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3 |
Dispute with Earl Birney
1989-1990 |
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4 |
Correspondence & booklet on libel
1990-1992 |
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5 |
Letters from Wayne Tefs grade 11 class at St. John's
Ravenscourt in Winnipeg
1992 |
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6 |
Correspondence to Livesay through her executrix Jay
Stewart
1992 |
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7 |
Correspondence to and about Livesay answered by Jay
Stewart
1992-1994 |
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8 |
B.C. Bookworld 1994-1997 |
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Box
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Folder
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6 |
1C |
Correspondence re: burial & dispersement of estate
1990-1991 |
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2 |
Voice of Women
1990-1992 |
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3 |
Ontario Arts Council
1990 |
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4C |
I.O.U. from grandson Randal Macnair
1991 |
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5 |
Can lit
1991 |
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6 |
Douglas Manor rent
1991 |
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7 |
Leon Edel
1991 |
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8 |
Public lending rights
1991-1992 |
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9 |
C.B.C.
1991-1992 |
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10 |
Canada Council
1991-1992 |
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11 |
Correspondence with niece Jill Re: Livesay's sister
Sophie's death
1991-1992 |
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12 |
Family correspondence
12 |
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13C |
Health file
1992 |
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14 |
Declined invitations
1992 |
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15 |
Kim Lulashynk
1992 |
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16 |
League of Canadian Poets
1992 |
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17 |
Livesay Heritage Tour, genealogy of family
1992 |
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18 |
Order of British Columbia
1992 |
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19 |
North & Pacific Women's Writing Society
1992 |
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20 |
Order of Canada
1992 |
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Box
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Folder
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7 |
1 |
Correspondence
1992 |
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2 |
Unitarian Church
1992 |
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2a |
Peter Stevens
1992 |
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3 |
University of Manitoba Archives
1992-1993 |
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4 |
Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canada
1992 |
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5 |
Fan mail, includes poems sent by children at York House
School
1992 |
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6 |
Correspondence with various Universities
1992 |
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7 |
Christmas & birthday cards
1992-1995 |
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8 |
Hutchison family
1993-1994 |
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9 |
Poem about Livesay by Chris Nancarrow
1993 |
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10 |
Correspondence
1993-1995 |
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11 |
Ann Kerr
1993-1994 |
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12 |
Anne Gee
1993-1997 |
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13 |
Jimmie & Annie Campbell
1994-1996 |
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Box
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Folder
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8 |
1C |
Daughter Marcia & family
1993-1994 |
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2 |
Christmas & birthday cards
1993 |
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3 |
Correspondence through Jay Stewart
1994-1995 |
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4 |
Correspondence through Jay Stewart
1996 |
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5 |
Letters of condolence to Livesay's son Peter &
daughter-in-law Jay
1996-1997 |
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6 |
Condolence cards
1997 |
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LITERARY MATERIAL
1977-1992 7 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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8 |
7 |
Book reviews
1977-1992 |
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8 |
Reviews\publicity
1987-1992 |
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9 |
The Husband 1990 |
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10 |
Awakenings 1991 |
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11 |
Awakenings 1991 |
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12 |
Draft of article "The Writing Game"
ca.1991 |
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13 |
New poems
1991 |
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Correspondence
1994-1997 7 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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9 |
1C |
Marcia & family
1994-1996 |
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2 |
Erica Ransom
1995-1996 |
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3 |
Get well cards
ca. 1995 |
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4 |
Correspondence
1995-1996 |
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5C |
Marcia
1995-1996 |
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6 |
Correspondence & poetry from Laura Anne Birthwhistle
1996 |
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7 |
The Canadian Writers' Foundation Inc. - Dorothy Livesay
Memorial Fund
1997 |
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LETTERS OF PERMISSION
1991-1996 6 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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9 |
8 |
Money received from letters of permission to utilize
Livesay material
1991-1992 |
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9 |
Letters of permission
1992 |
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10 |
Letters of permission
1992-1993 |
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11 |
Letters of permission to publish in various Anthologies
1994-1996 |
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12 |
Letters of permission
1995-1996 |
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13C |
Royalty statements
1992-1996 |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
1987-1997 7 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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10 |
1 |
Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series
1988 |
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2 |
Journey with Myselves 1987-1991 |
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3 |
Copy of contract with Marc Cote
1988 |
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4 |
Douglas & McIntyre Re: Journey
1989 |
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5 |
Douglas & McIntyre correspondence includes reviews
1992 |
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6 |
Ragweed Press correspondence
1991-1992 |
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7 |
Proposal from Arsenal Press Re: Unpublished Livesay
material
1997 |
