James Baldwin correspondence with Orilla Miller Winfield
Content Description
Collection of twenty pieces of correspondence, including autograph and typed letters, signed, dating from 1955 to 1985 between American author James Baldwin and Orilla Winfield, who was employed by the Federal Theatre Project in New York City in the 1930s. Baldwin often referred to Winfield as "Bill Miller," using a nickname for Orilla and her surname before marriage. Letters concern literary, social, and personal matters, including their early collaboration at P.S. 124, where Baldwin assisted Winfield in putting on plays, as well as Baldwin's subsequent literary work, his involvement in the civil rights movement, and meetings between Baldwin and Winfield. Some letters are addressed to and from Orilla Winfield and her husband, Evan Winfield. Accompanied by seven letters, dating from 1977 to 1990, between Winfield and Baldwin's mother, Berdis E. Baldwin, and one autograph postcard, signed, to Winfield from Baldwin biographer David Leeming. Also accompanied by a digitized photograph of Baldwin with Orilla and Evan Winfield and digital recordings of an interview with Orilla Winfield, possibly by Lynn Scott.
Dates
- 1955 - 1990
Creator
- Baldwin, James, 1924-1987 (Author)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research
Existence and Location of Copies
The entire collection is available in digital form.
Conditions Governing Use
Digital files: Restricted fragile material. Access copies of digital files may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Lynn O. Scott and Kenneth Winfield, 2014.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
- American literature -- 20th century
- Audiovisual materials
- Authors -- United States -- 20th century
- Authors, American -- 20th century
- Baldwin, Emma Berdis Jones (Emma Berdis), -1999
- Born digital
- Civil rights movements -- United States
- Electronic documents
- Leeming, David Adams, 1937-
- Photographic prints
- Winfield, Orilla
- Title
- Guide to the James Baldwin Correspondence with Orilla Miller Winfield
- Author
- Michael Forstrom
- Date
- December 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.