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LITERARY MATERIAL
1980-1994 19 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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10 |
8 |
Short story - "A Beetle Story"
ca. 1980 |
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9 |
"Not in Our Stars" memoir of growing up in Toronto
ca. 1984 |
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10 |
"The Writing Game"
ca. 1987 |
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11 |
"On Birthing"
1984 |
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12 |
Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series
Volume 8 1987 |
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13 |
Program of THe Elmer Isler Singers putting Livesay poems
to music, St. Boniface R.C. Church, Scarborough, Ontario
ca.1990 |
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14 |
Xeroxed copies of poems
ca.1990 |
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15 |
Transcript of Livesay discussing new book venture
1991 |
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16 |
Readings of work
1992 |
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17 |
Material used in reading
1992 |
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18 |
Dorothy Livesay Poetics of Desire 1992 |
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Box
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Folder
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11 |
1C |
Royalty statements
1991-1992 |
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2C |
Royalty statements
1994 |
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3C |
Will & Life Insurance Policy
1980-1981 |
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4C |
Old wills
1980-1991 |
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5C |
Globe & Mail 1989-1992 |
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6C |
Power of Attorney
1991 |
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7C |
Canada Council application
1991 |
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8 |
Commemorative material from Livesay's Honorary Degree from
the University of Victoria
1990 |
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9 |
Events calendar
1993-1994 |
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UNESCO material
1958-1967 4 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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11 |
10 |
UNESCO publications
1958-1963 |
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11 |
Rhodesian material collected during Livesay's stay in
Africa
1960-1963 |
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12 |
Zambian material
1964 |
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13 |
Anti-apartheid Group, Canada
1967 |
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PUBLISHED MATERIAL
1927-1994 16 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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12 |
1 |
Three Poems, Poetry of Today, A Quarterly "Extra" of the
Poetry Review
1927 |
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2 |
The Canadian Bookman 1939 |
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3 |
The Canadian Author & Bookman 1948 |
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4 |
Voices A Quarterly of Poetry 1948 |
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5 |
Queen's Quarterly 1953 |
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6 |
Copperfield 1969 |
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7 |
Athanor 1981 |
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8 |
Room of One's Own 1979 |
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9 |
West Coast Review 1986 |
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10 |
Mosaic 1970 |
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11 |
Raven 1981 |
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12 |
Beneath the Surface 1988 |
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13 |
Canadian Women Studies 1992 |
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14 |
Eight poems, translated to hindu
ca. 1990 |
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15 |
Canadian Forum 1990 |
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16 |
(m)other Tongues issue dedicated to Livesay
1994 |
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RARE MATERIAL
1820-1941 2 folders |
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Folder
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12 |
17 |
Letter written by Leigh Hunt (1784-1859) contemporary of
John Keats
ca.1820 |
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18 |
The Dry Salvage, T.S.Eliot, Faber & Faber: London
1941 |
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MISCELLANEOUS
1945-1989 4 folders |
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Folder
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12 |
19 |
American Scholar 1980 |
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20 |
First Statement ca. 1945 |
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21 |
Mississauga Magazine 1989 |
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22 |
Comox Free Pres 1980-1982 |
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OVERSIZE MATERIAL
1983-1990 8 folders |
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Box
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Folder
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13 |
1 |
Athabasca College, Honorary Degree
1983 |
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2 |
Person's Award, Ottawa
1984 |
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3 |
University of Toronto, Honorary Degree
1987 |
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4 |
Simon Fraser University, Honorary Degree
1987 |
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Folder
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14 |
1 |
University of Victoria, Honorary Degree
1990 |
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2 |
University of British Columbia, Honorary Degree
1990 |
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3 |
Livesay sketches from Galiano Island
ca.1985 |
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4 |
Phases of Love, poster for Livesay reading at University
of Toronto Bookroom
1983 |
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PHOTOGRAPHS (PC) 43
1945-1995 4 scans & 34 photographs |
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Box
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Folder
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1 |
1 |
Scans: 1. Livesay at Literary Storefront with Mona Fertog
& Tom Wayman 1979 2. Writers' Review Playhouse, Vancouver (names on back)
1980 3. Livesay at Literary Storefront, 1982 , 4. Livesay & her sister
Sophie at their father's grave at Erindale, Ontario, 1989
1979-1989 |
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2 |
Photographs: 1. Photo of tomb 2-6 Livesay bust at Victoria
College, Toronto ca.1994, 7. Family home in Toronto ca. 1994, 8. Eugenia Lawson
ca. 1945, 9. William Lon Lawson ca.1945 10. Phil Mesmer, Wilson & Edith
Hunsberger & Lynn Seaborn 11-13. Hays home & garden?, ca.1992 14. Anne
& Charles Gee wedding, 1994 15. Cheryl Hutchison & Richard Hollinger
wedding, 1995 16-17. Sophia Livesay Stewart gravesite, Ireland 1991. 18-25.
Livesay receiving Honorary Degree from University of Victoria, 1990. 26.
Livesay on Cornwall St. in Victoria, 1990. 27. Livesay with Leslie Hanson,
reading & book signing at Camousan College, 1992. 28. Grandson Johnathon
Hays, ca. 1990. 29-30. Granddaughter Martha Hays, 1994 . 31-32. Daughter Marcia
Hays, granddaughter Martha Hays and Daughter-in-law Jay Stewart, 1994 33.
Marcia, Martha & son Peter Macnair, 1994. 34. Marcia Hays
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